Note 8 — Chapter XXXIV · AND LAST (continued 2)
Henry Yule translation
He also states the grosso to have been worth 32
piccoli
, which is consistent with this and the two preceding statements. For at 3·2
lire
to the ducat the latter would = 768 piccoli, and ¹⁄₂₄ of this = 32 piccoli. Pegolotti also assigns 24 grossi to the ducat (p. 151).
The tendency of these Lire, as of pounds generally, was to degenerate in value. In Uzzano (1440) we find the Ducat equivalent to 100 soldi, i.e. to 5 lire.
Everybody seems to be tickled at the notion that the Scotch Pound or Livre was only 20 Pence. Nobody finds it funny that the French or Italian Pound is only 20 halfpence, or less!