HOW COUNTERFEIT COIN IS MADE IN JOHANNESBURG.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 360, 29 October 1898, Page 1 (Supplement)

HOW COUNTERFEIT COIN IS MADE IN JOHANNESBURG.

To succeed iu this it is necessary that the operator should be possessed of a certain technical and chemical knowledge, though the process itself is of the simplest kind. Having chosen suitable premises, the coiner proceeds to acquire the implements and materials necessary for making sovereigns, or other coins, by what is known a* the " mould " process. All he requires is a stove, a melting pot, plaster of Paris, load and other metals, chemicals, and—a cigar box. The latter is cut down to a depth of an inch, sufficient plaster of Paris i" poured in to half fill it, and before the plastei is " set," a genuine specimen of the coin to be forged in pressed upon it and left there till the mould has become hard. Then more plaster of Paris is uoured on, sufficient to iill the box. The second pouring, having become a solid mass, is lifted off, the coin isjremoved, and a funnel-shaped groove is cut in the lower mould, extending from the impression produced by the coin to the short cud of the box, that end being the furthest removed from the centre. The wider opening of the funnel-shaped groove is, of course, en the outside, the end connecting with the mould proper, made by the coin, being extremely narrow. This done, the upper plate, or lid, of plaster of Paris is replaced in position and firmly secured. The molten metal, mixed according to the chemical formula known to him, is then poureJ hj the operator into the outer opening of the funnel-shaped groove until the centre cavity is filled. Wheu cold, the lid is again lifted off and the counterfeit coin taken out. The rough portion of ths edge at the point of contact with the groove is filed and trimmed, and the process is repeated ml lib. The uttering of counterfeit coin is not fraught with any great difficulty. "Sovereigns" are disponed of to confederates at about twelve shillings a dozen wholesale, or the coiner may take a trip aboard—say to BuUwayo —where he is unknown, and there dispose of his wares without much risk and at face value. I have little doubt thut many of my readers have at one time or another received a counterfeit sovereign or half-crown. It was probably made in Johannesburg. It is needless to say that the men engaged iu this branch of crime are scoundrels of much experience, well versed in the highways and byeways of" their trade, and know how to keep clear of the detectives They know, too, that nothing short of a capture in jhgnnitcdclicto can secure a conviction against them, and they are far too wily to be so caught.— Transvaal Ci'itic.