"A very serious inconvenience has occurred to many people, from the multiplicity of forgeries in the stamps on the dollars, which, from being issued by the Bank, at a price so far above their real value, has tempted the coiners to forge the Mint Stamp, which it is impossible for a common observer to detect. Since their first issue, many chests of dollars have been imported into this country, for the sole purpose of forging the stamp. As they are circulated at 4s. 9d., and their value is only 4s. 2d., it has afforded too great a temptation to be resisted. Besides the vast number of copper dollars coined, it is supposed that more than half of those in circulation, are counterfeited in the stamp, though the dollars are good. When taken to the Bank they are refused, which has caused a deal of ill humour."--(_Times, Sept. 4, 1797._) * * * * * "In consequence of the great quantity of bad Dollars, in circulation, the Bank Directors gave notice, in the Gazette of last night; that they mean to issue Gold coin, to the amount of the Dollars now in circulation, and which have been stamped at the Tower."--(_Times, Sept. 27, 1797._) * * * * * "The Dollars having been taken out of circulation, there is now such a scarcity of silver, as to impede the ordinary negotiation of business very materially. It would be a public convenience if the new 7s. gold coin was put in circulation."--(_Times, Oct. 5, 1797._) * * * * * "The new gold coinage of seven shilling pieces is to be issued from the Bank, this day."--(_Times, Dec. 1, 1797._) Up to this time forgeries of Bank of England notes had been very rare. "Last week a man was apprehended at Manchester, on a charge of forging Bank of England notes. On searching his house, was found a plate, with a one pound note engraved, on one side of it, and a two pound note, on the other; together with a number of notes just struck off, but not filled up. On his examination he confessed the fact, and thereby impeached his brother, who, he said, was then in Yorkshire: and acknowledged that they had practised it about six months, during which time they had disposed of about 200."--(_Times, March 30, 1798._) * * * * * "A small delivery of Mr. Boulton's 2d. pieces, was, on Friday, made at the Treasury; the likeness of the King is much better executed than in the 1d. pieces: they are full twice their thickness, weighing rather better than two ounces each."--(_Times, Feby. 12, 1798._) * * * * *