In contrast with this all the succeeding periods have, up to 1660, a distinct character and statistical bearing. An enormous and ever-increasing advance in general prices occurs, but it is no longer, as before, on level lines of the two metals equally. The proportion of the production of the two metals changes, so rich was the yield of the silver mines of Potosi. From being the same with that of gold, the value of silver produced suddenly rises to three times and then to four times that of its rival; and at once the ratio changes, bringing with it all its accompaniment of feverish instability and flux.
[Sidenote: STATEMENT OF THE RATIO, 1500-1660]
The average result in the ratio was as follows:--
1545-60 11.30 1561-80 11.50 1581-1600 11.80 1601-20 12.25 1621-40 14.00 1641-60 14.50 1661 15.0
As far as can be ascertained the detailed statement of the ratio during the whole period, 1500-1660, is as follows:--
+------+------+------+-------+------+---------+------------+-------+------+ | | | N | | | | | | | | | | e | | | | | | | | | E | t | | | Germany |S.W. Germany| | | | Date.| n | h |France.|Spain.|(Imperial|(Wurtemburg,|Venice.| Date.| | | g | e | | | System).| Strasburg, | | | | | l | r | | | | Colmar). | | | | | a | l | | | | | | | | | n | a | | | | | | | | | d | n | | | | | | | | | . | d | | | | | | | | | | s | | | | | | | | | | .