This note presents a contemporary photograph of a ten-shilling note that is possibly a trial printing for the issues made by the Limerick Soviet 15-27 April 1919. The press photograph originates from the USA. The style of note is previously unknown and any help locating a specimen or the publication that used the image will be gratefully received via the BNS Blog.
Irish
The Limerick Soviet Shilling Notes – 1919 and 2019 – Gary Oddie
Shortly after the Irish war of Independence began in January 1919, several areas declared themselves as self-governing Soviets. When Limerick was declared a Special Military area by the British army on 9 April, a general strike was called to start on the 14th and the Limerick Soviet began. Negotiations brought an end to the strike on 27 April. From 15-27 April a series of 1, 5 and 10 shilling notes were issued, and these are well-known to collectors. Less well known are the 1, 5 and 10 shilling notes that were issued in Limerick for the centenary celebrations. The notes circulated in several Limerick shops and businesses, exchanging at 1 shilling = 1 euro, and ceased circulation at midnight on 1 May 2019. There are similarities with the British Transition Town notes such as the Bristol, Lewes or Totnes Pounds.
The Jacks put to their Trumps: A Tale of a King James’s Irish Shilling – Gary Oddie
This short note presents details of a recent chance find of a pamphlet dated 1714. The 27 verses describe, in the first person, the life of a gunmoney shilling in the decades after its issue. This work was once attributed to Jonathan swift, though not conclusively. The work has similarities to better-known works by Joseph Addison (Adventures Of A Shilling, 1710) and John Taylor (A Shilling, or, the travailes of a twelve pence, 1621).
Some gunmoney-related evidence in French diplomatic and military correspondence, 1689-90 – Oisín Mac Conamhna
The purpose of this note is to highlight some evidence of relevance to gunmoney in French correspondence of 1689-90, particularly that of Antoine de Mesmes, the Comte d’Avaux, the French ambassador to the Irish court of James II.[1] Reference is also made to correspondence held in French state, military, and naval archives, which was published in the 1980s.
Further Lis-by-Neck Waterford Pennies of Edward IV or V and Richard III – Kelvin Brosz and Oisín Mac Conamhna
The purpose of this note is to document two further lis-by-neck pennies of Waterford of Edward IV or V, and Richard III, which have recently come to light.
A Pattern for King John’s Irish Coinage – Glenn Gittoes
In 2000 an unusual coin was found muling a Short Cross obverse of class VIa1 with a previously unrecorded reverse die reading +IOHANNESOND. The note publishes the coin and suggests the coin could be a pattern for King John’s Irish REX coinage. The author also discusses documentary evidence that leads him to suggest revised dates for the REX coinage.
An Unrecorded Penny Variant of the Drogheda Mint, from the Second Cross & Pellets Coinage of Edward IV, 1470-3 – Oisín Mac Conamhna
The purpose of this brief note is to record a new Drogheda penny variant of Edward IV’s second cross and pellets Irish coinage.
A Waterford Penny of Richard III (1483-85) – Oisín Mac Conamhna, Robert Page & Alan Smith
A description and discussion of a rare Irish coin dating to Richard III’s reign, with conclusions drawn as to it’s likely origin, and how it may relate to other similar coins of the period.
BNS Research Blog 