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Vellum manuscript DS, signed “Is. Newton,” one page, 12.25 x 3, January 25, 1698/9. Recognizance bond issued by Isaac Newton as Warden of the Royal Mint to ensure the future appearance of Nathaniel Peck as a witness against Newton’s nemesis, the counterfeiter William Chaloner. In part: "Nathanl Peck de Black Fryars London…Thos Worley de St Sepulchres London Glover…Symon Cross de east Aurifaber…Upon Condition the said Peck do personally appear at the next Genll Sessions of the peace …in St John str for the County aforesaid Then and there to answer…objected agt him touching his packing away Counterfeit money for advantage." Removably corner-mounted and matted with a portrait of Newton to an overall size of 18 x 17. In very good to fine condition, with scattered light foxing and speckled staining.
Recommended by his friend Charles Montagu, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Isaac Newton was appointed Warden of the Mint in 1696. The following year he undertook the office of Master of the Mint, a position that he would hold for the last 30 years of his life. Newton made the position a high priority, and though he continued to write and publish scientific works, he retired from his Cambridge duties in 1701 to focus on the position. As Master, he reformed the currency and punished counterfeiters to his fullest extent of the law—as evidenced by Chaloner's fate.
On the same day Newton signed this bond, he took the 'Information' of Nathaniel Peck. Peck told Newton that seven years earlier, Chaloner had brought him two pieces of iron to be turned. Chaloner was using the pieces as stamps to make French coins called pistoles. Peck also purchased counterfeit pistoles from Chaloner for 8 shillings each and sold them for 11 shillings. A few months later, Chaloner provided Peck with two counterfeit guineas, which Peck also put into circulation before Chaloner turned to Thomas Holloway as his preferred distributor.
By early 1699, Newton had assembled 44 collected against Chaloner, who had been arrested in November 1698 for forging lottery tickets. Although charges regarding the lottery tickets were dropped, Newton brought three indictments against Chaloner, and he was convicted of high treason on March 3, 1699. Chaloner was hanged at Tyburn on March 22, 1699.
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