---
entity_slug: exchequer
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T05:24:34.805640'
overall_score: 4.4
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly identifies the exchequer as a specific institutional
    entity (royal treasury and financial administration) with a distinct operational
    characteristic (receiving payments by weight rather than tale). The definition
    is precise and non-circular, though it could be slightly more detailed about the
    administrative functions.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is directly grounded in Smith's text from Book I, Chapter
    4, where he specifically discusses the exchequer's practice of receiving money
    by weight even after the introduction of coined money. The context accurately
    reflects Smith's historical example about the transition in monetary systems.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The "Regulation" domain is perfectly appropriate for the exchequer, as
    it represents a governmental regulatory and administrative institution responsible
    for financial oversight and revenue collection. This clearly falls within the
    regulatory apparatus of the state's economic system.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The exchequer maps well to VSM System 3 (internal regulation/audit) as
    it represents the regulatory and monitoring function for financial flows within
    the economic system. It could also have elements of S1 (primary operations) in
    its revenue collection role, making it a strong fit for VSM analysis.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity provides genuine explanatory value by illustrating the institutional
    mechanisms behind monetary transition and the conservative nature of administrative
    systems. It demonstrates how regulatory institutions adapt gradually to technological
    changes (coined money), revealing important structural dynamics in economic systems.
---

# Evaluation: Exchequer

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly identifies the exchequer as a specific institutional entity (royal treasury and financial administration) with a distinct operational characteristic (receiving payments by weight rather than tale). The definition is precise and non-circular, though it could be slightly more detailed about the administrative functions.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is directly grounded in Smith's text from Book I, Chapter 4, where he specifically discusses the exchequer's practice of receiving money by weight even after the introduction of coined money. The context accurately reflects Smith's historical example about the transition in monetary systems.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

The "Regulation" domain is perfectly appropriate for the exchequer, as it represents a governmental regulatory and administrative institution responsible for financial oversight and revenue collection. This clearly falls within the regulatory apparatus of the state's economic system.

## vsm_relevance — 4.0 / 5.0

The exchequer maps well to VSM System 3 (internal regulation/audit) as it represents the regulatory and monitoring function for financial flows within the economic system. It could also have elements of S1 (primary operations) in its revenue collection role, making it a strong fit for VSM analysis.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity provides genuine explanatory value by illustrating the institutional mechanisms behind monetary transition and the conservative nature of administrative systems. It demonstrates how regulatory institutions adapt gradually to technological changes (coined money), revealing important structural dynamics in economic systems.
