Tinline made his fortune when the Bank of South Australia created 25,000 guinea coins solving a currency crisis caused by a gold rush.

He pushed for the establishment of an assay office and mint, and the conversion of some of the diggers' gold to bullion which could be used as a form of currency.

In recognition of his work in staving off a crisis Tinline was awarded a purse of 2,000 guineas (£2,200; several millions of dollars in today's money), and an elaborate silver salver (now in the Art Gallery of South Australia),[1] for his service to the business community.

[5] He was sacked by the bank in 1859 after severe losses caused by a customer defaulting,[1] and joined his brother in law A.

[6] The house which he had commissioned near the summit of Mount Lofty was sold, half completed, later to become Stawell School for Girls.