These notes highlight two discoveries made while the present writer was working on the coinage of Harold II prior to the publication of his major article on this coinage in 1990, but which were only referred to incidentally in the article concerned. They show the utility of die-study in relation to the later Anglo-Saxon coinage.
Author: BNS Blog Coordinator
A Fresh Look at Phase II Hiberno-Scandinavian Pennies – Robert Page
In this brief study I have examined images of a number of obverse types of Hiberno-Scandinavian Phase II coins in order to determine the relative abundance of each; an article targeted at collectors rather than academic numismatists!
A Re-evaluation of the Classification of Henry V Pennies – Dave Greenhalgh
A Die Study of James I Shillings – Second Issue, mm Coronet – Gary Oddie and Michael Thompson
This note continues the die studies of James I shillings, working backwards through the mintmarks of the second issue. Here the mintmark Coronet is presented. On 17th May 1609 there was £67 2s 5½d of silver at the trial of the pyx, representing coins struck in the 16 months since the previous trial on 11th November 1607. This mintmark has the first appearance of the 5th Bust. Working through the previous die studies, six distinct varieties of the 5th bust have been identified, three of which can be found with mm coronet. This study includes 92 specimens struck from 68 obverse and 79 reverse dies, with just 6 die pair duplicates. The sample statistics are poor but suggest that this issue of shillings had 198 obverse and 477 reverse dies.
AEDRIC or AEL(F)RIC : A Canterbury Moneyer For Edward The Confessor’s Facing Bust/Small Cross Type – Hugh Pagan
This note argues that Canterbury coins of Edward the Confessor’s Facing Bust/Small Cross type previously attributed to a moneyer Aedric were in reality struck by a moneyer Aelfric, recorded at Canterbury for the preceding type, Hammer Cross.
A Die Study of Victorian Shillings Dated 1878-Gary Oddie
The year 1878 is the penultimate for which die numbers were used on the shillings and it is clear that the process of adding the numbers was becoming less precise. Several of the die numbers are very weakly entered on the die, and others have been entered two, three or more times. This date is characterised by the use of two different Obverses (P.J. Davies Obv. 5 and Obv. 6). These were not used in a simple sequence. A hybrid Obverse die has also been discovered, with characteristics of both of these Obverses, found exclusively with die number 53. To add further complexity, for die numbers 49-54, each die number is known on two or more distinct dies. An almost complete set of known die numbers, including the varieties, is presented with enlarged photographs.
Grading Competition – Gary Oddie
For many years the topic of coin grading has vexed collectors, dealers and auctioneers alike. This short blog presents the British and Sheldon grading schemes and then illustrates a small group of Victorian young head coins. Readers are asked to grade them using the Sheldon system. The results can be compared with the ‘official grades’ as all of the pieces have been encapsulated or slabbed by third party graders – TPGs. A similar variability is seen when dealers and collectors grade the same coins.
An Unrecorded Pattern Shilling of 1840 – Gary Oddie
This note presents an 1840 shilling of Queen Victoria. It was initially considered to be a proof striking. However on closer inspection, the coin differs very slightly in almost every detail when compared to a circulating coin. On the obverse the hair is more finely engraved and in lower relief, and on the reverse the whole of the wreath is finer, leaving more “open space” between the design elements. The differences are extremely subtle but sufficient for the piece to be considered a pattern.
Amos Winch of Shoe Lane – Paul & Bente Withers
This little token, with the outer legend missing, turned up among the items from the David Rogers collection. A search through all the index entries for ‘king’s head’ in Williamson brought no result, so we sent the photos to Michael Dickinson, who came up with the answer. The one remaining question is why it was struck on a small flan or cut down.
Card Advertising Tokens c.1930? Part 2 – Gary Oddie
Following the recent publication of eleven card tokens, ten being penny size and one a halfpenny size, all bearing on one side a printed image of a very worn bun head penny of Queen Victoria, as might be expected further examples have been found. Background searches have also uncovered more details for some of the issuers already presented. This note will begin with details of the new pieces, followed by new information about the pieces in the previous note.
BNS Research Blog 