Ridiculous History CLASSIC: How far did Isaac Newton go to hunt down forgers?
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Jan 24, 2026 A surprising look at Isaac Newton as a relentless lawman who tracked down counterfeiters. Tales of William Chaloner’s wide-ranging scams, from fake coins to lottery fraud. Accounts of Newton’s aggressive tactics, bribery, and intimidation during a two-year manhunt. The story ends with a dramatic trial, destruction of records, and reflections on justice and legacy.
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Newton Finds A Currency Crisis
- Isaac Newton discovered that about 20% of circulating coins in 1696 were counterfeit and treated the problem personally.
- He applied scientific rigor to law enforcement as Warden of the Royal Mint to root out forgery.
Chaloner’s Counterfeiting Empire
- William Chaloner rose from nail-maker apprentice to a major counterfeiter and con artist in late 17th-century England.
- He ran a network using middlemen who often faced execution if caught.
Technology Outpaced The Law
- Paper money innovations outpaced existing laws, letting forgers like Chaloner exploit legal gaps.
- Technology (paper currency) created enforcement blind spots that delayed effective prosecution.
