The earliest newspaper mention so far found on the British Newspaper Archives is from 25th May, 1717:
May 25th, 1717
From the Stamford Mercury – Thursday 30 May 1717:
“That Same Day a Man and his Wife, were brought from Mitcham in Surrey, and made Prisoners in the Marshalsea, for Coining Several £1000 in false Money.”
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Mitcham History Notes 