Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(UK Und.) one who ‘sweats’ gold coins by rubbing them together to procure gold dust.

1809		G. Andrewes Dict. Sl. and Cant n.p.: Curlers jews who sweat the guineas by rubbing them together for the dust.
1821		Flash Dict.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open.
1859		Matsell Vocabulum.
1895		Crowe Aus. Sl. Dict. 21: Curlers, sweaters of gold coins.