Counterfeiting in the 19th C The 19th C began as the 18th C had finished – with people being hanged for ‘coining’ (making counterfeit coins) and ‘uttering’ (trying to spend them), with the exception that women were no longer ‘burned at the stake’ for high treason – they were now hanged along with the men.…
Introduction In 1636, directions were given to Lord Maltravers and Sir Francis Crane “to make a new sort of farthing token which should have a little brass in the middle of the copper to distinguish the true farthings from forgeries.” The harp on the reverse was replaced by a rose, and hence these pieces are…
Introduction These coins are contemporary counterfeits and most of them were produced between 1782-1799, although some ‘dates’ are significantly earlier (and there is a good reason for this). They are easily spotted due to their unusual legends – a deliberate ploy in order to “evade” the counterfeiting laws of the time. In 1742, an Act…
