Clip a Bright Guinea: Yorkshire Coiners of the Eighteenth Century [Paperback]

John Marsh (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 196 pages
• Publisher: Dalesman Publishing Co Ltd (October 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1870071646
• ISBN-13: 978-1870071642
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,631,697 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Background for Wuthering Heights, January 4, 2001

By 

A. Woodley "Patroness, Janeites, the Austen list" (New Zealand) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Clip a Bright Guinea: Yorkshire Coiners of the Eighteenth Century (Hardcover)

Meticulously researched and well written history of the coiners around the Yorkshire town of Halifax in the 1760's, and how they were finally brought to justice. You may be wondering why this is background for Wuthering Heights, well this is well in the territory of the Brontes, where lonely farm houses dot the moor and the winds wuther around the corners of these homes. It is also probable that Emily Bronte got the idea for her character of Heathcliff from a lawyer who features strongly in this case.

Because the value of the metal used to make currency was often greater than the face value of the coin itself, clipping and sweating were popular illegal pastimes to make extra money. Good coins were taken to secret places where metal was trimmed off the sides of the coins and later melted down and turned into new coins. The Halifax group of coiners were especially well organised, by a man know as 'King" David. When he found his little empire threatened he resorted to murder.

John Marsh has provided numerous maps, and photos (unfortunately all in B/W) to illustrate this book, including many facsimile reproductions of contemporary accounts of the crimes and the trials. Its a fascinating story, a great book and he writes of the subject matter well - bringing the era to life.