Object number
66/260/1-3
Creator
Description
A brass counterfeit coin detector, consisting of a sliding scale, with a papier mache case. It was manufactured by Bradford, Darby & Hulls. According to members of the Antique Metalware Society, who identified the object, the detector was patented in 1774 and was used to weigh the eleven gold coins current in that period.
Physical description
1 counterfeit coin detector, with case and lid: metal, papier-mache
Archival history
MERL ‘Handwritten accession’ form (Museum of English Rural Life) (New Form) – ‘Recorder: WAP // Date: 26/6/02 // Description: 1 counterfeit coin detector (brass) with case (papier mache?), sliding scale design; slider is embossed with makers name: ‘Bradford, Darby and Hulls; By The Kings Patent’ // Dimensions: coin detector: 17.5 x 1.5 cm (length x width) // case: 22 cm (total length) // Associated information: This was a problem item until the Antique Metalware Society, during a visit in June 2002, identified it as a counterfeit coin detector. They say it was patented in 1774, and weighed the 11 gold coins current in that period.’
Production date
1775-01-01 - 1799-12-31
Production period
Late-eighteenth century
Object name
Material
Associated subject
Associated person/institution
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_7870.tif - High resolution image
