An English melodrama, which was occasionally performed in Australia in the early twentieth century, and ultimately adapted as a silent film.
'The star attraction was the reproduction of an Australian photo play, "The King of Coiners," which depicted the double life led by Luke Holt in his capacity as a sergeant of police and the head of a notorious gang of coiners. In the latter role he was known as Jean Leroy, and attempted to get Ned Truman, a young engraver, to work for him. The latter refused, and then Leroy employed Biddy Higgins, a disreputable character, to secrete counterfeit coins in Truman's room. Then was seen Truman's arrest, followed by hardship suffered by his wife, and generally things were desperate till Ben Burleigh, a detective, took a hand in the game, and discovering Holt's interest in the coining business, he proceeded to arrest the police sergeant. The scene closed with a flight in a motor car and a crash over a precipice, which ended the earthly career of the coiner.'
Source:
'Amusements' , Advertiser [Adelaide], 20 February 1912, p.9.
Premiered in Surrey, England, in 1894.