This note will take another look at the Stuart hammered silver coins that have been countermarked with a cartouche containing various Roman numerals; III, VI, VII and VII above a horizontal I. The five previously published specimens are presented and discussed along with a further piece that might be attributed to this group. The weights of the pieces are found to correlate with the numeral in the countermark, but no plausible explanation for the issue has been found. All of the pieces should be considered as unsolved until new evidence appears.
Tudors and Stuarts
Including Cromwell and The Commonwealth.
A New Bust Type for James I Shillings – Gary Oddie
The silver coins issued during the reign of James I have received very little attention since Morrieson’s publications over a century ago. The scarce crowns have been revisited with extensive die studies, but the lower denominations have had nothing more than the occasional notice of a die sinker’s error or a new overstruck initial mark. A new transitional bust for the first issue shilling was first noticed in 2007 and this short note presents a new bust for the second issue shillings with initial mark key.
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.
An Unusual James I Shilling – Gary Oddie
An Early Reference to A Caroli Fortuna Resurgam Scarborough Siege Piece – Hugh Pagan
Contemporary Counterfeits of Durham House Shillings of Edward VI – Gary Oddie
Contemporary counterfeits of the base shillings of Edward VI are well known struck in brass or copper. Almost all display the Timor Domini Fons Vitae legend. This note presents two specimens of a contemporary counterfeit shilling displaying a version of the legend that is found exclusively on the second issue base shillings struck at the Durham House mint – Inimicos Eius Induam Confusione. Interestingly the plating is tin or zinc based, with only a small trace of silver on one side of one of the pieces.
Charles I – The coinage of Newark,1645-46 – Alan Worby
A new study of the dies used at Newark during the English Civil War. Hopefully this will act as a useful referencing tool for all..
An Undated James I Sixpence – J. Davidson
A 2018 metal detecting find has revealed a previously unrecorded variety of James I sixpence, with no date present on the reverse. Although described in the Portable Antiquities Scheme as a probable contemporary copy, evidence is presented here that the coin is, in fact, genuine. As such, the coin is most likely due to a die-sinker’s error, and provides an interesting addition to the coins of this reign.
A New Type of Shovel Board Shilling – Gary Oddie
Some years ago I wrote a short article on hammered shillings that had an extra silver rim added, probably for use in the game of Shovel Board Shilling. Contemporary references from the Tudor and Stuart period were identified along with a surviving original table that was 27 feet long at Astley Hall, Lancashire.Since the original article, an image of another shovel board table has been found and several more shillings have come to light, including two pieces with a different design. This note presents details of the 15 pieces known to the author.
A Modern Copy of an Edward VI Fine Shilling – Philip Mernick and Gary Oddie
Copies of low grade hammered silver coins are quite unusual and when they are released slowly, no suspicion is raised. When die/mould duplicates appear showing the same features the game is given away. This note presents details of an Edward VI fine shilling with i.m. y. It is now known from five different specimens all showing the same flan crease, damage, and die/mould flaws.
BNS Research Blog 