7th of Queen Anne, Allows 400_l._ a year for prosecuting _cap._ 24. offenders; increased by 15 Geo. II. _c._ 28. § 10, to 600_l._
15th of George II. Amends some of the above laws, and _cap._ 28. establishes new regulations relative to the Copper Coinage.
11th George III. Makes further regulations respecting _cap._ 40. the Copper Coinage; which, however, have not been at all effectual.
Since the last edition of this work the following additions have been made to the Statute Law on this subject.
By 37 Geo. III. _c._ 126, so much of 15 Geo. II. _c._ 28, as relates to _halfpence and farthings_, and the statute 11 Geo. III. _c._ 40, and all other acts relating to the copper money of this realm, are extended to all such copper money as shall be coined and issued, by the King's Proclamation.--This was for the purpose of protecting the Coinage of _penny_ and _twopenny_ pieces made for Government by Mr. Boulton, of Birmingham; and which it is believed have not yet been counterfeited, at least to any great extent.
By the same statute, 37 Geo. III. _c._ 126, persons counterfeiting any _foreign gold or silver coin_, tho' not current in this realm, are made guilty of felony, punishable by seven years' transportation; as are also persons bringing the same into the realm, with intent to utter it.--A penalty is imposed on persons tendering _such_ counterfeit coin in payment, _or exchange_; for the first offence, six months' imprisonment: for the second, two years; and on the third, they are declared guilty of felony without Clergy.--Persons having more than _five_ pieces of such counterfeit coin in their possession, shall forfeit the same, and also a penalty of not more than £.5, nor less than 40_s._ for each piece; or suffer three months' imprisonment.--Justices are impowered to grant warrants for searching suspected places, _for such counterfeit foreign coin_; which with the tools and materials may be seized and carried before a Justice, who shall secure the same as evidence: to be afterwards destroyed.
By statute 38 Geo. III. _c._ 59, the act 14 Geo. III. _c._ 42, prohibiting the importation of light silver coin of this realm, was revived and continued till June 1, 1799.--And by statute 39 Geo. III. _c._ 75, it was made perpetual.