Lot 146
Newton, Sir Isaac -- Subpoena Signed in a Counterfeiting Case as Warden of the Royal Mint. (1643-1727) English physicist and mathematician whose discoveries in optics, mechanics, and mathematics made him the culminating figure of the scientific revolution of the 17th century. His Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica (Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy, 1687) was one of the most important single works in the history of modern science. He spent the last three decades of his life serving as Warden (1696-1699) and Master (1700-1727) of the Royal Mint.
Manuscript document signed "Is. Newton" as Warden of the Royal Mint, one page, vellum; 3 x 12½" (London), Aug. 19, 1698/99. Being a warrant of subpoena against Michael Gillingham on a charge of bribery for giving Thomas Holloway a sum of money to go to Scotland to prevent him from giving testimony against William Chaloner, who was charged with counterfeiting the coin of the realm. A few words of text are not legible due to soiling and smudging, but most of the text and the signature are quite legible. A transcription is matted with the document, along with images of Newton and information about him and his discoveries.
Newton estimated that 20% of the coins taken in during the recoinage of 1696 were counterfeit. Counterfeiting was high treason, punishable by being hanged, drawn, and quartered. Newton avidly pursued counterfeiters and successfully prosecuted 28 of them. Estimate Value $4,000 - UP
Museum of World Treasures.
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| Realized $11,700 |
