Lawful, lawful money

Three-quarters of sterling money.

1771.  At the rate of Fifteen Hundred Sterling or Two Thousand L.M. per Ann.—Boston-Gazette, Oct. 7.

1774.  Pomade, “price 3s. L.M. per pot”; tooth-powder, “2/6 L.M. per bottle,” advertised in The Newport Mercury, Sept. 5.

1774.  Upon the debate for raising money to purchase military articles, a thousand pound (lawful, a fourth less than sterling) was moved for and seconded.—W. Gordon, ‘Hist. Am. Revol.,’ i. 413 (Lond., 1788).

1778.  It takes forty dollars to purchase a barrel of cider; fifty pounds lawful for a hundred of sugar, and fifty dollars for a hundred of flour.—A. Adams, ‘Familiar Letters,’ (1876), p. 343. (N.E.D.)

1783.  In George Washington’s account, the total is stated as “£.19,306. 11. 9 lawful money of Virginia, the same as the Massachusetts, or £.14,479. 18. 9³/₄ sterling.”