A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Prime, Pryme, n.2 [e.m.F. prime ‘a small Goldsmith's weight, whereof 24 make but one grain’ (Cotgrave, 1611).] ‘A subdivision of any standard measure … which is itself subdivided in the same ratio into seconds … ; in Scottish Troy weight for gold and silver, of a grain, itself consisting of 24 seconds.' (OED). —1604 James VI Proclamation for Coynes 16 Nov. (table) (OED s.v. Prime n.2).
[Table of Scottish Weights of Coins] Deniers 24. Graines 24. Primes 24. Seconds 24. Thirds 24. Fourths 24 c 1604 Cochran-Patrick Coinage I 278; etc.
The difference betuix our wechtis and the Inglische is thair pund consisting of 12 wnces callit the Troy pund and our proportional thairto weyis twelf vnces 5 deneiris 9 graynes 18 prymes 1641 Ib. xxxii.
The pund Troy English consisting of 12 oz … is equall to 12 oz 5 drs 9 gr 18 pr Scots or 169,002 primes Scots so that 12 oz trois are lyghter then the 12 oz troy be 3114 prs Scots 1647 Ib. lxxx.
So that the lb weight of the Mint of Scotland is lighter then the Deane of Gilds lb by 2 deniers lakeing one graine and so the oz by 3 pr, lakeing the 144 pt of a graine or 1 ½ pryme Ib. lxxxi. c 1650 Ib. lxvi.
We try … the fynnes of our silver ingots … by subtile weights of 12 deniers for vtter fynne, everie deniere being subdivided into 24 graines, everie graine into 24 prymes, everie pryme into 24 seconds, seconds into 24 thirds and so fourth Ib. lxviii, etc. 1663 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. I 451.
And ordaines the weight of the tuo merk peice to be ten deneirs, threttein graines, nyntein prymes 1675 Ib. IV 360.
