This brief article refers to an antique vessel, probably used by an apothecary, and discusses it’s decorative design in relation to Commonwealth coins of the period.
A Commonwealth Bronze Mortar design inspired by the Domestic Coinage – Graham Birch
This brief article refers to an antique vessel, probably used by an apothecary, and discusses it’s decorative design in relation to Commonwealth coins of the period.
BNS Research Blog 
Hi Graham, An interesting note and observation. I can add a contemporary brass/bronze pipe tamper with a cast circular handle made in the form of a 1649 shilling: England/Ireland shield, date and legend. The condition of mine is worse than appalling, but there is a drawing of another specimen (possibly BM) in a catalogue of pipe tampers. As an aside, I was tempted by the 1738 mortar with the name William Oddie in the same sale!
Dear Gary, I am pleased that you appreciated my brief note. Your pipe tamper sounds interesting. I guess that when the Commonwealth hammered coins first appeared they would have seemed quite novel and attracted a fair bit of attention. So perhaps not too surprising that the design elements were used in other metalwork. regards Graham Birch