subs. (old).—A sharper. An old-time worker of the confidence trick. See quots. Also GOLD-FINDER.
c. 1696. B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v. GOLD-DROPPERS, Sweetners, Cheats, Sharpers.
1748. T. DYCHE, A New General English Dictionary (5 ed.). GOLD-FINDER (s.) … also a cant name for a cheat, who under the pretence of finding a piece of money, and inviting a by-stander to partake of a treat, etc., out of it, endeavours to get him to play at cards, dice, etc., in order to win or cheat him of his money; they are sometimes also called guinea-droppers.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v. Sharpers who drop a piece of gold, which they pick up in the presence of some unexperienced person, for whom the trap is laid, this they pretend to have found, and, as he saw them pick it up, they invite him to a public house to partake of it: when there, two or three of their comrades drop in, as if by accident, and propose cards, or some other game, when they seldom fail of stripping their prey.
1811. GROSE and CLARKE, Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.
