348 



Mr. J. Napier on Spurmts Coins. 



BritaDuia metal base coin hitherto circulated, that being cast in moulds and ponred 

 in from the edge of the mould, the outer rim of the coin is always faulty, and a 

 very cursory inspection of that part would suffice to detect it. The component 

 parts of the metal from which they are struck are copper, nickel, and zinc, in the 

 following proportions, — copper, 64-26 per cent., nickel, 15-71, and the rest zinc; 

 which is, in reality, German silver. The shilling weighs 5 grains light of a genuine 

 one of the same year, and three grains heavy of a George III., of 1822. The 

 metal being so hard, the coin detectors will not expose the fraud, but they may 

 be known by the ring, which is very bad. It is believed that they came from 

 Birmingham." 



COPPEB COIKS. 



The copper spurious coins may be divided into four sorts, although 

 there is a great variety of the first two sorts. And, upon the whole, 

 copper coining appears to be the most extensive, probably because there 

 seems to be little or no risk attending it, and the profits, as we shall 

 presently see, are very considerable. 



The first and worst sort are composed of brass, and afterwards bronzed 

 by acids to give them the appearance of tarnished copper. This sort 

 does not maintain its circulation, the bronze soon wears off and the brass 

 is detected. This sort I do not think numerous, many of them are often 

 the production of thoughtless youth in brass foundries, although, no 

 doubt, there are many made by the worthless to maintain a life of idle- 

 ness. The most of those I have seen are cast from Irish pennies. One 

 analyzed was George IV., 1823, and weighed 276 grains, and gave per 

 cent. — 



Copper, . . . . .59-2 



Zinc, 



Tin and antimony, 



Lead, 



Iron, 



32-9 

 41 

 22 

 1-6 



This, I need hardly say, is inferior brass. 



The next sort is a little better, being made of bronze and afterwards 

 darkened by acids. These were mostly all in the form of old penny- 

 pieces, the bronze colour is only visible round the rim ; these maintain 

 their circulation, although under suspicions. The one analyzed weighed 

 323, and gave per cent. — 



99-8 



