The previous note presented details of the reference collection of 1,490 counterfeit shillings of George III dated 1816-1820. This note will look at the metal composition and plating based on the data gathered in the previous spreadsheet. Simple plots of the weights and densities of the pieces allow them to be separated into three groups ‘tin’, ‘copper alloys, brass and copper’ and ‘silver’ counterfeits, mostly consistent with visual observations.
Author: BNS Blog Coordinator
Fishy Tales from King’s Lynn – Gary Oddie
Recently two notes have appeared on the E-Sylum about coins that have been found in the stomachs of fish. This short note presents a shilling that has been engraved ‘Found in the belly of a cod fish by T. Hendry Lynn 17 March 1773’, along with a brief history of King’s Lynn and its trade.
Modern Edward VI Fine Shilling Copies (ii) Postscript – Gary Oddie
Subsequent to the publication of the previous note regarding modern copies of Edward VI fine issue shillings, the opportunity has arisen to carry out improved measurements and a metallurgical analysis of another specimen. Three further specimens have also been seen on the well-known internet auction site, all from a single vendor. Three of these are described.
Counterfeit Shillings of George III 1816-1820 Part (i) Reference Collection and Statistics – Gary Oddie
This is the first of a series of short notes looking at the counterfeits of the shillings issued during the recoinage of 1816-1820. This will begin with a statistical analysis of a reference collection which, at the time of writing, contains 1,490 pieces. Subsequent notes will look at the metallurgy, methods of manufacture and ultimately a die study.
An Act Touching the Moneys & Coyns of England – 17 July 1649 – Gary Oddie
This short note reproduces an original copy of the Act of Parliament that ushered in the coins of the Commonwealth, specifying the denominations, metal content and weights of the new coins along with the designs and, for the first time, English legends.
West Caicos Sisal Company Tokens – Gary Oddie
This note begins with a brief history and description of industries that have taken place on the Turks and Caicos Islands and in particular sisal growing. This is followed by a description of the West Caicos Sisal Company and a group of tokens issued to pay the workforce and redeemable in the Company Store.The style of the dies is quite unusual, with just a simple incuse legend. Thus when two specimens appeared of British half-pennies overstruck with the reverse die of the shilling token and more recently a British penny overstruck with the reverse die of the two shilling token, they were really quite obvious.The three new pieces all appeared in the USA and were sold without any reference to the original use of the dies. This and other features of the pieces leads to the suggestion that they were struck using the original reverse dies, but many decades after the original token issues, possibly even as late as 2010.
Henry III Long Cross Pennies – An Analysis of Class 2a and the Identification of Two Previously Unidentified Subgroups – Ian Heavisides
Coins of Class 2a, are relatively scarce yet the varieties that exist suggest that there was some degree of experimentation before the more consistent forms of 2bi and 2bii were arrived at. This has made any form of analysis or breakdown into sub-groups extremely difficult. This article suggests a means of dividing class 2a into two parts and identifies two further sub-groups 2ab1 & 2ab2, which could be confused with the coins of class 2b but which may well predate the issue. The article concludes with a brief table of the details of the four types identified.
Contemporary Counterfeit Shillings of the Commonwealth 1649-1660 – Gary Oddie
This short note presents some counterfeits of the shillings issued during the Commonwealth. A brief summary of the official coinage is followed by images and analysis of 44 counterfeit shillings from two accumulations – the Baldwin black museum and the author’s collection. Though a relatively small sample, that there are very few die duplicates between and within the two collections suggests there are many more yet to be found. However, considering the present-day scarcity of the official issues, counterfeit shillings with the anchor initial mark make up 25% of the specimens. This may be attributed to the short period around the beginning of the reign of Charles II where there is a documented increase in counterfeiting activity attributed to the uncertainty of the future acceptability of the Commonwealth coins. XRF analysis of one group reveals that one piece is likely a genuine coin (but very damaged) and another is a 20th century fabrication as the alloy contains Hafnium, a metal
read more Contemporary Counterfeit Shillings of the Commonwealth 1649-1660 – Gary Oddie
Willam Hebbs of Woburn, Bedfordshire – Gary Oddie
This note presents the first new Bedfordshire token to be added to the county list since 2002. The find location, Milton Bryan, is just two and a half miles south east of Woburn. A likely candidate for William Hebbs has been found in genealogical records but no other details have been found. The piece will be catalogued as W/D 102A.
John the Blind – New example for Arlon Mint – Simon Hall
John the Blind – Count of Luxembourg. Once the legends had been matched up it was clear to be a coin of the Arlon, Belgium Mint. Mayhew comments that there are only 2 known to him for this mint.
