Jewellers skills worth their weight in gold

The Workshop, Hollins Place, will appear on this Sunday’s Countryfile as jewellers and husband and wife Robert and Jenny Dutson re-enact how counterfeit gold Portugese Moidores coins were made by the Cragg Vale counterfeiters in the late 18th Century.

Roberyt and Jenny say they were over-the-moon when they were asked to make the replica coins.

“We couldn’t believe it when we were approached; it’s the first time our work will be televised,” said Jenny who, with her husband, has more than 50 years jewellery design and making experience.

Robert, pictured with Countryfile presenter Joe Crowley, said filming was a fantastic opportunity for the jewellers.

Led by ‘King’ David Hartley, the Coiners told publicans they could ‘grow’ their investment - by smelting the original metals with base ores.

“Counterfeiters removed genuine edges, milled them again and collected the shavings which were melted to make counterfeits - the copy Portugese coins were sligthly smaller than originals and the patterns weren’t always exact replicas,” said Robert.

The jewllers used a special replica coin dye made by Todmorden’s Canteen Smithy Engineering.

A special public display will be exhibited at The Workshop.

The original dye is on display at Heptonstall Museum.

The couple say they are looking forward to watching Sunday night’s, 7pm, programme.

The Cragg Coiners success was largely due to the remote ness of their business operation - the demise of the Coiners culminated with the hanging of leader Hartley in 1770.