1-158-187 - Oxford Science Archive/Heritage Images

Preparation of copper and silver to be alloyed for production of coins, 1683. Copper is melted (1) while an apprentice (9) soaks birch twigs in water. When the copper is poured onto the twigs it forms grains. It is then ready to be alloyed with silver being heated at (7). From a 1683 English edition of Beschreibung allerfurnemisten mineralischen Ertzt by Lazarus Ercker, first published in 1580.