This note continues the die studies of James I shillings, tackling some of the easier (rarer) mintmarks of the second issue first. Though shillings with mm plain cross are very rare, with only 9s1d of silver tried at the pyx, three obverse and two reverse dies have been found.
Tudors and Stuarts
Including Cromwell and The Commonwealth.
A Die Study of James I Shillings – Third Issue, mm Spur Rowell – Gary Oddie
This note continues the die studies of James I shillings. Having found just two specimens from one pair of dies, it is a bit trivial, but this great rarity is included for completeness.
Henry VIII: A Possible Candidate for Archbishop Warham’s Mark? – Lee Stone
An Example of a Henry VI Annulet Issue York Penny from the Ecclesiastical Mint? – Lee Stone
The aim of this article is to help support the opinion of Lord Stewartby that the York pennies with the mullet and lis by the crown were minted during the Annulet Issue of Henry VI rather than Henry V. Reader comments are invited!
A Die Study of Charles I Shillings – mm Heart – Gary Oddie
The previous two notes identified a counterfeit Charles I shilling, of type 1b2 mintmark Heart. The quality suggested it was cast from a genuine coin, and so the search began to identify dies of this scarce issue and mintmark. Ultimately the counterfeit was found to be a die duplicate of Brooker 434. The die study has been extended to look at 34 coins, with mintmark Heart, from 14 obverse and 16 reverse dies. The results are presented here.
An Unusual Counterfeit Charles I 1b2 Shilling, mm Heart – Gary Oddie
This note presents a detailed analysis of a recently acquired Charles I shilling. It’s weight was suspiciously low and the colour not quite right. XRF analysis reveals a low silver content and the density confirms the alloy to be almost pure copper. Apart from the curious alloy it is an exceptional cast copy of a coin that is a die duplicate of Brooker 434. Unless any compelling evidence of more recent manufacture is found, e.g., the discovery of more identical specimens or further analysis reveals unexpected metals, I am inclined to consider this to be of near-contemporary manufacture. Also see:
A Token of Appreciation for a Jacobean Hoard – Gary Oddie
In August 1847 a hoard of silver coins was found by workmen digging a foundation at Deighton, four miles south of York. The coins ranged from the reign of Mary to James I, with the latest datable to 1613. Some of the coins were donated to the Yorkshire Philosophical Society and are now in York Museum. The rest were returned to the landowner, Lord Wenlock.A silver tankard was made, with several of the coins mounted on the outside, and presented to the finder. The location of the tankard was unknown until it appeared at auction in 2014 when it was sold along with a silver salver, also mounted with silver coins. From the weights of the tankard and salver, it is speculated that the hoard was melted to provide the silver.
Elizabeth I, 1562 Threepence, New Obverse Die – Adrian Curry
A New Bust Variety for 1676 Charles II Shillings – Gary Oddie
This note presents a previously unnoticed variety of the 2nd bust appearing on shillings of 1676.Whilst looking into this, an inconstancy in the description of the bust type in the new (2015) ESC by Bull is identified and clarified.
BNS Research Blog 