The copper and brass tokens issued between 1648 and 1672 are well known and several of the original dies used to make them have survived. There is also a smaller, parallel series of cast lead tokens that started several decades earlier and finished about the same time with the introduction of a regal copper coinage in 1672. This note presents a copper alloy mould, found recently on the Thames foreshore, which was used to make a lead token for the Rose Tavern on Stony Lane, Southwark. The token is known and a specimen is illustrated.
Author: BNS Blog Coordinator
Vicar’s Jubilee, Churchstoke, 1896 – Gary Oddie & Nigel Lutt
This short note presents the background story of what initially appeared to be a simple token, but turned out to be a celebratory medal with the most uninspiring design! The vicar was Robert More White (1811-1906) and the medal was struck to celebrate 50 years at the same church. Unusually, a contemporary newspaper report describes the design and issue of the medal.
A Punch for the Octagonal Countermark of 1804 – Gary Oddie
Several years ago, the author acquired an octagonal punch suspected to have been used by counterfeiters to create countermarked dollars similar to the official Bank of England issues of 1804. The punch was tested on soft metals and a genuine dollar. Close inspection revealed a very small, and previously un-noticed, mark in the folds of the drapery. This mark is not present on the Maundy penny bust. Inspection of several genuine octagonal countermarked dollars reveals this mark to be present and suggests that this is an official punch.
A Unique Farthing Token from the Thames – Simon Maslin
A new variant of a Rotherhithe 17th century farthing token, discovered in May 2022. Same issuer as Everson no. 842, but a variant; Williamson (Surrey) 284B. This article first appeared in Issue # 493 of “Surrey’s Past”, published by the Surrey Archaeological Society, February 2023.
Edward IV: A Possible Halfpenny for the Coventry Mint – Lee Stone
Insertions in a copy of Robertson’s ‘A Handbook to the Coinage of Scotland’ – David Rampling
The late nineteenth century saw a major advance in the study of Scottish coins. Pre-eminent in this development were two enthusiasts, Robert Cochran-Patrick and Edward Burns. The popularisation of Scottish numismatics was further aided by those who drew inspiration from these luminaries. This note draws attention to one whose interests and abilities proved conducive to this process.
Insights into Henry VI Rosette Mascle Pence – Dave Greenhalgh
An up-to-date illustrated die list for the Rosette Mascle pence, including a recently acquired new die variety. Or….
Cark Cotton Works, 4 Shillings 6 Pence, Manville 101 – A New Variety – K. V. Eckardt
As was the case with many enterprises in Scotland and the North of England Spanish Colonial 8 Real coins were countermarked to create a local currency for payment to employees. The Series has been studied in detail for many years, by Harry Manville, Eric Hodge, David MacFarlan and others, so it is rare and interesting when a new variety is uncovered. A recent discovery has just been the case with Cark Cotton Works.
Early Anglo-Saxon Coins – Keeping the Corpus Current – Tony Abramson
Tony Abramson explains how best to keep in touch with the latest findings of early Anglo-Saxon gold and silver coins and Northumbrian stycas.
The Peckham gold shilling: A new, unique addition to the corpus of early Anglo-Saxon gold shillings – Tony Abramson
Although discovered, by metal detection, just two years ago, at Peckham in Kent, only now has a unique gold coin been validated as part of the early Anglo-Saxon corpus of gold shillings.
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