† 1. A bargain. Good cope: cf. good cheap, F. bon marché. Obs.
1562. J. Heywood, Prov. & Epigr. (1867), 77. The Ducheman saieth, that seggyng is good cope.
c. 1590. Greene, Fr. Bacon, Wks. (Rtldg.), 157/1. Maids, when they come to see the fair, Count not to make a cope for dearth of hay.
† 2. God’s cope: a proverbial expression for a very large sum. Obs. [App. belongs here.]
1520. Whitinton, Vulg. (1527), 13. He wolde spende goddes cope [Tantaleas opes] yf he had it.
1532. Dice Play (Percy Soc.), 27. He that will not stoop a dodkin at the dice, per chaunce at cardes will spend God’s cope.
1553. T. Wilson, Rhet., 72. He will spende Goddes coope if he had it.
3. Derbyshire Mines. A duty paid by the miner for permission to raise lead-ore. [See quot. 1747, and COPE v.3 4.]
1631. Star Chamb. Cases (Camden), 91. The said Mr Carrier … had likewise taken a farme or lease of the tythe oare, called the lott and cope, from his Majestie, under the seale of the Dutchy of Lancaster.
a. 1661. Fuller, Worthies, I. 229. The Lord for Lot, hath the thirteenth dish of Oar, within their Mine, and six pence a load for Cope.
1747. Hooson, Miner’s Dict., F j. Any Miner is said to have a Groove [= digging, mine] or Cope, when he takes the said Groove or Bargain to get or raise the Ore, at a certain Price per Load, for some certain time.
1815. Farey, View Agric. Derbyshire, I. 365. In the measuring of [Lead] Ore at present, every 25th Dish … is taken … as the King’s Lot, Cope, or Duty.
1851. Act 14 & 15 Vict., c. 94. § 9. (High Peak Customs Act) The Lessee for the Time being of the Duties of Lot and Cope.
4. Comb., as cope-money.
1815. Farey, View Agric. Derbyshire, I. 366. It is not customary for the owners to advance any of the Cope-money on account.
