A notable trick to transform a Counter to a Groat.
TAke a Groat, or some less piece of Money, and grind it very thin on the one side; and take two Counters, and grind them, the one no the one side, the other on the other side: Glew the smooth side of the Groat to the smooth side of one of the Counters, joyning them so close together as may be, specially at the edges, which may be so filed, as they shall seem to be but one piece; to wit, one side a Counter, and the other side a Groat, then take a very little green Wax (for that is softest and therefore best) and lay it so upon the smooth side of the other Counter, as it doth not much discolour the Groat:* 1.1 and so will that Coun∣ter with the Groat cleave together, as though they were glewed; and being filed even with the Groat and the other Counter, it will seem so like a perfect entire Counter, that though a stranger handle it, he shall not bewrey it; then having a little touched your fore-finger, and the thumb of your right hand with soft Wax; take therewith this counterfeit Counter and lay it down openly upon the palm of your left hand, in such sort as an Auditor layeth down his Counters, wringing the same hard, so as you may leave the glewed Counter with the Groat apparently in the palm of your left hand; and the smooth side of the waxed Counter will stick fast upon your thumb, by reason of the Wax wherewith, it is smeared, and so may you hide at your pleasure. Provided alwayes that you lay the waxed side downward, and the glewed side upward: then close your hand, and in or after the closing thereof turn the place, and so instead of a Counter (which they supposed to be in your hand) you shall seem to have a Groat, to the astonishment of the beholders, if it be well handled.