The danger of this situation was demonstrated with dramatic emphasis in 1834, when the UK’s seat of parliament, the Old Palace of Westminster, burned down and took with it the country’s standard yard and pound. Ironically, the fire itself was caused by the disposal of another ancient tool of reckoning: tallies. These are short lengths of wood carved with notches to represent money owed. These staves are then split down their length into two pieces, foil and stock, which are given to the debtor and creditor respectively. The unique shape of the wood’s split ensures this record cannot be forged
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