Until the introduction of the dodecagonal bimetallic pound coin in March 2017, the round pounds had suffered extensively at the hands of counterfeiters. The problem began almost immediately after their introduction in 1983. Of the 1.5 billion or so round pounds in circulation in 2016 it was estimated that 3% were counterfeit. Now that the coins are no longer circulating, and ceased to be legal tender in October 2017, this might be a useful time to make some observations about these counterfeits before they are forgotten and lost. The counterfeits fall into several groups and in this first article I will make some brief observations about the lead alloy issues which were typically produced between 1983 and 2006.
Author: BNS Blog Coordinator
Some Insights into Medieval Die Production and Die Life – Part 1 – D.I. Greenhalgh
This is the first part of an article describing the production of a viking style hammered coin die from scratch.
New Dies for Elizabeth I 1573 Acorn Initial Mark Threepence’s – Dave Greenhalgh
Since publication of The Galata Guide to Hammered and Milled Threepenny Pieces 1551 – 1662, published in 2016 by Galata, another two obverse dies, 1vi and 2ii, and one reverse die, Bvi, have come to light. These are briefly described here.
A Peculiar Series of Reverse Die Cutting Errors or Privy Marking of Edward I Class 1c Pennies
A short article speculating on the origin of a distinctive reverse error on Edward’s class 1c pennies. The author would be interested in hearing from anyone with further examples.
Jamaica ‘Type X’ Countermark – A Modern Fake – K. V. Eckardt
Again, along the recent series of Blog Posts regarding modern fakes readers should be made aware of a potentially convincing fake countermark on 8 Reale coins from Jamaica (c.1758-9). While the fabricators of these fake coins or countermarks may have some familiarity with the issues they are copying generally their knowledge is not as developed as an advanced collector/student and inevitably they get one or more aspects wrong which then is a marker for their handiwork. Numismatists must be vigilant and conduct a through investigation when a new variety makes it’s appearance in the marketplace. While legitimate contemporary material continues to be discovered, from time to time, the modern fabricator will use this route to their advantage in placing their modern material into the marketplace. The quality of modern fakes will undoubtedly improve, but I trust that ‘we’ shall be able to find that one little thing that they get wrong.
Edward III Pennies of York with Saltire-in-Quatrefoil Reverse – Mike Cuddeford
This short article illustrates a possible new variety of Edward III pennies of York; the original article was revised after D.I. Greenhalgh provided helpful input. Here is the amended version (Jan.17th).
The ‘Crown’ Quartered Series B Groat – A False Start to Edward III’s Fourth Coinage? – Duncan Russell
This article describes the unique Hunter Collection ‘Crown in Quarters’ Series B Groat of Edward III’s Fourth Coinage and places it into context with the ‘Trefoil of Pellets’ overcutting Crowns dies used in the early issues of the Fourth Coinage – in doing so it looks at Continental Prototypes with particular reference to the Anglo-Gallic Sterlings of ‘Aquitaine’ minted for Edward III. It also suggests that the failure of the earlier introduction of the Groat during Edward I’s Coinage reform of AD 1279 should not be repeated and so the innovative ‘Crown in Quarters’ design was suppressed in favour of the Trefoil of Pellets for the sake of continuity with existing and accepted reverse design prevalent since its introduction in the coinage reform of AD 1247. The silent witnesses to this turn of events are the few surviving trefoil of pellets overcutting Crowns’ Series B Groats.
Caveat Emptor – Even with Slabbed Coins – By K. V. Eckardt
This short articles continues the recent run of articles on the theme of forgeries; this time in relation to my interest in West Indies cut and countermarked coins, and the encapsulation of such coins.
Some Dangerous Modern Forgeries of Anglo-Saxon and Norman Pence – A.G. Bliss
This brief note details some dangerous forgeries of Anglo-Saxon and Norman pence, all offered for sale via eBay during 2019 and 2020. These pieces are of particular concern as many are artificially distressed, a feature which makes them more convincing to those unfamiliar with them.
Caveat Emptor II: Modern Forgeries of Richard II – D. I. Greenhalgh
Following up on the previous article by Rob Page on fakes of Henry III, here is a brief article describing some fakes of Richard II.
