Author: BNS Blog Coordinator

The Obverse Die for the Macniven and Cameron Imitation Spade Guinea c.1970 – Gary Oddie

This note has been prompted by the recent analysis of the die used to strike the obverse of the Imitation Spade Guinea (ISG) produced for the bicentenary of the Macniven and Cameron company in 1970. In the 19th century the company used many ISGs to advertise its ranges of pen nibs. The note traces the history of the study of ISGs and where further information about the company can be found. XRF analysis shows the die to be made from a high Nickel-Chrome steel with most surfaces contaminated with traces of brass (Copper and Zinc) from the tokens being struck. The die face, however, shows maybe 3% brass impregnated into the surface. This is likely metal dust trapped within the surface scratches and damage in the top few microns or tens of microns at the most.

Unrecorded 17th Century Tokens From W.S. Lincoln & Son – Gary Oddie

The chance find of an old sales catalogue, from W.S. Lincoln and Son, dedicated to 17th century tokens, and listing 1006 pieces has resulted in this short note. The list must have been published sometime between 1889 (Williamson published) and 1932 (Lincoln business failed).  The 27 pieces listed as ‘not in Williamson” have been investigated to see if they had been rediscovered by the time of Michael Dickinson’s publication in 1986. With much help from Nigel Clark and Michael Dickinson, the list was solved, to leave just three pieces that have not been seen or catalogued since. They are out there somewhere.

“So, how rare is my coin?” – Rob Page

The database behind the online MCHBI app (link) provides endless scope for statistical analyses. Below, I provide a link to a list of Medieval coins found in hoards deposited no later than 1544, the cut-off date for the MCHBI database. The list is sorted in decreasing frequency of occurrence, and the number of hoard coins per ruler is shown. There are some minor sub-divisions; for example, the Tealby coins of Henry II are listed separately from the Short Cross coins of the same ruler. The list presents Medieval coins currently in the database, many of which now reside in museums and are therefore not available in the marketplace for collectors. The dataset has some issues. For example, if some coins are known to have been present in a hoard but we have no knowledge or estimate of the number, then these coins will not appear in the lists. The MCHBI hoard records are gradually being edited and improved, so this

read more “So, how rare is my coin?” – Rob Page

Seventeenth Century Glasshouses – Gary Oddie

One of the main features of the seventeenth century token series, apart from its size, is the diversity of issuers and the potential for even a singular token to open up a window on people, trades and places that have been lost in the intervening years. A recent talk at the British Numismatic Society (Laura Burnett – April 2023) mentioned in passing the token issued at the Glasshouse at Calne in 1669 (Wilts W/D 35). This reminded me of some research I carried out over a decade ago into this token and seventeenth century glasshouses, which is revisited in this note.

A Die Study of James I Shillings – Second Issue, mm Mullet – Gary Oddie and Michael Thompson

This note continues the die studies of James I shillings, working backwards through the mintmarks of the second issue. Here the mintmark Mullet is presented – issued 9th May 1611 to 22nd May 1612.In keeping with the £9 11s 4d of silver at the Trial of the Pyx, this issue is over average rarity and 49 specimens have been found struck from 26 obverse and 32 reverse dies. The six obverse legends include a die sinkers’ error with IACOBVS D G MAG BRIT FRA ET HIB “R” REX. A second specimen confirms that the extra “R” is not caused by double striking.

A Seventeenth Century Truck System – Thomas Renolds of Colchester (Essex W/D 143) – Gary Oddie

Truck systems are often viewed as a product of the industrial revolution, where factory owners paid their workers with tokens and tickets that could only redeemed in the factory shop. An alternative form of truck system is where the workers are paid in kind by their employers – often using the employers products. One such case occurred in the seventeenth century when Thomas Renolds of Colchester paid his piece workers in cloth, which they could only sell at a loss. The workers took Renolds to court for the lost money, which he ultimately paid. Renolds was a wealthy merchant and also issued seventeenth century tokens. A die study reveals five obverse and five reverse dies and illustrates the eight known die combinations. A further die, noted by Judson in 1987, has not yet been seen and is suspected not to exist.