Author: BNS Blog Coordinator

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.

Tracing The Elusive 1775 Pattern Shilling – Gary Oddie

This note brings to an end a long search for a specimen of the 1775 pattern shilling of George III. Listed as R4 or R5, regular (5-10 year) sightings at auction or sale were anticipated, however this assumption caused the author to be looking in the wrong places all along. Embarrassingly, two specimens have been found in captivity (Royal Mint Museum and British Museum) and in identifying their provenances a third specimen has been identified and is possibly still in the wild (ex Hyman Montagu).