The E-Sylum:  Volume 7, Number 16, April 18, 2004, Article 18

DELAWARE COLONISTS FACED SPANISH COUNTERFEITS

  An article in the Delaware Coast Press, which I assume is
  based on government records, recounts a 1688 court case
  involving false Spanish pieces of eight.

  "Thomas Kanes listened patiently as the words of the indictment
  echoed across the Lewes courtroom. In March, 1688, it
  was charged that Kanes did "...wickedly and feloniously spread
  and disperse abroad among the good and peaceable subjects of
  our Lord the King several pieces of coined money being not
  only false coin, but false metal, on purpose to deceive, cheat
  cozin and abuse the good and peaceable subjects of our said
  Lord the King." The charge having been read, Kanes rose,
  held up his hand, and confidently pled not guilty."

  "In a colonial town like Lewes, which contained a small number
  of merchants, the lack of a steady supply of currency was a
  problem. To supplement the English pounds and shillings, the
  people of Lewes used tobacco as a medium of exchange.
  Prices were sometimes reckoned in pounds of tobacco; and the
  courts figured fines in terms of tobacco."

  "In addition to tobacco and English currency, the Lewes
  colonists also used whatever foreign money that came their way.
  Among the foreign coins were numerous "pieces of eight."

  "The hand-made appearance of the coins also made them
  susceptible to counterfeiting; and in 1688, this brought Thomas
  Kanes to the Lewes court."

  The story of the trial and aftermath is detailed and interesting,
  and I won't spoil the ending by including it here.   To read the
  full story, see: Full Story

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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