Secrets Of Scotland Yard - Counterfeiter

Summary

Podcast Summary: Secrets Of Scotland Yard – Counterfeiter

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Date: July 28, 2026
Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Original Broadcast: Golden Age radio drama featuring Clive Brook as Mr. Brooks
Main Theme:
An in-depth, dramatized exploration of classic coin counterfeiting cases investigated by Scotland Yard. The episode weaves real methods, criminal mindsets, and historical anecdotes to convey the dangers and intricacies of making fake money and the police efforts to stop it.

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Episode Overview

This episode focuses on the world of coin counterfeiting in England, revealing both the technical craft behind forging currency and the societal consequences—blending historical fact, cautionary tales, and character-driven drama. Through narration, dramatization, and period dialogue, listeners are drawn into the investigation of “coiners” and the figures responsible for distributing fake money, including both infamous real-life criminals and their fictionalized counterparts.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to Counterfeiting (00:35)

• Mr. Brooks sets a playful but cautionary tone, with tongue-in-cheek instructions for "making money" using household items, but quickly pivots to the severe penalties historically meted out to counterfeiters—even death in the 18th century.
• Highlighted the notable involvement of women as agents in counterfeiting rings.
  • Quote:
    • “There’s hardly one counterfeiting case in police records in which a woman is not involved. Isn’t that so, inspector?”
    • Inspector: “That’s right, Mr. Brooks. Women always seem to be chosen as agents for the coiners.” (02:46)

2. Anatomy of a Counterfeiting Operation (03:00–08:56)

• Explanation of the four stages: Coiner → Agent (often a woman) → Buyer → Passer (the person who “utters” or spends the fake coin).
• Case Study: Tom the Tailor
  • “Tom the tailor,” a character operating under the cover of a suburban shop, distributes fake coins through intermediaries.
  • Dramatic scene between Tom, a suspicious shopkeeper, and a persistent police constable reveals the gradual unmasking of the operation.
  • Discovery of the coining workshop in Tom’s basement:
    • “You’re caught red handed... quite a set up you run down here.” (08:49)
• Moral lesson: even clever disguises and community respect can’t shield a criminal enterprise forever.

3. Visit to the Black Museum: Tools and Methods of the Trade (10:30–14:16)

• Mr. Brooks examines some of Scotland Yard’s museum exhibits: early crude forgeries versus nearly perfect modern fakes.
• Material Science of Fakes:
  • Explanation of how ordinary pub pewter pots were stolen, melted, and used for superior fake coins.
    • “The best foundation for a counterfeit coin is obtained from pewter beer mugs.” (11:37)
• Anecdote about pub competitions leading to theft of pewter pots and a flood of phony coins, showing both ingenuity and audacity of coiners.

4. The Master Coiner: Sydney Attway (14:16–23:20)

• Introduction to Sydney Attway, called “the master coiner of Fulham”—a “scientific” and “artistic” craftsman whose attention to detail rivaled the Royal Mint’s.
  • Coining as a hobby, but one with criminal intent and profit.
• Origins of Attway’s Scheme:
  • Inspiration strikes when Attway’s wife buys a Coronation souvenir brooch fashioned from real sixpences—a petty marital spat leads to a criminal brainwave.
    • Humorous and chilling quote:
      • Attway: “Wasting my money on trash like this. If ever I catch you buying yourself things out of the housekeeping funds again, I’ll take a stick to your back.” (17:44)
      • Mrs. Attway: “Oh, you’re horrible. I don’t know why I stay.” (17:52)
  • Attway realizes the profit potential of selling souvenir “coins," eventually moves to making full counterfeit coins.
• Technical details: sought advice from newspaper readers, studied chemistry to perfect his silvering, and improvised equipment (jam jars as batteries, kitchen chair as burnishing board).
  • Attway’s recipe for fakes:
    • “When the coins have been removed from the mold, I put them on battery racks… then into a vat… then plunge them straight into cyanide of silver solution…” (20:24–21:17)
• On arrest, Attway quips:
  • Attway: “They should consider my career as a great compliment to themselves. After all, is not imitation the sincerest form of battery?” (22:22)

5. How Fake Coins Enter Society (23:20–27:21)

• Dramatic illustration of the coin’s journey:
  • Coins are wrapped discreetly, passed from agent to buyer, then to “passers” who slip them into circulation in everyday transactions (shops, pubs, hotels).
• Scenarios showed ingenuity: a woman delivers fake coins while buying shoes; a bar patron swaps legitimate change for some fakes.
• Commentary on public vigilance:
  • Mr. Brooks: “Do you make it a rule to always count your change?... How many times do you inspect each coin to make sure it’s a genuine article? Not very often.” (25:21)

6. How to Detect a Fake (27:21–28:45)

• Final advice to listeners:
  • “The simplest and most effective way to detect a fake coin is to bite it. If it produces a gritty sensation on your teeth, it’s not wartime food. It’s a fraud. Or is that the same thing?” (27:41)

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “You want to make some money?...I must warn you that you stand a risk of being sent to prison for life. In the old days, the penalty was death.” – Mr. Brooks (00:35)
• “Women always seem to be chosen as agents for the coiners.” – Inspector (02:46)
• “You’re caught red handed...quite a set up you run down here. Furnishing board, plaster of Paris, silver solution, lamp...one might almost think these gentlemen have been doing some coining.” – Police Constable (08:49)
• “The best foundation for a counterfeit coin is obtained from pewter beer mugs.” – Mr. Brooks (11:37)
• “If ever I catch you buying yourself things out of the housekeeping funds again, I’ll take a stick to your back.” – Sydney Attway (17:44)
• “They should consider my career as a great compliment to themselves. After all, is not imitation the sincerest form of battery?” – Sydney Attway (22:22)
• “The simplest and most effective way to detect a fake coin is to bite it.” – Mr. Brooks (27:41)

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Important Segment Timestamps

• Introduction & context: 00:35–03:00
• Tom the Tailor’s case: 03:00–09:45
• Black Museum tour & methods: 10:30–14:16
• Sydney Attway’s story: 14:16–23:20
• How fake coins are distributed: 23:20–27:21
• Counterfeit detection tips & closing: 27:21–28:45

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Style and Tone

• Wry, observant, and sometimes darkly humorous, with a focus on period-appropriate banter and dramatic flourishes.
• Narration mixes fact, folklore, and dialogue to keep the listener engaged and informed.

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Conclusion

This episode of Secrets Of Scotland Yard delivers an educational and entertaining journey through the history and practice of coin counterfeiting, interweaving criminal case studies with practical wisdom and a dash of irreverent British wit. It vividly illustrates not just how forgeries were made, but why ordinary people should care—and reminds listeners to “check your change.”

Transcript

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[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

From the Longhorn Radio Network adventure and mystery classic series from radio's golden past, Presenting Clive Brook in the secrets of Scotland Yard. How do you do? This is Todd. You want to make some money? Do you, in these days of austerity, want those little luxuries that mean so much? You want to be the first to pay for a round of drinks and give the barman a good tip as well? Or do you want to stand on the sidelines unable to do a thing for want of cash? I think I know your answer. Well, if you really do want to make some money, you must procure some plaster of Paris tin, bismuth, pewter and a jam jar. I'm afraid you must also have a little capital. It takes money to make money. Not much capital. Say half a dollar. You won't need anything else. Go ahead and make as much money as you need for the day. That's good, don't you think? Also, I feel that you couldn't strictly be asked to pay income tax. You could point out that you'd made the money yourself and that the mint had not been troubled. On the other hand, I must warn you that you stand a risk of being sent to prison for life. In the old days, the penalty was death. Here I Here are ye, here are ye. On this fifth day of July in the year of our Lord 1721, a Tyman, fatherless Spencer, apprehended in the gross and treasonable offence of falsely and secretly manufacturing shilling pieces in great number to be strangled unto death and then burnt at the stake. Yes, Barbara Spencer in 1721 was the first person ever executed for counterfeiting. By the way, perhaps you'll be surprised to hear there's hardly one counterfeiting case in police records in which a woman is not involved. Isn't that so, inspector? That's right, Mr. Brooks. Women always seem to be chosen as agents for the coiners. Ah, yes, agents. Perhaps I should explain to listeners that fake money usually goes through four stages in its criminal Career. Firstly, it is coined by its maker. The coiner gives it to his agent or go between she, for it's generally a she sells it to the buyer and he in turn employs a fourth person to pass the coin off as currency. Coiner, agent, buyer and passer. In legal phraseology, the passer is the one who utters the counterfeit, uttering in this connection meaning to use as currency a forged or altered instrument or coin knowing it to be forged. The passer very rarely knows who the coiner of the fake money is with a respectable business as a front to his activities. The coiner carries on his criminal ventures in secret and well hidden places and is not easily discovered. But he doesn't always escape the law. Now take the case of Thomas Craven, alias Cooper, alias Tom the tailor who carried on his trade in Bethnal Green, a suburb of London, in the same street that was a tobacconist shop. It was here that something occurred one day that was eventually to put Tom the tailor in prison.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

Good morning, sir.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

Oh, good morning. Two ounces of green gem tobacco, please.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

To ancestor. Here you are.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

Thank you. How much is that?

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

Three shillings please, sir.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

Let's see. Two, three. There you are.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

Just a moment, sir. This is a bad fine, isn't it?

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

Really? I say, you're quite right. I wonder who gave me that anyhow. Here's another. That's a good one.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

Yes, sir, that's a good one. Good day, sir.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

Good day.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

Freddy. Freddy.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

Yes, sir?

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

Martin, shop a few minutes, will you? Atlos try to pass off a dead coin on me for the second time this week. This time I'm going to follow him and I'll tell the whole story to the first police I see.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

Good luck, sir.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

I say, constable.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

Yes, sir.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

My name's Black. That's my tobacco shop across the way. You see that guy in the gray suit looking in that window over there? There, see? He's been joined by a woman.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

Yes. Yes.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

Well, twice this week he's tried to pass off a dead point on me. I've been following him since he left my shop just now.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

There are a lot of those floating about nowadays.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

Yes, but he used the same words each time. I think he's in the racket himself and he knew it was a dud.

[Supporting Characters (e.g., Police, Customers, Sydney Atway's wife)]

Hmm.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

Well, you may be right. What woman he's talking to, I don't know.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

Eh, yes, that's he looking piece of goods. He's just given him something.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

We had that up on one or two charges before. Wish I was in plain clothes. I'll keep after it.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

Let me know if anything happens, will you?

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

Yeah, Roger. The policeman followed the young lady. She went into Tom the tailor's shop. When she reappeared a few moments later, she went straight to the street corner and there met another man to whom she again passed something. This time the peace constable waited no longer, but took her along to the police station. There she was searched. 30 fake florins were found to be sewn in the hem of her skirt. He was obviously the agent for some counter beater, but whom? The police constable, remembering that she'd visited Tom the tailor's shop just before her arrest, decided to give the old chap a call. Tom was a well known character in the neighborhood and established himself as likable and kindly. Good morning, Tom. Oh, good morning, officer. Just a moment, I. I ring for my assistant. Ah, you needn't do that, Tom. I only wanted a few words with you. Well, in case someone else comes in wanting to be served. Tom, a young lady came in here about an hour ago, dressed in blue. Did you serve her? Yes, yes, of course. That'll be Ms. Pritchard. She comes to ask whether her father's jacket was ready yet. The father's jacket? Yes. Unfortunately I hadn't finished the sleeve yet. But why do you ask, Officer? Oh, nothing. Tom just wanted to see what she was up to. I say, your assistant seems to be a long time after. No bell. Yes, He's a lazy scoundrel. What about taking the ground? I'm tall, obviously. Not at all. You know the wind. Yes, all right. Thanks. Don't let me disturb you. The suspicious police constable went down to the basement. But the scene that met his eyes was exactly what you'd expect to see in the basement of a tailor's shop. Long benches, yards of material and several cutters at work with scissors and needle. But the constable wasn't satisfied. But he was sure there was something going on in the shop. He turned the matter over and over in his mind until suddenly he jumped on what he knew must be the answer. The next day he paid another visit to Tom the tailor. Morning, Tom. Good morning, officer. One moment. I hurt. Oh, Tom, you won't ring? It's just all I want you to do. You don't mind, do you? Well, why? I just want a ring for my assistant, Officer, in case some other customer comes in. There's no one, sir. Are you positive that's the reason you want a ring, Tom? What other reason could there be of them? That's just what I'm going to find out. If you'll Stand aside and let me inspect your basement once more. No, no, Tom, no foul language, if you please. Let me pass, will you? That's right. All right, you fellas. Don't throw anything on. You're caught red handed.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

Draw me the police.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

I never heard the bell. No, you didn't hear the bell. I'm afraid I prevented old Tom from wringing it. He tricked me that way yesterday. Mm, quite a set. Up yours down here. Furnishing board, plaster of pallets, silver solution lamp, flat battery racks. One might almost think these gentlemen have been doing some coining. All right, I suggest you all come quietly. I have three other men waiting for you outside, so up the stairs in quick time, please. And so, Tom, the Taylor's coining establishment was discovered and old Tom was sent to penal servitude.

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[Supporting Characters (e.g., Police, Customers, Sydney Atway's wife)]

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[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

now it's time for us to examine more closely the methods of the counterfeiter. And there's no better place to do this than in that morgue of criminal instruments, the Black Museum of Scotland Yard.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

This might interest you, Mr. Brooks.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

One of the earliest counterfeit coins. It's astounding that anyone should be taken in by that cut with a pair of scissors from a sheet of brass and silvered over and pounce off as a shilling. The coin's methods have certainly improved since those days. These coins, in the next case, they are practically perfect. They are perfect. I know. Don't tell me. They are pattern pieces. A pattern piece, in other words, a genuine piece of money from which the coiner takes his cast in Castle Paris. So you see, you do have to have money to make money. And into that cast he pours whatever metal he uses. Solder tin, bismuth, and of course, most of all, pewter. Yes, you may be surprised to know that the best foundation for a counterfeit coin is obtained from pewter beer mugs. In fact, whenever the theft of pewter pots is traced, it's tender one that the thief is in league with the coiners. A certain publican in Whitechapel, London, will vouch for that. My name's Bill Carey. I run the Green man pub down in Whitechapel. It's a fine old place with plenty of tradition, if you know what I mean. Though there's one tradition we don't keep with anymore. The pewter pot cleaning competition. You see, in the old days, George, the potman at the King's Head pub across the way used to come over to the Green man once a year, and we used to see who could clean the largest number of pewter pots in an hour. I remember our last contest. It was about 10 years ago on a Sunday morning.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

Go on, Bill.

[Supporting Characters (e.g., Police, Customers, Sydney Atway's wife)]

You win some with it, George, as usual.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

Oh, anyway, yes, I'll give him Bill. Bill's the winner again. That's two years running.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

Hooray.

[Supporting Characters (e.g., Police, Customers, Sydney Atway's wife)]

It was a lovely race, Bill. Thanks ever so for letting me come along. My YouTube certainly quickened your ass at the right time.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

I must get back to King's Head. The boss will be furious. Oh, cheerio. Bye, George. See you soon.

[Supporting Characters (e.g., Police, Customers, Sydney Atway's wife)]

We'll fix the date for the next contest.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

Well, we never did have any more contests. When the Mrs. And me comes to count the pots that night, as we always did after a big day, we found there were a dozen missing. That was bad enough, but what was even worse was the number of phony two shilling pieces and half crowns. We took over the counter for weeks

[Supporting Characters (e.g., Police, Customers, Sydney Atway's wife)]

to come,

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

and undoubtedly most of them came from the pewter pots that Bill and Jimmy had raced to clean on the previous Sunday. The pewter would be melted, cored into the mold, taken from the pattern piece. The two sides of the cast being kept together by clamps of hoop iron to secure a firm impression. Filed, edged, and continually checked to get as near as possible the weight of a true coin. And then would come the most important process of all. Silvering. The process of silvering coins is very similar to that of plating, knives, spoons and forks. Into the vat is dipped what is called a battery rack.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

There are some over here, sir.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

Ah, yes, that's rather good specimen. Simply a long piece of thick wire bent into a series of twists and turns in order to hold about a dozen coins at a time and made in such a way that no coin is touched by the wire in more than three places and all on the edge. These are well made. Whom did they belong to?

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

Sidney attway, sir, the master coiner of fulham.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

Ah, yes. He did everything conscientiously. We might do far worse than study his methods, don't you think? We have a full case of his belongings over here. Good. Let's get acquainted with Mr. Sydney Atway, the conscientious co.

[Supporting Characters (e.g., Police, Customers, Sydney Atway's wife)]

It.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

Sidney atway was one of the most scientific coiners of modern times. He approached the whole subject in a most artistic fashion. Coining to him was more a hobby than a profession, and to it he devoted all the loving care that some give to stamp collecting, others to photography, others still to bird watching. His real business was the pawning of articles bought cheaply at sales and auctions. Only if the pawn broker offered a profit, of course. But he had many other interests as well, as we well know from his diaries and private papers.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

Went to a cookery lecture today. An attractive young lady gave us a complicated recipe for old english trifles. I stopped in the press book of all the english taverns in paris. The following shops are those at which furniture may be had on hire prescriptions. One, for removing surplus hair from the back of the neck. Two, the right treatment for headaches. Three, the proper ingredients for making a highly satisfactory mustard plaster. And four, a certain cure for sluggish liver.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

But it was from a brooch pinned to the lapel of his wife's coat that gave sydney attway the idea to start the activities for which he is famous. It was coronation year in London, and Mrs. Attway had stopped on her way home from shopping to buy one of those souvenir brooches that everyone was wearing that year. Her husband, being an extremely mean gentleman, as most, was furious when he found that she'd been spending the housekeeping money on herself.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

Hilda, what's that you got pinned to your coat?

[Supporting Characters (e.g., Police, Customers, Sydney Atway's wife)]

Oh. Oh, Sydney, don't be angry. I couldn't resist it. It's one of the souvenirs they're selling in honor of the coronation. I thought it looked rather nice. Don't you like it?

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

Let me see it.

[Supporting Characters (e.g., Police, Customers, Sydney Atway's wife)]

Oh, now look what you've done. Why can't you keep your temper? You've tore my coat. Oh, why couldn't you let me unpin the brooch? I'd have shown it to you.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

Two sixpences on a pin.

[Supporting Characters (e.g., Police, Customers, Sydney Atway's wife)]

Yes. You see, they're bright new sixpences, minted this year.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

How much did you pay for this?

[Supporting Characters (e.g., Police, Customers, Sydney Atway's wife)]

One. And sixpence. So you see, it's only cost me sixpence.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

Really?

[Supporting Characters (e.g., Police, Customers, Sydney Atway's wife)]

Because the coins Always will be worth their money.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

Get downstairs. Wasting my money on trash like this. If ever I catch you buying yourself things out of the housekeeping funds again, I'll take a stick to your back.

[Supporting Characters (e.g., Police, Customers, Sydney Atway's wife)]

Oh. Oh, you're horrible. I don't know why I say it.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

1 and 6 are two tenors on a pin. What a wait a bit, though. What a way to make a profit. A few bright sixpences, a drill to make the holes and a nice looking silky pin. Or why should there be real sixpences? Why not make my home, sell them as souvenirs? Not claiming to be real money. Only 1 in 10 suckers will ask whether it's genuine and there's no trouble attached as long as I don't pretend they're anything but my own make.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

Yes, Attwey didn't stop at sixpences. He made shillings and half crowns and sold them as coronation souvenirs. When asked to pay 3 shillings for a half a crown medal, the purchaser would usually pass over the money, saying, oh, well, I can always use the coin if I'm hard up. But if he ever tried to use it as currency, he would soon discover his error. Having now got interested in the coining business, Sidney Atway went about learning the methods thoroughly. Whenever he came up against a particular snag in the processing of the metal into coins, he would write to one of the daily papers, to the editor,

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

Evening Herald, Fleet Street, London. Dear sir, have any of your readers any useful hints and suggestions as to the best way to make an electric battery? If so, perhaps you would be good enough to publish their letters in your correspondence column. Editor, Daily Gazette, London. Dear Sir, I hope you will publish this letter. I want to find out from any knowledgeable readers the simplest way to make solder from silver.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

There were generally numerous replies. Few people can resist the temptation to air whatever specialized knowledge they possess. And Sidney Atway's possessions in the Black Museum include a scrapbook full of newspaper articles and letters, all most helpful to him in his work. Of course, he bought the standard chemistry books as well and marked all the relevant passages. He evolved his own recipe for the silvering of the coins. If any one of you are taking notes, I should perhaps mention that the process takes years of practice and many disappointments before it yields any reward.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

When the coins have been removed from the mold, I put them on battery racks of my own making and dip them into the vat. Coins made from Britannium metal, tin or pewter are not dropped into acid before plating, but into a Very strong and boiling. Repeat, boiling hot solution of pure caustic potash. I then scratch the coins with a small brush made specially for this purpose and then plunge them straight into cyanide of silver solution at about 190 degrees Fahrenheit. An electric current from a battery is then run through the vat until the coins begin to receive a thin coating. Then I place them in the ordinary way to give them a full amount of silvering required. Then on to the burnishing board.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

The burnishing board is a piece of wood on which the coins are set, being kept in place with pins and brushed over with an old scrubbing brush on which some ordinary lamp black has been applied. This process relieves the fake pieces of any undue brightness and consequently suspicion. Mr. Atbay used the seat of an ordinary wooden kitchen chair as his burnishing board. It's in the case in the Black Museum which contains his other paraphernalia. 17 bowls, one battery, two ladles, plaster of Paris melting pot, plate of sand, brushes, drill, nine bottles of chemical, another battery made out of a three pound jam jar, files, clamps. What else?

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

Well, sir, there's some of the fake money that was found at his home when he was arrested.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

Two hundred half crowns, a hundred florins, 150 shillings and 206 article. He certainly was coining money. And that's not counting the fake currency. Must have put into circulation during his 17 years run as a successful. A few more Sydney Attaways and England would really be in danger of inflation. Yeah, A fascinating character. On his arrest, he turned to his captors with a disarming smile.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

Well, well, gentlemen, I hope you will tell the Royal Mint of my experience exploits. They should consider my career as a great compliment to themselves. After all, is not imitation the sincerest form of battery?

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

We have now examined the method of making a counterfeit coin. What happens then? How does it get into your pocket or mine? When the coin is satisfied that he can get no nearer to the real thing, he wraps the coins in tissue paper. Generally bottles of a dozen with a piece of paper between each coin to prevent jingling when they are being passed from hand to hand. The woman agent now takes the parcels and sells them to buyers either in public houses or in street corners. Morning. Beautifully, Charlie. Could I buy you one, miss?

[Supporting Characters (e.g., Police, Customers, Sydney Atway's wife)]

I'll have the same, thanks very much.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

Make it too, Charlie. I know you're late. I was told fast I was being followed at the Dodge.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

Around a bit.

[Supporting Characters (e.g., Police, Customers, Sydney Atway's wife)]

Got the stuff? What would I be here for if I hadn't Price has gone up, though.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

Why?

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

With a profit you make up two more numbers. Thank you, sir. One of them. Give me some change. Where was it? 8.7.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

Thanks.

[Supporting Characters (e.g., Police, Customers, Sydney Atway's wife)]

Is that a real 10 buck now you gave it?

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

Oh, don't think I try any penny business here, do you? You were saying the price has gone up. What too?

[Supporting Characters (e.g., Police, Customers, Sydney Atway's wife)]

Well, I've got three packets of off round last minute. It'll cost you ten shillings. That's four pounds ten shillings for half a quid.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

Oh, I suppose I'll have to buy it. I got four pots creaming for more funds. Here, it's Tim Bob.

[Supporting Characters (e.g., Police, Customers, Sydney Atway's wife)]

Come on. 2, 3, 4, 5. Oh, thanks. They're okay.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

Of course they are. I told you I would never try any funny business in here, didn't I?

[Supporting Characters (e.g., Police, Customers, Sydney Atway's wife)]

Oh, yes, you're so honest. They're half an hour.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

And now the buyer will pass on the fake currency to his employees, who in turn will pass it off on the shopkeepers and the general public. How? Well, there are several methods. For instance, a woman will go into a shoe shop carrying several parcels. You'll pass some time selecting a suitable pair of shoes. And then she'll prepare the ground passing something else.

[Supporting Characters (e.g., Police, Customers, Sydney Atway's wife)]

Dear Lucy, I have so much to carry. Could you deliver the shoes?

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

Certainly, madam. But What a dress.

[Supporting Characters (e.g., Police, Customers, Sydney Atway's wife)]

12 Blakely Road, Mrs. Adams. Oh, could your boy bring them in an hour's time? Otherwise I shan't be there.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

Very well, madam. The delivery boy turns up at 12 Blakely Road an hour later and is met by the woman just outside the gate. When she tells him that she is Mrs. Adams, he hands over the shoes to her and asks her to sign the receipt.

[Supporting Characters (e.g., Police, Customers, Sydney Atway's wife)]

Please. Janet Adams. There. How much do I owe you?

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

37 and sixpence, please, ma'.

[Supporting Characters (e.g., Police, Customers, Sydney Atway's wife)]

Am. Mr. Sewer, I'm afraid. And there's another shilling for yourself now.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

Thank you, ma'.

[Supporting Characters (e.g., Police, Customers, Sydney Atway's wife)]

Am.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

Only when the delivery boy had the money over his employer do they realize that he had been given five or six false half crowns in the cash. And of course, There is no Mrs. Adams living at the address. After all, let's admit that we are not as careful as we should be about the money we handle and the opportunities for us to win the Passover's counterfeit must be extremely numerous. Perhaps you're one of those who make it a rule always to count your change. But how many times do you inspect each coin to make sure that it's a genuine article? Not very often. Sometimes there is no apparent cause to inspect or change, as in the following incident, which occurs in various shapes and forms. About once a day in different parts of the country. Generally in public houses and quite often in the cocktail bars of expensive West End hotels.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

I say, Boman.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

Yes, coming, sir.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

I'm not age even the ones in hotel. Extremely sorry.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

It's full today, as you can see.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

More help?

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

What I think I like better, sir, but not so easy to come by.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

Well, perhaps you can manage to supply me with both scotch and salad.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

Certainly, sir.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

Oh, by the way, did Lord Milburn leave a message here for me? My name's Burley, James B.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

There wasn't any message with me, sir.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

Extraordinary. He swore he'd leave a note if he couldn't make it.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

Perhaps at the desk, sir.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

A good idea. I'll try there when I've had my drink.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

Yes, here it is, sir. Double scotch. Say, you waiting for this owner? Will you do?

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

That'll do. How much do I owe you?

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

That'll be five shillings. Bishop

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

bag.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

15 shillings change.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

Okay. No, I say, you've given me all silver. Makes my pocket so heavy, haven't you? A ten shilling note. Oh, yes. Sorry, sir.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

There you are.

[Assistant/Shopkeeper/Various Characters]

There's 10 shillings of your silver back. Oh, and buy yourself a drink with this.

[Narrator (Mr. Brooks)]

Oh, thank you very much, sir. Did you spot the passing? I expect so. You were listening for it. In changing the 10 shillings worth of silver for a note, the fictitious Sir James had substituted a few fake florins and shillings for the real ones. And that's coining for you. A woman gets a pair of shoes at a reduced price. A man gets a free drink and perhaps a bit over and the coiner runs the risk of penal servitude for life. Is it worth it? Well, do you want to make some money? Oh, that's where we came in, by the way. The simplest and most effective way to detect a fake coin is to bite it. If it produces a gritty sensation on your teeth, it's not wartime food. It's a fraud. Or is that the same thing? Well, it's over now, but I'll be back again soon to tell you some more of the secrets of Scotland Yard. Meanwhile, this is lbrook saying goodbye. And check your change.

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