Monetarios enim fere omnes
totius Angliae fecit ementulari, et manus dextras abscindi, quia
monetam furtive corruperant. Wilkins ib. et anno 1125. When the
Common law became settled, it appears to have been punishable by
death. "Est aluid genus criminis quod sub nomine falsi continetur, et
tangit coronam domini regis, et ultimum inducit supplicium, sicut de
illis qui falsam fabricant monetam, et qui de re non reproba, faciunt
reprobam; sicut sunt retonsores denariorum." Bract. L. 3. c 2. Fleta,
L. 1. c. 22. 4. Lord Hale thinks it was deemed petty treason at
common law. 1. H. P. C. 220. 224. The bringing in false money with
_intent_ to merchandize, and make payment of it, is treason, by 25.
E. 3. But the best proof of the intention, is the act of passing it,
and why not leave room for repentance here, as in other cases of
felonies intended? 1. H. P. C. 229.
(* 25) Clipping, filing, rounding, impairing, scaling,
lightening, (the words in the statutes) are included in
"diminishing;" gilding, in the word "casing;" coloring in the word
"washing;" and falsifying, or making, is "counterfeiting."
(* 26) 43 L. c. 13. confined to four counties. 22. 23. Car. 2.
c. 7. 9. G. 1. c. 22. 9. G. 3. c. 29.
(* 27) Arson was a felony at Common law -- 3.
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