Isaac Newton had a second, often overlooked public career as Warden of the Royal Mint, and the tale of Newton the economist is one worth telling (Image: Houghton Mifflin / Faber)
LONDON, 1696. England is engaged in a ruinous war with France. Its currency, debased by counterfeiters and the “clippers” who shave silver from its poorly minted coins, is increasingly worthless. The radical solution: recalling all money in circulation to be melted down by the Royal Mint and reminted. Under the mint’s indolent master, Thomas Neale, the plan rapidly descends into farce. Soon there is no money left to pay…
