Author: BNS Blog Coordinator

The Tokens of Brentford and Kew Markets – Bob† and Pam Williams and Gary Oddie

A previous note presented a history and catalogue of the tokens issued at Columbia Market, based on the collection of the late Bob Williams (Link). This note follows this up with a history and catalogues of the tokens issued at Brentford and Kew Markets. Again the main catalogue is based on Bob Williams’ collection, but augmented by pieces from several other collections. The history of the markets also includes interviews with several market traders from the last 50 years. Details of any pieces not listed will be gratefully received via the BNS blog.

Charles I Counterfeit Shillings – Connecting the York, Oxford and one of the Tower Types – Gary Oddie

A previous note presented a few contemporary counterfeit shillings of Charles I. (Link). These either displayed the EBOR mint signature or showed a declaration type similar to the official Oxford Issues. Punch links suggested connections between the different types. Recently the British Museum has photographed and uploaded its Charles I counterfeit shillings. This note presents eight of the BM pieces and fits them into the previous scheme and also adds a counterfeit Tower issue shilling mm tun. Punch links now allow all of the counterfeits described in the two notes to be divided into two groups suggesting just one or two workshops produced them all.

Revisiting an Enigmatic Charles I Pattern Shilling – Gary Oddie

In the British Museum trays is a coin that was initially considered to be a medal relating to the erection of the Royal Standard in 1642. This note presents in detail the contemporary references confirming that the piece is actually a pattern for a proposed debasement of the coinage in late July and early August 1640. One reference describes the design in sufficient detail to leave no doubt about the attribution and dating. Though Mint buildings had been prepared for the production of a debased coinage, none were ever issued. For his part in the project the Earl of Strafford was found guilty of treason and executed on 12 May 1641.

XRF Analysis of Coins in Slabs etc – Gary Oddie

Measuring the metal composition of a coin using X-ray Fluorescence can be useful in identifying counterfeits. This note presents data testing a portable XRF machine on coins in various plastic holders, including a slab. Using the machine’s built-in interpretation shows that very thin plastic films lead to good results, but anything thicker than about 0.1mm produces questionable results and a 1.66mm slab wall is likely to be incorrect.

Henry III Long Cross Pennies –  Class 2bi- The Coinage of the Winchester Mint – Ian M. Heavisides and Rob Page

Continuing on from our description of the 2bi dies of Lincoln and Northampton. These two mints, together with Winchester described here, were the only provincial mints to issue pennies of this class, though the major mints of London, Canterbury and Bury also issued 2bi pennies. Below are links not only to the Winchester article, but also to the earlier articles on Lincoln and Northampton, and also the explanatory material which deals with the die comparison methodology – this latter document should be perused in order to fully understand the Winchester article. As always, the authors would welcome comments on the material, and especially news of any additional dies not described here. Lincoln (Link) Northampton (Link)

A Die Study of James I Shillings – Third Issue, Sixth Bust, mm Rose – Gary Oddie

This note arose after finding a die sinker’s error in the legend of a James I, third issue shilling with mintmark rose. A simple method is presented to allow the identification of different dies followed by a die study of the shillings of this scarce mintmark. Eleven different obverse and eleven reverse dies have been found from 22 specimens. This is sufficient to allow a tentative estimate of the likely number of dies that might be found with a more extensive study. Details of further specimens will be gratefully received.