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British Settlements
In Demerara, Essequibo and Berbice, accounts are stated in dollars of 100 cents. And the currency consists, besides dollars and British coins, of notes for $5, $10, and $20 each (payable in silver), which are issued by the Bank of British Guiana and a branch of the Colonial Bank. Gold doubloons are sometimes in circulation, especially when the exchange is low, when they are sent from Barbadoes and other W. I. islands to purchase bills on England.
Prior to 1840, accounts were kept in florins or guilders, each of 16 stivers. This florin was worth about IS. 5d. sterling.
Measures and weights chiefly British. The Dutch ell of 26 inches = 27 Imp. inches; and 110 lbs. Dutch = 100 lbs avoirdupois.