Author: BNS Blog Coordinator

The George III 1818 8 over 7 Half Sovereign – An often mis-identified rarity. Graham Warboys.

The extremely rare 1818 8 over 7 Half Sovereign is sometimes mis-identified due to existence of a variety that appears as if it could be due to a defect on the right side of the second 8, making that side of the coin appear fatter. There is however no trace of the upper side of the 7 which would be clear if this was indeed the rarity. This article illustrates the two types.

Charles I Shillings of the York Mint (ii) Counterfeits – Gary Oddie

A previous note provided illustrations of the known official issues of the shillings from the York mint during the Civil War. This note will present details and discuss five known varieties of counterfeit shillings which display the EBOR mintmark. Some of these show quite competent engraving skills, sufficient to allow the die that was copied to be identified.  The contemporary counterfeits showing the EBOR mint signature show letter and design punch links with each other and also with other groups of contemporary counterfeits of provincial mint shillings (Oxford). All specimens of one York die combination show significant flan curvature pointing to manufacture on a roller or cylinder press. Through the Commonwealth and up to the recoinage of 1696/7, increasingly worn and clipped silver coins fell prey to the counterfeiters. The whole topic of the state of the circulating silver coinage in the seventeenth century requires a thorough review in order to place what seems to be a continuous undercurrent of

read more Charles I Shillings of the York Mint (ii) Counterfeits – Gary Oddie

Henry III (Posthumous), Class 7 Pennies from the London Mint, Part Two – Moneyer Renaud – Robert Page

This is the second paper in a series on the class 7 coins of the London mint, and this one deals with the coins of the moneyer Reginald de Cantuaria (“Renaud”). The coins of Renaud were minted until c. May 1278 – i.e. for about 75-80% of the period in which class 7 was issued (1275/6 – late 1278), and hence are useful for looking at some of the variations which might be of relevance in any future sub-division of the class.  Three types are outlined for the coins of Renaud, including one type having an unusual double-headed sceptre, not seen elsewhere in the Henry III long cross series.  I continue to look for additional images of class 7 coins for further research and would be pleased to hear from any reader willing to supply class 7 images of any mint or moneyer. UPDATE: Please note that coin types originally described as 7b and 7c in this article have now

read more Henry III (Posthumous), Class 7 Pennies from the London Mint, Part Two – Moneyer Renaud – Robert Page

Harry Manville and BNJ and NC Offprints – Hugh Pagan

The present note explains the treatment of offprints in the late Harry Manville’s Numismatic Guide to British and Irish Printed Books 1600-2004;  points out the difference between offprints that are repaginated and offprints which are simply bound from original printed sheets; identifies the point in time when the change from one type of offprint to the other was respectively made for BNJ and for NC; and makes some further observations about the utility of offprints and the number likely to have been printed of any given offprint of an article published in the major numismatic periodicals.

The Lombardic n in York pennies of Edward I Class 3f – Denis Martin

The Lombardic form of the letter n is spasmodically found on obverses of some early issues of Edward I. This article discusses the rare coins struck in York in class 3f from obverse dies produced locally. Both the Royal mint and the Archbishop’s mint produced such coins, the latter being much rarer. An attempt is made to update the situation regarding the corpus of such coins and the numbers of known dies. A peculiar feature of the Lombardic n, which does not seem to have been discussed before, is pointed out. 

Henry III (Posthumous), Class 7 Pennies from the London Mint – Rob Page

This is the first of a series of planned articles on class 7 pennies from the London mint and presents a case for class 7 production at the London mint commencing as late as the fourth quarter of 1277; the article also deals with an estimate of the number of coins and dies from the London moneyers Reginald de Cantuaria (Renaud) and Phelip de Cambio; later articles will document some observed varieties for each of these moneyers in turn. To extend the study of these coins the author would appreciate receiving images of any London class 7 coins of Renaud or Phelip that readers may have in their collections. Images may be emailed to robtpage@gmail.com

Charles I Shillings of the York Mint (i) Official Issues – Gary Oddie

This short note will revisit the shillings issued at the York mint during the civil war. The series has been comprehensively studied and published(1, 2).The dies were engraved by Nicholas Briot and the pieces were made using a roller or cylinder press. This results in a slight ovality and curved flan of some pieces and slight creasing of the metal when they were cut from the strip or subsequently straightened. Misalignment of the silver strip could also lead to coins with partial straight edges. Two pairs of rollers were manufactured, each with five dies engraved on their surface. Briot’s skill as an engraver means that it can be challenging to identify the exact die pair.  Many published illustrations make it difficult to distinguish between certain dies and errors have been found in some catalogues(3). The following pages will provide good illustrations of pieces made by every die pair and die combination. Whilst not original, it is hoped it will be useful.