1750 this state minted double, single, and half-pistoles, under the name, Friedrichs d'or, on the basis of 35 to the mark, 21 3⁄4 carats fine, for the single piece.
From 1770 the standard was lowered to 21 2⁄3 carats, and at this it was confirmed by the law of September 1821.
The ascertained mintings of these were as follows:—
| 1764-86 | 29,599,482 1 ⁄ 2 | thalers. |
|---|---|---|
| 1787-1808 | 26,515,490 | " |
| 1809-36 | 13,922,960 | " |
But long before 1840 almost the whole of this amount had disappeared or been melted down. Page 382
In state payments the Friedrich d'or was taken at 5 thalers, but in ordinary commerce up to 1783 they were taken at 5 1⁄4 thalers, a tariff which gradually rose to 5 1⁄3 and 5 1⁄2 thalers. The purchases of gold which the Bank of England made in 1816, in order to its resumption of cash payments, drove the pistole or Friedrich d'or