The Silver Coins of England
Edward Hawkins, 1841
Mint Marks
In former times it was customary to grant to various individuals, in different parts of the country, the privilege of coining and issuing money in the name of the reigning sovereign. The pieces so issued were to be of a prescribed type, size, weight and standard, that there might be one uniform appearance in the coins circulating in the kingdom. It is probable that in many instances the dies were actually made in London and transmitted to the various mints where they were to be used. To prevent fraud, it was necessary that the coins issued from every mint should be tested, and for this purpose the Trial of the Pix at Westminster was established, whereby pieces taken at random from the whole mass coined at each mint were melted and assayed, and, if found to be of the prescribed weight and fineness, the moneyers, masters, and workers of the mint received their quietus, and were freed from all charges which might thereafter be brought against them, grounded upon any imputed failure in the execution of the contract under which their privilege had been granted to them. It was probably in order that each moneyer's coins might be separated at these trials of the Pix, and that each might be responsible only for his own works, that the names of the moneyers, or of the mint, or both, were stampt upon the coin and formed a part of the type.
As these trials of the Pix were only occasional, and took place at irregular periods, sometimes very frequently and sometimes very rarely, it became necessary that there should be upon the pieces, coined at different times and perhaps under different contracts, some distinctive mark, "that so the moneys from which the contracters were not discharged might be distinguished from those for which they had already received their quietus." These marks are usually called privy, or mint marks; a fresh one was adopted after every trial of the Pix; and each new mark was continued upon the coins of each mint until a fresh trial of the Pix took place. During the period that mints were established in a variety of places, different marks would of course be used concurrently; but upon coins issued from the same mint the marks would indicate a succession of coinages, and, had proper registers been kept and preserved at our several mints, they would have answered the purpose of dates in controuling the arrangement of a cabinet. The mint marks upon the Durham episcopal coins are generally derived from the armorial bearings of the Bishop for the time being, and are consequently as well susceptible of a strict chronological arrangement as if they had actually borne a date. There are however some exceptions to such a general rule, when, even in the same mint, there are two concurrent marks. upon the sixpences of Queen Elizabeth we may find not unfrequently the same date with two different mint marks; this in general arises from the circumstances of the trial of the Pix having taken place in the middle of the year, one mark having been used in the beginning, another towards the close of the year: as for instance the portcullis may have been used at the beginning of 1566, the lion at the end, and again the lion at the beginning of 1567 and the coronet at the end. But there are some irregularities for which there is a difficulty in accounting; the sword was used in 1582, so also was the bell which continued to be used in 1583, the letter A was also used in 1582 and 1583, so that at least two mint marks were used concurrently; the same circumstance occurred in 1595 with the ton, woolpack, and key; the want of proper records prevents our obtaining an explanation of these anomalies.
The piety of our ancestors induced them to make a cross, variously modified and decorated, a conspicuous part of the type of their coins; and also to place a cross at the commencement of the legend, sometimes on the obverse, sometimes on the reverse, and sometimes on both; and it was very frequently made to serve the double purpose of being the Christian symbol and the last letter of the word Rex. But when mint marks, properly so called, came into use, they usurped the place, at the beginning or end of the legend, which had been usually occupied by the cross.
When the names of the moneyers and of mints were of general occurrence upon coins, mint marks were less necessary, and, if there were any further indications of peculiar coinages, they have escaped detection, or at least have not been recognised as such; there are however peculiarities upon some coins for which it seems difficult to account, but upon some such principle. See Rud. xviii. 28. xix. 15. xx. 21. 22. 23. and other coins of the reigns of Eadred, Eadwig, Eadgar, &c. &c. Of such, as they occur only occasionally and somewhat rarely, it would not avail to any good purpose to enter into a detailed statement; but it may be of some interest to have an account of such marks as we know to have been intended to distinguish between different coinages, and we have to express our regrets that want of leisure prevents our making such an investigation into the minute details of History, as might enable us to explain the meaning and the origin of many of them. We feel satisfied that a great number of them were not mere forms accidentally adopted, but were symbols or badges of some illustrious patron, or some distinguished personage connected with the mint where they were used, or of the place where the mint was established. Of such a description of marks we have conspicuous and well known examples in the armorial bearings upon the coins of Durham, the cardinal's cap on some coins of York, the ton upon the coins of Abp. Morton, and the knot upon those of Abp. Bourchier. This last, from what of attention to the feeling which frequently prompted the adoption of peculiar marks, has generally been called a crown of thorns. There are some others whose import we may be able to explain in the subsequent pages, and there are doubtless many more which will be elucidated by the perseverance and research of numismatists now that their attention has been directed to the subject; and we are convinced that these labours will be rewarded by the many interesting particulars, which will be brought to bear upon the history of our national coinage.
It was not until the reign of the first Edwards that the regular mint marks began to be adopted, and we need not therefore look back to a remoter period, and endeavour to draw conclusions from the indefinite marks, which appear upon some coins; such as the letters which follow the moneyers' names upon the coins of Henry II. But besides those objects which are usually called mint marks, and which are generally ranged with the line of the legend, there are various marks which are modifications or variations from the ordinary types, or are additions thereto, and all of which have the effect, even if they were not intended to have the object, of enabling us to separate one coinage from another, and which therefore we think it will be interesting to point out.
The first instance of the substitution of any object for the usual Christian symbol occurs in the reign of Henry III., but with what view the change took place there does not seem to be any means of ascertaining. Upon some of his coins, a mullet or a star appears above his head at the commencement of the legend; and upon others the star is represented between the horns of a crescent. This badge was borne by Richard I. and appears upon his great seals; it was adopted by John, for we find it upon his Irish coins; and it was continued by Henry III., for we know that none but menials of his own household were allowed to wear it. See Rot. Parl. Vol. III. p. 4776. This combined mark is a symbol of the Turkish empire, even down to the present day; we find it upon the golden medals presented by the Sultan to the English officers who served in the Egyptian campaign in 1802, and we find it emblazoned on the shields of some families, whose ancestors are said to have distinguished themselves in the course of the crusades. Whether the adoption of this mark upon the coin, at the particular time when it was struck, had any allusion to these paroxysms of enthusiasm it is difficult to say, but Henry III. did certainly, at least at one time, urge his barons to grant him a liberal supply of money under the plea of undertaking a crusade; and it s not impossible that he might have stampt such of his money as was issued at that period with the Turkish badge in token of a conquest, which he never achieved, nor even intended to attempt.
Upon the regal coins of this reign we do not find any thing which usually receives the name of mint mark, but we fancy we can distinguish three separate coinages which may be known by
A large cross, having a long line at the termination of each limb. p. 93.
A smaller compact cross. p. 93.
A similar cross, with a star upon the king's breast. p. 93.
And upon some coins there is a rose upon the king's breast. p. 94. (292).
Some Berwick coins have a bear's head in one quarter of the cross, in allusion to the arms and name of the place. p. 94. 95. 96. (291).
The episcopal coins of Durham have a cross moline, the arms of Bishop Beck in one quarter, or sometimes the same object as MM. p. 94.
Reading coins have in one quarter an escallop shell, from the arms of the abbey in that town. p. 94.
York coins have generally an open quatrefoil in the centre of the reverse, and sometimes a cross on the king's breast p. 95.
Edward II.
London. No mint mark.
Durham. Cross moline, arms of Bishop Beck. p. 97.
Cross termination of cross bent to the left. Bp. Kellow. p. 97.
Lion rampant and one or more lis, arms of Bp. Beaumont. p. 97.
Open square in middle of reverse. p. 97. (302).
York. Three dots with pellets in one quarter. p. 97. (303).
Edward III.
Groats.
London.
Cross. p. 98. (307).
Cross, annulet in one quarter. p. 98.
Cross, annulet in spandril under head. p. 98.
Cross, row of annulets under head. p. 98.
Crown. p. 98.
York.
Cross.
Half-groats.
London.
Cross. p. 99. (308).
Cross, annulet in one quarter.
Cross, annulet in spandril under head. p. 99. (309).
Crown.
York.
Cross.
Pence.
London.
Cross, annulet in each quarter. p. 100.
Cross, annulet in one quarter. p. 100.
Cross, annulet in one quarter and on bread. p 100. (310).
Cross, quatrefoil on breast. p. 100.
Crown, annulet in one quarter. p. 100.
Durham.
Crozier end of cross bent to right. Bp. Hat-field. p. 100.
Crozier, annulet on breast. p. 100.
Crozier, quatrefoil after legend and before REX. p. 100.
Crozier, open quatrefoil in centre of cross. p. 100.
Crozier, end bent to left. p. 100.
Crozier, annulet inclosing two pellets in centre of rev. p. 100. (313).
Annulet in centre of cross and in each angle. p. 101.
York.
Cross, quatrefoil in centre of rev. p. 101.
Cross, quatrefoil in centre of rev and at right of MM. p. 101. (311).
Cross, quatrefoil at left of MM. p. 101.
Halfpence.
London.
Pellet in first quarter. p. 101.
Pellet in fourth quarter and side of crown. p. 101.
Cross in first quarter. p. 101.
Cross in third quarter. p. 101.
Star after AN and before London. p. 101.
Cross at side of crown. p. 101.
Reading.
Escallop shell in one angle. p. 101. (315).
Escallop shell in one angle and star after AN and VILLA. p. 101.
Farthing..
London.
Star after A and before LONDON. p. 101.
Richard II.
Groat and Half-groat.
London.
Cross. p. 102.
Penny.
London.
Lis on breast, pellet at sides of neck. p. 102.
York.
Cross. p. 102.
Cross on breast, pellet over shoulders, two pellets in first quarter. p. 102. (319).
Cross on breast. p. 102.
Cross on breast, escallops in legend. p. 102.
Durham.
Cross on breast. p. 102.
Halfpenny.
London.
Cross on breast. p. 103.
Henry IV.
Heavy Groat.
London.
Cross, annulet in two quarters. p. 103.
Half-groat..
London.
Cross. p. 104.
Penny.
York.
Cross, open quatrefoil in centre of rev. p. 104. (337).
Light Groat.
York.
Cross, pellet at side and above crown, trefoil on breast. p. 104. (325).
Pence.
York.
Cross, cross on breast, annulet and mullet at sides of head. p. 105. (326).
Cross, cross on breast, annulet? and pellet at sides of crown. p. 105. (327).
Henry VI.
Groat.
York.
Cross, lis at sides of breast, annulet in two quarters. p. 105. (336).
Lis, E on breast. p. 106.
Half-groat.
Pence.
York.
Cross crosslet, cross at sides of head. p. 106.
Cross crosslet, saltire at sides of head. p. 106.
Cross crosslet, mullet at sides of head, rose before REX and EBORACI, lozenge after REX before TAS. p. 106. (340).
Cross crosslet, cinquefoil and annulet at sides. p. 106.
Cross pierced, cinquefoil and lis at sides of crown, annulet in one quarter. p. 106.
Cross pierced, cinquefoil and trefoil at sides, annulet in one quarter. p. 106.
Cross pierced, mullet and trefoil at sides. p. 106.
Cross pierced, cross and annulet at sides. p. 106.
Cross pierced, cinquefoil at sides. p. 106.
Cross pierced, trefoil at sides. p. 106.
Cross pierced, lis at sides, annulet in one quarter, p. 106.
Cross pierced. cinquefoil and annulet. p. 106.
Halfpenny.
York.
Cross fleury? pellet at sides of crown. p. 106. (339).
Cross pierced, lis at sides of neck, annulet in two quarters. p. 106.
Farthing.
York.
C. I. p. 106. Cancellarius Iohannes Kemp.
Key under head. p. 107.
Henry VI., light money.
Groat.
London.
Cross. p. 108.
Cross, rev. cross pierced, lis after DEVM. p. 108. (342).
Bristol.
Rose. p. 108.
Lis. p. 108.
Cross, rev. rose. p. 108. (341).
York.
Lis. p. 108.
Half-groats.
London.
Cross pierced. p. 108. (343).
York.
Lis.
Halfpenny.
London.
Cross, something on breast, lozenge after REX. p. 108. 344.
Cross, three pellets at sides of neck. p. 108.
Cross pierced. p. 109.
Farthing.
London.
Cross before and after REX. p. 109. (346).
Henry IV. V. VI.
Unattributed Mint Marks
Groats.
London.
Cross, mullet on breast, cross after POSVI. p. 109.
Cross voided, leave on breast, and under last letter, lozenge after REX and before DONDON. p. 109. (328).
Cross crosslet, three pellets at sides of neck, rev. cross. p. 109.
Cross crosslet, three pellets at sides of neck, CIVITAS. p. 109.
Cross crosslet, three pellets at sides of neck, pellet in two quarters, leaf? on breast. p. 109.
Cross crosslet, pellet in two quarters, and at sides of crown, cross on neck, lozenge after HENRIC and GRA. p. 109. (329).
Cross crosslet, also a pierced mullet after POSVI. p. 109.
Cross crosslet, rev. cross, lozenge after REX and CIVITAS, rose after HENRIC.DI.GRA.ANGL.POSVI and LONDON. p. 109. (330).
Cross crosslet, leaf instead of rose, none after ANGL. p. 109.
Cross crosslet, leaf omitted after HENRIC and GRA. p. 109.
Cross crosslet, three pellets at sides of neck, after GRA. and LONDON, leaf before LONDON. p. 110.
Cross pierced, lozenge after CIVITAS, rose after LONDON. p. 110.
Cross pierced, annulet in two quarters, and after POSVI. p. 110.
Lis, rev cross. p. 110.
Half-groats.
London.
Cross pierced, star on breast, annulet and three pellets at side of crown. p. 110. (331).
Cross pierced, pellets omitted. p. 110.
Cross pierced, star on left breast. p. 110.
Cross pierced. rose after HENRIC DI GRA. lozenge before, leaf after LONDON. p. 110.
Cross. p. 110.
Cross crosslet, annulet after POSVI and in two quarters. p. 109.
Cross crosslet, leaf after HENRIC. DI. GRA. and LONDON. lozenge after REX and CIVITAS. p. 110.
Pennies.
London.
Cross. p. 110.
Cross, mullet and trefoil at sides of crown. p. 110.
Cross, lis and trefoil at sides of crown. p. 110.
Cross, annulet in two quarters. p. 110.
Cross, lozenge after REX, cross at side of crown. p. 110.
Cross fleuree? lozenge before and after REX, trefoil after HEN. cross on breast, pellet at sides of crown, and in two quarters. p. 110. (333).
Cross fleuree? annulet and pellet at sides of crown, trefoil before, cross after REX, leaf? on breast, pellet in each quarter. p. 11.
Durham.
Cross, mullet left of crown, lozenge after REX and DVNOLMI. p. 111. (332).
Cross crosslet? lozenge after DVNOLMI. p. 111.
MM ? trefoil on breast. p. 111.
MM ? lis on breast, D in centre of cross. p. 111.
MM ? M or CD in centre of cross. p. 111.
MM ? M or CD in centre of cross, pellet at sides of crown. p. 111.
MM ? mullet and annulet at sides of crown, annulet in two quarters. p. 111.
MM ? quatrefoil after obv. legend and CIVITAS. p. 111.
Cross crosslet, annulet in centre of rev. p. 111.
Halfpennies.
London.
Cross, lozenge? before, rosette? after, LONDON. p. 111.
Cross, cross on breast, pellet at sides of crown. Sir H. ELLIS.
Cross, leaf on breast. p. 111.
Cross, leaf on breast, pellets at sides of crown and in two quarters. p. 111.
Cross, leaf on breast and pellet under DON. p. 111.
Cross, leaf on breast, lozenge after REX. lis? under LON. p. 111.
Cross, leaf on breast, cross before lozenge after REX. p. 111.
Cross, annulet at sides of crown. p. 111.
Cross, three pellets and annulet at sides of crown. p. 111.
Cross, annulet in two quarters. p. 111.
Cross, pellet in two quarters. p. 111.
Cross fleury, or crosslet, lozenge before REX and TAS, leaf after REX. p. 112. (334).
Cross fleury, lozenge before, leaf after REX. p. 112.
Cross fleury, lozenge after, rose before REX, rose after LONDON, lozenge before TAS. p. 112.
Cross fleury, lozenge also before LONDON. p. 112.
Cross fleury, lozenge after REX, something before it. p. 112.
Cross fleury, cross at sides of neck. p. 112.
Cross fleury, pellet at sides of crown. p. 112.
Cross fleury, pellet at sides of crown, and two crosses after ANGLI. p. 112.
Cross fleury, annulet at sides of crown, two crosses after REX, one before CIVITAS and LONDON. p. 112.
Edward IV.
Early Groats.
London.
Rose, quatrefoil at sides of neck. p. 112.
Rose, quatrefoil, crescent on breast. p. 112.
Rose, quatrefoil, crescent on breast, annulet before legend. p. 112. (347).
Cross, lis on neck, pellet at sides of crown, and in two quarters. p. 112.
Cross, similar, but the lis on the breast. p. 112.
Cross crosslet, lis on neck; rev. lis. p. 112.
Other Groats.
London.
Cross pierced and pellet; rose after DEVM. p. 112.
Cross, with pellet in each angle; rev. cross pierced. p. 112.
Cross fitchee, trefoil at sides of neck; rev. sun. p. 112.
Heraldic cinquefoil; rose on breast and after DEVM. p. 113.
Heraldic cinquefoil; rose before MEVM, four crosses after legend. p. 113.
Rose, annulet at sides of neck, lozenge after CIVITAS. p. 113.
Rose, quatrefoil at sides, pellet in one quarter. p. 113.
Sun, quatrefoil at sides. p. 113.
Sun, quatrefoil at sides, lis after TAS.
Crown, quatrefoil at sides. p. 113.
Crown, quatrefoil at sides and on breast, rev. sun. p. 113.
Crown, B. on breast, rev. crown. p. 113.
Annulet. p. 113.
Annulet, annulet after DI and REX. p. 113.
Annulet inclosing pellet; rose at sides of neck. p. 113.
Annulet, star and rose at sides of neck. p. 113.
Boar's head, pellet under head. p. 113. Edw. V.? see p. 278.
Bristol.
Crown, B on breast, quatrefoil at sides of neck. p. 113.
Sun, B on breast, quatrefoil at sides of neck. p. 113.
Sun, B on breast, trefoil at sides of neck. p. 113.
Conventry.
Sun, quatrefoil at sides of neck. p. 113.
Sun, C on breast, quatrefoil at sides of neck. p. 113.
Norwich.
Sun, N on breast, quatrefoil at sides of neck. p. 113.
York.
Lis, E on breast. p. 113.
Lis, E on breast, quatrefoil at sides of neck. p. 113.
Lis, E on breast, trefoil at sides of neck. p. 113.
Lis, E on breast, quatrefoil at sides; rev. crown. p. 113.
Lis, E on breast, quatrefoil at sides; rev. sun. p. 113.
Sun, E on breast, quatrefoil at sides, rev. sun. p. 113.
Cross, trefoil between the words of legend. p. 114.
Early half-groats.
London.
Rose, crescent? under the chin. p. 114.
Cross, lis on breast, pellet at sides of crown, line across breast. p. 114.
Other half-groats.
London.
Annulet. p. 114.
Cross pierced. p. 114.
Crown, trefoil at sides of neck. p. 114.
Crown, quatrefoil at sides of neck. p. 114.
Crown, quatrefoil at sides of neck and on breast. p. 114.
Bristol.
Crown, quatrefoil at sides of neck. p. 114.
Sun. p. 114.
Cross, lis on breast, pellet at sides of crown, line across breast. p. 114.
Canterbury.
Rose. p. 114.
Rose, C on centre of cross, p. 114.
Rose, rose or star on centre. p. 114.
Rose, trefoil at sides of neck. p. 114.
Cross fitchee; rev. heraldic cinquefoil. p. 114.
Crown, cross? at sides of neck. p. 114.
Crown, trefoil at sides of neck, rev. sun. p. 114.
Crown, millwrine? at side of neck. p. 114.
Archiepiscopal pall, knot under head, rev. sun. p. 114.
Archiepiscopal pall, knot under head, quatrefoil at sides of neck, rev. sun. p. 114.
Archiepiscopal pall, triangular dots in field of obv., rev. MM. pall. p. 114.
Archiepiscopal pall, cross over the pall, rev. MM. pall. p. 114. (349). where see explanation of knot.
Norwich.
Sun, N on breast, quatrefoil at sides of neck. p. 115.
York.
Lis, quatrefoil at sides of neck, cross after DEVM. p. 115. (350).
Cross, R and cross at sides of neck. p. 115.
Pence.
London.
Cinquefoil. p. 115.
Cross pierced. p. 115.
Cross fitchee. p. 115.
Sun, quatrefoil at sides of neck. p. 115.
Crown, quatrefoil at sides of neck. p. 115.
Crown, lis on neck, pellet at sides of crown, and in two quarters. p. 115.
Bristol.
Crown, trefoil? at right of neck. p. 115. (351).
Durham.
Crown, quatrefoil at sides of neck. p. 115.
Crown, rose on centre of reverse. p. 115.
Crown, rose on centre of reverse, pellet in one quarter. p. 115.
Crown, lis at sides of neck, D on centre of reverse. p. 115.
Crown, trefoil and B at sides of neck. p. 115.
Rose, D on centre of rev. V in first quarter, pellet in each quarter. p. 116.
Rose, quatrefoil at sides of neck, B at left of crown, quatrefoil in centre of rev. p. 116.
Rose, D in centre of reverse. p. 116.
Rose, B to right, quatrefoil to left of neck. p. 116.
Rose?, D to left, quatrefoil to right of neck, small trefoil? in DE VM. p. 116.
Crown, D and quatrefoil at sides of neck. p. 116.
Crown, D and V at sides of neck. p. 116.
Cross, rose on centre of rev. p. 116. (352).
Cross, rose on centre of rev. pellet in one quarter. p. 116.
Cross, rose on centre of rev. two pellets between each word, E reversed. p. 116.
York.
Rose. p. 116.
Rose, rose on breast. p. 116.
Rose, rose on breast and at sides of neck. p. 116.
Rose, E and rose at sides of neck. p. 116.
Rose, lis or cross at sides of neck, cross at end of obv. legend. p. 116.
Rose, key and rose at sides of neck. p. 116.
Rose, G and key at sides of neck. p. 116.
Rose, G and rose at sides of neck. p. 116.
Cinquefoil, G and key at sides of neck. p. 116.
Cross patee fitchee, G and key at sides of neck. p. 116.
Lis, G and key at sides of neck. p. 116.
Lis, B and key at sides of neck. p. 116.
Lis, T and key at sides of neck. p. 116.
Halfpence.
London.
Rose. quatrefoil at sides of neck, annulet inclosing pellet under the head. p. 117.
Cross, pellet at sides of crown, and in two quarters, lis on neck. p. 117.
Cross fitchee, trefoil at sides of neck. p. 117.
Heraldic cinquefoil. p. 117.
Rose. p. 117.
Rose, annulet at sides of neck. p. 117.
Rose, cross at sides of neck. p. 117.
Coronet, trefoil at sides of neck. p. 117.
Coronet, cross and lis at sides of neck. p. 117.
Star, pellet at each side of neck. p. 117.
Star, star at each side of neck. p. 117.
Cross pierced. p. 117.
Cross pierced, cross at sides of neck. p. 117.
Cross pierced, pellet at sides of neck. p. 117.
Spur rowel?
MM ? trefoil at sides of neck, wedge shaped dot in one quarter. p. 117.
Durham.
MM ? letter ? at sides of head, D in centre of rev. p. 117.
Bristol.
Crown, trefoil at sides of neck. p. 117. (353).
Canterbury.
MM ? trefoil at sides of neck. p. 117.
Rose, C on breast. p. 117.
Discussion of the Badges of the Edwards
The boar was a badge of Edward III., see Archaeologia, V. 17. and might therefore have been borne by any of his descendants, but Richard III. is the only one to whom we can trace its adoption. Sir Henry Ellis, who for many years has noted every passage he could meet with, either in manuscript or print, in which the badges borne by Edw. IV. are mentioned, has not been able to discover a single instance of his using the boar. It does however appear upon a groat bearing the name of Edward. Now we are distinctly told by Ross of Warwick that coins were struck by Edw. V. during his short reign; and it has been conjectured that, if such was the case, his father's head was retained upon the coin, as was not unusual at the commencement of a reign, and of which custom we have a remarkable instance in the case of Henry VIII., after the heads upon our coins had begun to assume the character of portraits. Is there not then some probability that the coins which have the boar's head mint mark and the name of Edward, were struck by the authority of Edward V. when Richard III. was protector. The portrait upon the groat which bears this mark more resembles that which appears upon coins with the name of Richard, than on the generality of those which are considered the money of Edward IV.
The objects which are called quatrefoils and trefoils are in general rather groups of four or three pellets; and can scarcely be considered as definite forms having any specific meaning or allusion. To the true cinquefoil we have generally prefixed the term heraldic.
The crown, as a common symbol of royalty, the rose, as a badge of the houses of York and Lancaster, and of the reigning monarchs of England from the time of the union of these two houses, do not require any remark or explanation.
The sun was one of the favorite badges of Edward IV., which he is said to have assumed in consequence of the appearance of three suns previous to his successful engagement at Mortimer's Cross, "and for this cause menne ymagined that he gaue the sun in his full brightnesse for his badge or cognizance," and accordingly we find it upon some of his coins; especially upon his noble, where, as well as upon some other pieces, it appears with a rose upon the centre. There is an object which occurs upon his seals and upon his coins which, though called by all writers a sun, we think it possible was intended for something else; upon one of his great seals we find it alternately with roses occupying the whole field; upon some of his other seals we find it placed as a companion opposite to a rose, and we also find it upon some of his coins. This object is always represented more like an expanded flower than a sun, with petals rounded at the ends, broader at the margin than at the centre, not with rays sharply pointed. The sun is well represented upon the noble, Rud. iii. 4. and the angel, Rud. Sup. vi. 23., but the object in question is not well represented upon any plate with which we are acquainted, we can therefore only refer to the coins themselves in support of our opinion that there is some object which has usually been called a sun which in reality may not have been intended for such. Upon one of the gold coins of Edward IV., and frequently upon the coins of Richard III., as well silver as gold, this object is represented dimidiated with the rose, under which single name it has generally been described.
As we have not been able to discover any authority for assigning to Edward IV. any flower as a badge, we have been obliged to follow in the traces of our predecessors, and give to this equivocal object the name of sun, contenting ourselves with calling the attention of our readers to the subject, that the error may be rectified, if accident or research should hereafter throw a correcter light upon the subject.
The key which appears upon many of the York coins is derived from the arms of the see.
The pall upon the Canterbury coins is adopted from the arms of the see.
The various letters which occur upon the coins are explained in the body of the work, at the pages referred to in this list.
Edward V.
Boar's head ? see page 278.
Richard III.
Groats.
London.
Boar's head. p. 118.
Boar's head, rev. rose and sun united. p. 118.
Rose and sun united. p. 118.
Rose and sun united, pellet under head p. 118.
Half groat.
London.
Rose and sun united. p. 118.
Boar's head ? p. 118.
Pennies.
Durham.
Lis, S on breast. p. 119.
York.
Rose and sun. p. 119.
Boar's head. p. 119.
Boar's head, T and key at sides of neck. p. 119. (359).
Rose, T and key at sides of neck. p. 119.
Halfpenny.
London.
Rose and sun. p. 119. (360).
Boar's head. p. 119.
Cross. p. 119.
Henry VII.
Groats..
London.
Rose, cross at sides of neck, trefoil after POSVI. p. 120.
Rose, cross at sides of neck, cross after POSVI. p. 121.
Lis upon rose. p. 121.
Lis upon rose, cross after POSVI. p. 121.
Lis upon rose, cross after POSVI, two crosses at end of obv. legend. p. 121. (362).
Lis upon rose, same but rose on breast. p. 121.
Cross. p. 121.
Cross fitchée, cross at sides of neck, before POSVI. two at end of obv. legend. p. 121. (361).
Half-groats.
Canterbury.
Ton, cross at sides of neck, M in centre of rev. Eye of Providence after POSVI. p. 121. (363).
Ton, cross at sides of neck, trefoil before TAS. p. 121.
Rose, M in centre of rev. p. 121.
Rose, lis at sides of neck, pellet? on breast, M in centre of rev. p. 121.
London.
Lis on rose. p. 121. (364).
Lis, rosettes in various parts of legends, lozenge in centre of rev. p. 122. (365).
MM uncertain, rev. MM. rosette. p. 122.
York.
Lis, rosettes in various pars of the legens, lozenge in centre of rev. p. 122.
Lis, rev. cross.
Open Crown.
Penny.
York.
Rose, T and key at sides of neck. p. 120.
Rose, T at each side of neck. p. 120.
Rose, T and lis at sides, H in centre of rev. p. 120.
Canterbury.
Ton, cross at sides of neck, M. in centre of rev. p. 122. (366).
Halfpenny.
London.
Lis on rose, p. 122. (368).
Cross, cross at sides of neck. p. 122. (369).
Cross, three pellets at sides of neck. p. 122.
Arched Crown.
Groats.
London.
Greyhound's head. p. 123. (373).
Anchor. p. 123.
Escallop, rosettes in various parts of the legends. p. 123. (372).
Cross crosslet. p. 123.
Small trefoil on rev. p. 123.
Small trefoil on rev., cross at sides of neck. p. 123. (371).
Lis above half rose. p. 123. (381).
Heraldic cinquefoil. p. 123. (380).
Cinquefoil pierced. p. 123.
Leopard's head crowned. p. 123.
Half-groats.
London.
Lis, rosettes in legend, lozenge in centre of rev. p. 124. (374.)
Canterbury.
No MM. cross at sides of neck; rev. cross, M in centre, eye after POSVI. p. 124. (382).
Ton. p. 124.
Ton and cinquefoil. p. 124.
Ton, rev. lis, rosettes in legend. p. 124.
Ton and lis, rosettes in legend. p. 124.
Lis, trefoils in legend, rev. rosettes in legend. p. 124.
York.
Martlet, key at sides of neck. p. 124. (375).
Pennies.
Canterbury.
Ton. p. 125. (376).
Halfpence.
London.
Lis. p. 125.
Canterbury.
Lis. p. 125.
Lis, rosettes in legend. p. 125. (378).
York.
MM ? key under bust. p. 125. (377).
Cross voided. p. 125.
Profile Head.
Shillings.
London.
Lis, lis or trefoil in forks of cross. p. 126. (383).
Groats.
London.
Lis. p. 126. (384).
Cross crosslet. p. 126.
Pheon. p. 126.
Greyhound. p. 126.
Half-groat.
London.
Lis. p. 126.
Cinquefoil. p. 126.
Martlet. p. 126. (385).
Pheon. p. 126.
York.
Martlet, two keys under shield.
Cinquefoil; rev. martlet, two keys under shield.
Pennies.
Durham.
D. S. p. 127.
I. S. p. 127.
Crozier. p. 127. (387).
R. D. p. 127.
Mitre. p. 127.
D. R. p. 127.
York.
Two keys under shield. p. 127.
London.
Very small cross. p. 128.
Lis. p. 128.
The junction of the lis and rose is supposed to allude to the union of the rival houses in the persons of Henry VII. and Elizabeth, the lis being a favourite badge of the Lancastrians, as the rose was that of York. Sometimes it is expressed by stamping one upon the other as (362), sometime by one issuing from the other as (381).
The M and ton upon the Canterbury coins are part of the rebus or punning symbol of the name of Abp. Morton, during whose prelacy they were struck.
The greyhound was assumed as a badge by Henry VII., perhaps in compliment to his wife, who derived it from her grandmother's family of Neville, or more probably because it was borne by his own maternal great grandfather, John de Beaufort, the Earl of Somerset.
The eye of Providence is placed immediately after POSVI, that the name and the symbol of the Divinity may be in juxta position.
The martlet generally appears upon coins of York, very rarely upon those of any other place, but its import or its reference has escaped detection.
The boar's head has been already mentioned as the peculiar badge of Richard III., from which he was described as "the wretched, bloody, and usurping boar." The rose and sun are the usual badges of his house, but combined by him into one badge.
Henry VIII.
First coinage. Groats.
London.
Pheon. p. 128.
Portcullis crowned. p. 128. (390).
Castle. p. 128.
Half-groats.
London.
Portcullis. p. 128.
Canterbury.
Pomegranate, WA. p. 129.
Lis, WA. p. 129.
Martlet, WA. p. 129.
York.
Cinquefoil. p. 129.
A. p. 129.
Escallop. p. 129.
Star. p. 129.
Martlet, X B.
Cross voided, T W. keys and cardinal's had. p. 129.
Lis. p. 129.
Pence.
London.
Portcullis. p. 129. (394).
Pheon. p. 129.
Durham.
Mullet. D. W. p. 129.
Lis. T. D. p. 129.
Halfpence.
London.
Portcullis. p. 130.
Pomegranate, W. A. p. 130.
Farthing.
London.
Portcullis.
Second coinage. Groats.
London.
Rose. p. 130.
Lis. p. 130. (396).
Arrow. p. 130.
Sun and cloud. p. 130.
Pheon. p. 130.
York.
Cross voided, T. W. cardinal's had. p. 130.
Half-groats.
London.
Rose. p. 130.
Lis. p. 130.
Lis, rev. rose. p. 130.
Arrow. p. 130.
Sun and cloud. p. 130.
Canterbury.
Cross fleuree, W. A. p. 131.
Cross fleuree, rev. T. p. 131.
T. p. 131.
Escallop. p. 131.
Rose. p. 131.
Key. p. 131.
Rose; rev. cross fleuree and T. p. 131.
Catherine Wheel, T. C. p. 131.
York.
Cross, T. W. p. 131. (397).
Cross and pellet, T. W. p. 131.
Key, EL.
Key, LE.
Pence.
London.
Rose. p. 131.
Arrow. p. 131.
Lis. p. 131.
Durham.
Crescent, T. W. cardinal's hat. p. 131.
Trefoil. p. 131.
Star. p. 131.
Star, C. D. p. 131. (399).
Halfpence.
London.
Rose. p. 132.
Lis. p. 132.
Arrow. p. 132.
Canterbury.
No MM. WA. p. 132.
Catherine wheel, T. C. p. 132. (398).
Portcullis. T. C. p. 132.
York.
Key, E. L. p. 132.
Farthings.
London.
Arrow. p. 132. (400).
Third coinage. Shillings.
London.
Lis; rev. two lis. p. 133.
Groats.
London.
Lis, annulet in each fork of cross. p. 133.
Half-groats.
London.
Lis, annulet in each fork of cross. p. 133.
Penny.
London.
Lis. p. 133.
Shillings.
London.
Lis and annulet inclosing pellet; rev. annulet with pellet. p. 134. (401).
Annulet, rev. annulet and pellet. p. 134.
Groat.
London.
Lis, annulet and pellet in forks of cross. p. 134.
Arrow, annulet between the forks. p. 134.
Rev. picklock, half rose between the forks. p. 134.
Martlet, half rose between the forks. p. 134. (402).
No MM. S. between the forks. p. 134.
Bristol.
W. S. in monogram. p. 134.
Canterbury.
No MM. half rose in the forks. p. 134.
York.
No MM. trefoils in rev. legend. p. 134.
Half-groats.
Bristol.
Lis and WS. p. 135. (404).
Lis and lis in the forks of cross. p. 135.
Penny.
London.
Rev. picklock. p. 135.
Lis, p. 135.
Bristol.
Lis and pellets. p. 135.
Fourth coinage. Shillings.
London.
Annulet inclosing pellet. p. 136.
E. balls with florets in the legend. p. 136. (409).
Groats.
London.
Martlet, half rose in the forks. p. 136.
Bow. p. 136.
E. p. 136.
Lis? open lozenges in legend, E in the forks. p. 136.
Bristol.
Rev. W. S. rose and lis in legend, lis in the forks. p. 136.
Rose, rev. as preceding. p. 136.
Small cross, rev. as preceding. p. 136.
TL? in monogram or E, rose and trefoil in legend, trefoil in forks. p. 136.
Canterbury.
Trefoils in rev. legend. p. 136.
York.
Trefoils in rev. legend. p. 136.
Half-groats.
Bristol.
W. S. p. 136.
W. S., lis after CIVITAS. p. 136.
Pennies.
Canterbury.
Open quatrefoils in legend. p. 137.
Fifth coinage. Shillings.
London.
Annulet inclosing pellet. p. 137.
S. ? rev. E. balls with florets in legend. p. 137.
Groat.
London.
Annulet in the forks, REDDE CVIQVE &c. p. 137.
Bow. p. 137.
Bow, rev. picklock. p. 137.
Bristol.
Rev. W. S. cinquefoil and pierced cross in legend, annulet in the forks. p. 137.
Canterbury.
Annulet in the forks. p. 137.
Lis, pierced crosses in legend. p. 137.
No MM. half rose in the forks. p. 137.
Half-groats.
London.
E. pierced cross before and after legend. p. 137.
E, two pierced crosses before LONDON. p. 137.
REDDE CVIQVE. &c. p. 138.
Canterbury.
No MM. p. 137.
York.
No MM. p. 137.
Pennies.
London.
Rev. E. ? p. 138.
Arrow, RED. CVIQ. &c. p. 138.
Canterbury.
No MM.
York.
No MM.
The portcullis was derived from the Beauforts, and had been used as a favourite badge by Henry VII., who appointed an additional poursuivant to whom he gave the name of Portcullis.
The arrow may perhaps have been adopted as a mark in allusion to Henry VIII. having taken as his badge, at the field of the cloth of gold, an archer drawing his arrow to the head.
The pomegranate appears only on the Canterbury coins of Henry VIII., having been placed there by Abp. Wareham, under whose delegated authority they were struck, and who was greatly attached to Catherine of Arragon, of whom it was the family badge.
The Catherine wheel was used upon the Canterbury coins struck by authority of Abp. Cranmer in compliment of Queen Catherine and in reference to her name.
The bow is in reference to the name and armorial bearings of Sir Martin Bowes, Master of the Mint.
W. S. initials of Sir. W. Sharington, Master of the Mint at Bristol.
E and E are probably initials of some high officers of the mint, but we cannot discover, in the imperfect lists which we possess, any name to which they can be appropriated.
The letter S which is seen in the forks of the cross on some reverses, and rarely as a mint mark, may possibly be the initial of John Sharpe, who was an engraver at the mint.
Henry VIII.
First coinage. Groats.
London.
Pheon. p. 128.
Portcullis crowned. p. 128. (390).
Castle. p. 128.
Half-groats.
London.
Portcullis. p. 128.
Canterbury.
Pomegranate, WA. p. 129.
Lis, WA. p. 129.
Martlet, WA. p. 129.
York.
Cinquefoil. p. 129.
A. p. 129.
Escallop. p. 129.
Star. p. 129.
Martlet, X B.
Cross voided, T W. keys and cardinal's had. p. 129.
Lis. p. 129.
Pence.
London.
Portcullis. p. 129. (394).
Pheon. p. 129.
Durham.
Mullet. D. W. p. 129.
Lis. T. D. p. 129.
Halfpence.
London.
Portcullis. p. 130.
Pomegranate, W. A. p. 130.
Farthing.
London.
Portcullis.
Second coinage. Groats.
London.
Rose. p. 130.
Lis. p. 130. (396).
Arrow. p. 130.
Sun and cloud. p. 130.
Pheon. p. 130.
York.
Cross voided, T. W. cardinal's had. p. 130.
Half-groats.
London.
Rose. p. 130.
Lis. p. 130.
Lis, rev. rose. p. 130.
Arrow. p. 130.
Sun and cloud. p. 130.
Canterbury.
Cross fleuree, W. A. p. 131.
Cross fleuree, rev. T. p. 131.
T. p. 131.
Escallop. p. 131.
Rose. p. 131.
Key. p. 131.
Rose; rev. cross fleuree and T. p. 131.
Catherine Wheel, T. C. p. 131.
York.
Cross, T. W. p. 131. (397).
Cross and pellet, T. W. p. 131.
Key, EL.
Key, LE.
Pence.
London.
Rose. p. 131.
Arrow. p. 131.
Lis. p. 131.
Durham.
Crescent, T. W. cardinal's hat. p. 131.
Trefoil. p. 131.
Star. p. 131.
Star, C. D. p. 131. (399).
Halfpence.
London.
Rose. p. 132.
Lis. p. 132.
Arrow. p. 132.
Canterbury.
No MM. WA. p. 132.
Catherine wheel, T. C. p. 132. (398).
Portcullis. T. C. p. 132.
York.
Key, E. L. p. 132.
Farthings.
London.
Arrow. p. 132. (400).
Third coinage. Shillings.
London.
Lis; rev. two lis. p. 133.
Groats.
London.
Lis, annulet in each fork of cross. p. 133.
Half-groats.
London.
Lis, annulet in each fork of cross. p. 133.
Penny.
London.
Lis. p. 133.
Shillings.
London.
Lis and annulet inclosing pellet; rev. annulet with pellet. p. 134. (401).
Annulet, rev. annulet and pellet. p. 134.
Groat.
London.
Lis, annulet and pellet in forks of cross. p. 134.
Arrow, annulet between the forks. p. 134.
Rev. picklock, half rose between the forks. p. 134.
Martlet, half rose between the forks. p. 134. (402).
No MM. S. between the forks. p. 134.
Bristol.
W. S. in monogram. p. 134.
Canterbury.
No MM. half rose in the forks. p. 134.
York.
No MM. trefoils in rev. legend. p. 134.
Half-groats.
Bristol.
Lis and WS. p. 135. (404).
Lis and lis in the forks of cross. p. 135.
Penny.
London.
Rev. picklock. p. 135.
Lis, p. 135.
Bristol.
Lis and pellets. p. 135.
Fourth coinage. Shillings.
London.
Annulet inclosing pellet. p. 136.
E. balls with florets in the legend. p. 136. (409).
Groats.
London.
Martlet, half rose in the forks. p. 136.
Bow. p. 136.
E. p. 136.
Lis? open lozenges in legend, E in the forks. p. 136.
Bristol.
Rev. W. S. rose and lis in legend, lis in the forks. p. 136.
Rose, rev. as preceding. p. 136.
Small cross, rev. as preceding. p. 136.
TL? in monogram or E, rose and trefoil in legend, trefoil in forks. p. 136.
Canterbury.
Trefoils in rev. legend. p. 136.
York.
Trefoils in rev. legend. p. 136.
Half-groats.
Bristol.
W. S. p. 136.
W. S., lis after CIVITAS. p. 136.
Pennies.
Canterbury.
Open quatrefoils in legend. p. 137.
Fifth coinage. Shillings.
London.
Annulet inclosing pellet. p. 137.
S. ? rev. E. balls with florets in legend. p. 137.
Groat.
London.
Annulet in the forks, REDDE CVIQVE &c. p. 137.
Bow. p. 137.
Bow, rev. picklock. p. 137.
Bristol.
Rev. W. S. cinquefoil and pierced cross in legend, annulet in the forks. p. 137.
Canterbury.
Annulet in the forks. p. 137.
Lis, pierced crosses in legend. p. 137.
No MM. half rose in the forks. p. 137.
Half-groats.
London.
E. pierced cross before and after legend. p. 137.
E, two pierced crosses before LONDON. p. 137.
REDDE CVIQVE. &c. p. 138.
Canterbury.
No MM. p. 137.
York.
No MM. p. 137.
Pennies.
London.
Rev. E. ? p. 138.
Arrow, RED. CVIQ. &c. p. 138.
Canterbury.
No MM.
York.
No MM.
The portcullis was derived from the Beauforts, and had been used as a favourite badge by Henry VII., who appointed an additional poursuivant to whom he gave the name of Portcullis.
The arrow may perhaps have been adopted as a mark in allusion to Henry VIII. having taken as his badge, at the field of the cloth of gold, an archer drawing his arrow to the head.
The pomegranate appears only on the Canterbury coins of Henry VIII., having been placed there by Abp. Wareham, under whose delegated authority they were struck, and who was greatly attached to Catherine of Arragon, of whom it was the family badge.
The Catherine wheel was used upon the Canterbury coins struck by authority of Abp. Cranmer in compliment of Queen Catherine and in reference to her name.
The bow is in reference to the name and armorial bearings of Sir Martin Bowes, Master of the Mint.
W. S. initials of Sir. W. Sharington, Master of the Mint at Bristol.
E and E are probably initials of some high officers of the mint, but we cannot discover, in the imperfect lists which we possess, any name to which they can be appropriated.
The letter S which is seen in the forks of the cross on some reverses, and rarely as a mint mark, may possibly be the initial of John Sharpe, who was an engraver at the mint.
Mary.
Groat, Half-groat, and Penny.
London.
Pomegranate. p. 144. (429). (431). (430).
Base penny.
London.
Rose. p. 145.
Philip and Mary.
Groat, Half-groat, and Penny.
London.
Lis. p. 145. (432). (433). (434).
Base penny.
London.
Rose. p. 145. (435).
Sixpences.
London.
1557. Lis. (437).
The pomegranate is placed upon the coins of Mary in allusion to her descent from Catherine of Arragon, of which house it was the badge.
Elizabeth.
The mint marks upon the coins of this queen and the subsequent monarchs, are already so exhibited in tabular views attached to each reign, that it is not necessary to recapitulate them here, with the exception of those coins of Charles I. which cannot at present be assigned to any particular locality.
Charles I.
The coins of the uncertain mints of this monarch are very interesting, and an attentive and careful examination of them would probably throw some light upon the wanderings of the mint during the persecutions of this unfortunate monarch. These pieces have not received the attention they deserve, and the cause of their neglect has probably arisen from the impossibility of arriving at any satisfactory conclusion respecting the places of their issue, without having under view, at the same time, a much greater number of the several varieties of these pieces than any collector has hitherto had in his possession. Our national collection, though comparatively rich in pieces of this description, is yet far from possessing a complete series; and, as long as several of the rarer, perhaps unique, varieties, are dispersed in various private cabinets, it will be extremely difficult to form a reasonable conjecture respecting their origin; for it is only by frequent and repeated comparative examinations of the actual coins, that we may hope to arrive at a satisfactory result. No description, no drawing even, however accurate, will possess those minute touches of workmanship which betray the labours of an individual artist, inseparably connect one coin with another, and enable us to follow a mint in its obscure peregrinations from one locality to another, during the troublous and perilous times of anarchy and rebellion.
The following list is derived almost exclusively from coins which we have seen; in two or three instances we have relied upon engravings. The nos. correspond with those prefixed to the descriptions in the body of the work.
Uncertain. Half-Crowns. See p. 176.
1. Cross, rev. harp, housings on horse.
2. Cross, rev. harp, housings very slight.
3. Cross, rev. harp, no housings.
4. (P)
5. No MM. lion before and after AVSPICE.
6. No MM. mullets before and after AVSPICE.
7. No MM. lis before and after AVSPICE.
8. Thistle or castle, W. under horse, lis before and after AVSPICE.
9. Similar, the shield with chainlike garniture.
10 . Helmet, square shield.
11 . Lis, SA under horse, rev. helmet.
12. Lis, ball under horse, rev. lis.
13. Lis, ball under horse, rev. helmet.
14. Bugle.
15. Plume, ground under horse chequered, rev. legend FLORENT &c.
16. No MM. no ground, rev. legend FLORENT &c.
17. Small lis, no ground, rev. legend FLORENT &c.
18. [Missing]
19.Lis. oval shield, lis and annulet before and after AVSPICE.
20. No MM. shield, York type with lion's skin garniture.
21. Rose, or cinquefoil, pierced.
22. Gerb lying down.
23. Anchor, square shield.
24. Small lis, shield with supporters.
25. Small lis, shield with supporters, date 1645.
26. Plume, declaration type, 1644. rude.
27. Rev. quincunx of pellets, do 1644, rude.
28. Plume, A. under horse, 1645, rev. MM. A.
29. Plume, A. under horse and under date, 1645, rev. MM. A.
30. Plume, A. under horse, B under date 1646.
31. Plume, plume under horse, and behind king, 1646.
32. Plume, plume under date.
33. Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 are imitations of the regular Tower types.
Nos. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 have a close affinity to each other, and were probably issued from the same place. Nos. 11, 12, 13 are closely allied to them, and were probably struck in the same neighbourhood and by the same artists. Nos. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 seem also to have a close connexion with the above, and we are disposed to think they must have been produced in the same part of the kingdom, as may, possibly, Nos. 24 and 25.
Nos. 21 and 22 are very similar to each other, and do not bear any strong marks of relationship to the others.
No. 14 stands quite alone.
No. 23 is a mere imitation of a Tower type.
Nos. 26, 27 a rude imitation of the usual declaration type.
Nos. 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 strongly resemble the Bristol coins, and were doubtless struck by the same artists, see pp. 179, 180, 181.
Shillings. See p. 186.
1. Plume. rev. A.A under date 1645.
2. Plume, plume before face, rev. A.A under date 1645. No MM. rev. A.A under date 1645. CUFF.
3. Plume, &c. as No. 2. 1646.
4. Declaration type, annulets amid the plumes and date.
5. Rev. helmet, cross, plume, and lion, castle above shield.
6. Rev. helmet, cross, plume, and lion, rose above shield.
7. Martlet, rev. boar's head. MB. lately acquired.
8. Rev. lion and rose of dots, star before and after AVSPICE.
9. Rev. leaf between two quatrefoils, lozenge after each word.
10. Lis, rev. helmet between lis and pellets.
11. Lis, rev. uncertain object.
12. Anchor, rude imitation of Tower type; another less rude in the collection of Mr. Marshall, Birmingham, has the anchor more like a grapple.
13. Ton, rude imitation.
14. Ton, rude imitation, different dies.
15. Triangle, rude imitation, different dies.
16. Triangle, rude imitation, apex downwards.
17. Crown, rude imitation, apex downwards.
18. Plume., rude imitation, oval shield between C. R.
19. Plume, bust like York type, rev. declaration type, 1642, the 4 reversed.
20. Lion, rude imitation of later York shillings.
21. Lis, rev. lion, EBOR under shield.
22. Square shield, CARTVS &c.
23. Book, rude imitation of Aberystwith. MARSHALL.
Nos. 1, 2, 3 are of the same family as the half-crowns Nos. 28 to 33.
No. 4 though bearing the same date as No. 3, and a similar type, yet proves by its workmanship that it was executed at a different place, and by artists who had formerly been engaged at the Oxford mint.
Nos. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 resemble in workmanship the half-crowns Nos. 5 to 10, and were probably issued in the same districts. No. 10 more resembles the half-crowns Nos. 12, 13.
No. 12 and those following are mere rude imitations of the Tower or York types.
Sixpences.
1. B, plume before face, rev. no MM. 1646, declaration type.
2. Castle, rev. part of cross, boar's head, lis before and after AVSPICE, square shield.
3. Rose, rev. rose, oval shield, CVLTORES &c.
4. Rose, square shield.
No. 1, is from the same mint as the half-crowns Nos. 28 and following.
No. 2 certainly from the same mint as shilling No. 7.
No. 3 is a caprice issued from the Tower, probably not intended for circulation.
No. 4 extremely rude imitation of Tower type.
Groats.
1. Plume, plume before face, rev. no MM. 1646. declaration type.
2. Plume, plume before face, rev. plume, 1646. declaration type.
3. No MM., plume before face, rev. plume, 1646. declaration type.
4. Rose, armour marked with annulets, rev. helmet.
5. Rose, armour marked with dots, rev. helmet.
6. Lis, armour marked with dots, rev. helmet.
7. Lis, armour marked with dots, rev. lion
8. Book, rude imitation of Aberystwith type, with the smaller head. MARSHALL.
Nos. 1, 2, 3 from the same mint as half-crowns Nos. 28 and following.
Nos. 4, 5, 6, 7 very much resemble in workmanship, shilling No. 7 and sixpence No. 2.
Threepences.
1. Declaration type, one plume above, 1645 and no line below.
2. Declaration type, one plume above, 1646 and no line below.
3. Lis, armour marked with dots, rev. lis, oval shield.
4. Plume before face and over shield; very rude.
5. Rev. gerb? lying down, square shield.
6. Lis, armour marked with dots, rev. lion.
7. Nos. 1, 2 same mint as half-crowns Nos. 28 and following.
Nos. 3, 6 resemble the groats Nos. 4, 5, 6, 7. No. 4. extremely rude imitation of a Tower type. No. 5. appears to be connected with the half-crown No. 22.
Half-Groats.
1. Bell, rev. bell, legend blundered, oval shield.
2. Lis, armour marked with dots, oval shield.
3. Lis, rev. rose or lis, similar to No. 2.
4. Square shield, most rude.
5. Imitation of Aberystwith type, most rude.
6. Nos. 1, 4, 5 mere rude imitations of authorized coins.
Nos. 2, 3 resemble the groats Nos. 4, 5, 6, 7.
Farewell.
Edward Hawkins, 1841
Mint Marks
In former times it was customary to grant to various individuals, in different parts of the country, the privilege of coining and issuing money in the name of the reigning sovereign. The pieces so issued were to be of a prescribed type, size, weight and standard, that there might be one uniform appearance in the coins circulating in the kingdom. It is probable that in many instances the dies were actually made in London and transmitted to the various mints where they were to be used. To prevent fraud, it was necessary that the coins issued from every mint should be tested, and for this purpose the Trial of the Pix at Westminster was established, whereby pieces taken at random from the whole mass coined at each mint were melted and assayed, and, if found to be of the prescribed weight and fineness, the moneyers, masters, and workers of the mint received their quietus, and were freed from all charges which might thereafter be brought against them, grounded upon any imputed failure in the execution of the contract under which their privilege had been granted to them. It was probably in order that each moneyer's coins might be separated at these trials of the Pix, and that each might be responsible only for his own works, that the names of the moneyers, or of the mint, or both, were stampt upon the coin and formed a part of the type.
As these trials of the Pix were only occasional, and took place at irregular periods, sometimes very frequently and sometimes very rarely, it became necessary that there should be upon the pieces, coined at different times and perhaps under different contracts, some distinctive mark, "that so the moneys from which the contracters were not discharged might be distinguished from those for which they had already received their quietus." These marks are usually called privy, or mint marks; a fresh one was adopted after every trial of the Pix; and each new mark was continued upon the coins of each mint until a fresh trial of the Pix took place. During the period that mints were established in a variety of places, different marks would of course be used concurrently; but upon coins issued from the same mint the marks would indicate a succession of coinages, and, had proper registers been kept and preserved at our several mints, they would have answered the purpose of dates in controuling the arrangement of a cabinet. The mint marks upon the Durham episcopal coins are generally derived from the armorial bearings of the Bishop for the time being, and are consequently as well susceptible of a strict chronological arrangement as if they had actually borne a date. There are however some exceptions to such a general rule, when, even in the same mint, there are two concurrent marks. upon the sixpences of Queen Elizabeth we may find not unfrequently the same date with two different mint marks; this in general arises from the circumstances of the trial of the Pix having taken place in the middle of the year, one mark having been used in the beginning, another towards the close of the year: as for instance the portcullis may have been used at the beginning of 1566, the lion at the end, and again the lion at the beginning of 1567 and the coronet at the end. But there are some irregularities for which there is a difficulty in accounting; the sword was used in 1582, so also was the bell which continued to be used in 1583, the letter A was also used in 1582 and 1583, so that at least two mint marks were used concurrently; the same circumstance occurred in 1595 with the ton, woolpack, and key; the want of proper records prevents our obtaining an explanation of these anomalies.
The piety of our ancestors induced them to make a cross, variously modified and decorated, a conspicuous part of the type of their coins; and also to place a cross at the commencement of the legend, sometimes on the obverse, sometimes on the reverse, and sometimes on both; and it was very frequently made to serve the double purpose of being the Christian symbol and the last letter of the word Rex. But when mint marks, properly so called, came into use, they usurped the place, at the beginning or end of the legend, which had been usually occupied by the cross.
When the names of the moneyers and of mints were of general occurrence upon coins, mint marks were less necessary, and, if there were any further indications of peculiar coinages, they have escaped detection, or at least have not been recognised as such; there are however peculiarities upon some coins for which it seems difficult to account, but upon some such principle. See Rud. xviii. 28. xix. 15. xx. 21. 22. 23. and other coins of the reigns of Eadred, Eadwig, Eadgar, &c. &c. Of such, as they occur only occasionally and somewhat rarely, it would not avail to any good purpose to enter into a detailed statement; but it may be of some interest to have an account of such marks as we know to have been intended to distinguish between different coinages, and we have to express our regrets that want of leisure prevents our making such an investigation into the minute details of History, as might enable us to explain the meaning and the origin of many of them. We feel satisfied that a great number of them were not mere forms accidentally adopted, but were symbols or badges of some illustrious patron, or some distinguished personage connected with the mint where they were used, or of the place where the mint was established. Of such a description of marks we have conspicuous and well known examples in the armorial bearings upon the coins of Durham, the cardinal's cap on some coins of York, the ton upon the coins of Abp. Morton, and the knot upon those of Abp. Bourchier. This last, from what of attention to the feeling which frequently prompted the adoption of peculiar marks, has generally been called a crown of thorns. There are some others whose import we may be able to explain in the subsequent pages, and there are doubtless many more which will be elucidated by the perseverance and research of numismatists now that their attention has been directed to the subject; and we are convinced that these labours will be rewarded by the many interesting particulars, which will be brought to bear upon the history of our national coinage.
It was not until the reign of the first Edwards that the regular mint marks began to be adopted, and we need not therefore look back to a remoter period, and endeavour to draw conclusions from the indefinite marks, which appear upon some coins; such as the letters which follow the moneyers' names upon the coins of Henry II. But besides those objects which are usually called mint marks, and which are generally ranged with the line of the legend, there are various marks which are modifications or variations from the ordinary types, or are additions thereto, and all of which have the effect, even if they were not intended to have the object, of enabling us to separate one coinage from another, and which therefore we think it will be interesting to point out.
The first instance of the substitution of any object for the usual Christian symbol occurs in the reign of Henry III., but with what view the change took place there does not seem to be any means of ascertaining. Upon some of his coins, a mullet or a star appears above his head at the commencement of the legend; and upon others the star is represented between the horns of a crescent. This badge was borne by Richard I. and appears upon his great seals; it was adopted by John, for we find it upon his Irish coins; and it was continued by Henry III., for we know that none but menials of his own household were allowed to wear it. See Rot. Parl. Vol. III. p. 4776. This combined mark is a symbol of the Turkish empire, even down to the present day; we find it upon the golden medals presented by the Sultan to the English officers who served in the Egyptian campaign in 1802, and we find it emblazoned on the shields of some families, whose ancestors are said to have distinguished themselves in the course of the crusades. Whether the adoption of this mark upon the coin, at the particular time when it was struck, had any allusion to these paroxysms of enthusiasm it is difficult to say, but Henry III. did certainly, at least at one time, urge his barons to grant him a liberal supply of money under the plea of undertaking a crusade; and it s not impossible that he might have stampt such of his money as was issued at that period with the Turkish badge in token of a conquest, which he never achieved, nor even intended to attempt.
Edward I.
Upon the regal coins of this reign we do not find any thing which usually receives the name of mint mark, but we fancy we can distinguish three separate coinages which may be known by
A large cross, having a long line at the termination of each limb. p. 93.
A smaller compact cross. p. 93.
A similar cross, with a star upon the king's breast. p. 93.
And upon some coins there is a rose upon the king's breast. p. 94. (292).
Some Berwick coins have a bear's head in one quarter of the cross, in allusion to the arms and name of the place. p. 94. 95. 96. (291).
The episcopal coins of Durham have a cross moline, the arms of Bishop Beck in one quarter, or sometimes the same object as MM. p. 94.
Reading coins have in one quarter an escallop shell, from the arms of the abbey in that town. p. 94.
York coins have generally an open quatrefoil in the centre of the reverse, and sometimes a cross on the king's breast p. 95.
Edward II.
London. No mint mark.
Durham. Cross moline, arms of Bishop Beck. p. 97.
Cross termination of cross bent to the left. Bp. Kellow. p. 97.
Lion rampant and one or more lis, arms of Bp. Beaumont. p. 97.
Open square in middle of reverse. p. 97. (302).
York. Three dots with pellets in one quarter. p. 97. (303).
Edward III.
Groats.
London.
Cross. p. 98. (307).
Cross, annulet in one quarter. p. 98.
Cross, annulet in spandril under head. p. 98.
Cross, row of annulets under head. p. 98.
Crown. p. 98.
York.
Cross.
Half-groats.
London.
Cross. p. 99. (308).
Cross, annulet in one quarter.
Cross, annulet in spandril under head. p. 99. (309).
Crown.
York.
Cross.
Pence.
London.
Cross, annulet in each quarter. p. 100.
Cross, annulet in one quarter. p. 100.
Cross, annulet in one quarter and on bread. p 100. (310).
Cross, quatrefoil on breast. p. 100.
Crown, annulet in one quarter. p. 100.
Durham.
Crozier end of cross bent to right. Bp. Hat-field. p. 100.
Crozier, annulet on breast. p. 100.
Crozier, quatrefoil after legend and before REX. p. 100.
Crozier, open quatrefoil in centre of cross. p. 100.
Crozier, end bent to left. p. 100.
Crozier, annulet inclosing two pellets in centre of rev. p. 100. (313).
Annulet in centre of cross and in each angle. p. 101.
York.
Cross, quatrefoil in centre of rev. p. 101.
Cross, quatrefoil in centre of rev and at right of MM. p. 101. (311).
Cross, quatrefoil at left of MM. p. 101.
Halfpence.
London.
Pellet in first quarter. p. 101.
Pellet in fourth quarter and side of crown. p. 101.
Cross in first quarter. p. 101.
Cross in third quarter. p. 101.
Star after AN and before London. p. 101.
Cross at side of crown. p. 101.
Reading.
Escallop shell in one angle. p. 101. (315).
Escallop shell in one angle and star after AN and VILLA. p. 101.
Farthing..
London.
Star after A and before LONDON. p. 101.
Richard II.
Groat and Half-groat.
London.
Cross. p. 102.
Penny.
London.
Lis on breast, pellet at sides of neck. p. 102.
York.
Cross. p. 102.
Cross on breast, pellet over shoulders, two pellets in first quarter. p. 102. (319).
Cross on breast. p. 102.
Cross on breast, escallops in legend. p. 102.
Durham.
Cross on breast. p. 102.
Halfpenny.
London.
Cross on breast. p. 103.
Henry IV.
Heavy Groat.
London.
Cross, annulet in two quarters. p. 103.
Half-groat..
London.
Cross. p. 104.
Penny.
York.
Cross, open quatrefoil in centre of rev. p. 104. (337).
Light Groat.
York.
Cross, pellet at side and above crown, trefoil on breast. p. 104. (325).
Pence.
York.
Cross, cross on breast, annulet and mullet at sides of head. p. 105. (326).
Cross, cross on breast, annulet? and pellet at sides of crown. p. 105. (327).
Henry VI.
Groat.
York.
Cross, lis at sides of breast, annulet in two quarters. p. 105. (336).
Lis, E on breast. p. 106.
Half-groat.
Pence.
York.
Cross crosslet, cross at sides of head. p. 106.
Cross crosslet, saltire at sides of head. p. 106.
Cross crosslet, mullet at sides of head, rose before REX and EBORACI, lozenge after REX before TAS. p. 106. (340).
Cross crosslet, cinquefoil and annulet at sides. p. 106.
Cross pierced, cinquefoil and lis at sides of crown, annulet in one quarter. p. 106.
Cross pierced, cinquefoil and trefoil at sides, annulet in one quarter. p. 106.
Cross pierced, mullet and trefoil at sides. p. 106.
Cross pierced, cross and annulet at sides. p. 106.
Cross pierced, cinquefoil at sides. p. 106.
Cross pierced, trefoil at sides. p. 106.
Cross pierced, lis at sides, annulet in one quarter, p. 106.
Cross pierced. cinquefoil and annulet. p. 106.
Halfpenny.
York.
Cross fleury? pellet at sides of crown. p. 106. (339).
Cross pierced, lis at sides of neck, annulet in two quarters. p. 106.
Farthing.
York.
C. I. p. 106. Cancellarius Iohannes Kemp.
Key under head. p. 107.
Henry VI., light money.
Groat.
London.
Cross. p. 108.
Cross, rev. cross pierced, lis after DEVM. p. 108. (342).
Bristol.
Rose. p. 108.
Lis. p. 108.
Cross, rev. rose. p. 108. (341).
York.
Lis. p. 108.
Half-groats.
London.
Cross pierced. p. 108. (343).
York.
Lis.
Halfpenny.
London.
Cross, something on breast, lozenge after REX. p. 108. 344.
Cross, three pellets at sides of neck. p. 108.
Cross pierced. p. 109.
Farthing.
London.
Cross before and after REX. p. 109. (346).
Henry IV. V. VI.
Unattributed Mint Marks
Groats.
London.
Cross, mullet on breast, cross after POSVI. p. 109.
Cross voided, leave on breast, and under last letter, lozenge after REX and before DONDON. p. 109. (328).
Cross crosslet, three pellets at sides of neck, rev. cross. p. 109.
Cross crosslet, three pellets at sides of neck, CIVITAS. p. 109.
Cross crosslet, three pellets at sides of neck, pellet in two quarters, leaf? on breast. p. 109.
Cross crosslet, pellet in two quarters, and at sides of crown, cross on neck, lozenge after HENRIC and GRA. p. 109. (329).
Cross crosslet, also a pierced mullet after POSVI. p. 109.
Cross crosslet, rev. cross, lozenge after REX and CIVITAS, rose after HENRIC.DI.GRA.ANGL.POSVI and LONDON. p. 109. (330).
Cross crosslet, leaf instead of rose, none after ANGL. p. 109.
Cross crosslet, leaf omitted after HENRIC and GRA. p. 109.
Cross crosslet, three pellets at sides of neck, after GRA. and LONDON, leaf before LONDON. p. 110.
Cross pierced, lozenge after CIVITAS, rose after LONDON. p. 110.
Cross pierced, annulet in two quarters, and after POSVI. p. 110.
Lis, rev cross. p. 110.
Half-groats.
London.
Cross pierced, star on breast, annulet and three pellets at side of crown. p. 110. (331).
Cross pierced, pellets omitted. p. 110.
Cross pierced, star on left breast. p. 110.
Cross pierced. rose after HENRIC DI GRA. lozenge before, leaf after LONDON. p. 110.
Cross. p. 110.
Cross crosslet, annulet after POSVI and in two quarters. p. 109.
Cross crosslet, leaf after HENRIC. DI. GRA. and LONDON. lozenge after REX and CIVITAS. p. 110.
Pennies.
London.
Cross. p. 110.
Cross, mullet and trefoil at sides of crown. p. 110.
Cross, lis and trefoil at sides of crown. p. 110.
Cross, annulet in two quarters. p. 110.
Cross, lozenge after REX, cross at side of crown. p. 110.
Cross fleuree? lozenge before and after REX, trefoil after HEN. cross on breast, pellet at sides of crown, and in two quarters. p. 110. (333).
Cross fleuree? annulet and pellet at sides of crown, trefoil before, cross after REX, leaf? on breast, pellet in each quarter. p. 11.
Durham.
Cross, mullet left of crown, lozenge after REX and DVNOLMI. p. 111. (332).
Cross crosslet? lozenge after DVNOLMI. p. 111.
MM ? trefoil on breast. p. 111.
MM ? lis on breast, D in centre of cross. p. 111.
MM ? M or CD in centre of cross. p. 111.
MM ? M or CD in centre of cross, pellet at sides of crown. p. 111.
MM ? mullet and annulet at sides of crown, annulet in two quarters. p. 111.
MM ? quatrefoil after obv. legend and CIVITAS. p. 111.
Cross crosslet, annulet in centre of rev. p. 111.
Halfpennies.
London.
Cross, lozenge? before, rosette? after, LONDON. p. 111.
Cross, cross on breast, pellet at sides of crown. Sir H. ELLIS.
Cross, leaf on breast. p. 111.
Cross, leaf on breast, pellets at sides of crown and in two quarters. p. 111.
Cross, leaf on breast and pellet under DON. p. 111.
Cross, leaf on breast, lozenge after REX. lis? under LON. p. 111.
Cross, leaf on breast, cross before lozenge after REX. p. 111.
Cross, annulet at sides of crown. p. 111.
Cross, three pellets and annulet at sides of crown. p. 111.
Cross, annulet in two quarters. p. 111.
Cross, pellet in two quarters. p. 111.
Cross fleury, or crosslet, lozenge before REX and TAS, leaf after REX. p. 112. (334).
Cross fleury, lozenge before, leaf after REX. p. 112.
Cross fleury, lozenge after, rose before REX, rose after LONDON, lozenge before TAS. p. 112.
Cross fleury, lozenge also before LONDON. p. 112.
Cross fleury, lozenge after REX, something before it. p. 112.
Cross fleury, cross at sides of neck. p. 112.
Cross fleury, pellet at sides of crown. p. 112.
Cross fleury, pellet at sides of crown, and two crosses after ANGLI. p. 112.
Cross fleury, annulet at sides of crown, two crosses after REX, one before CIVITAS and LONDON. p. 112.
Edward IV.
Early Groats.
London.
Rose, quatrefoil at sides of neck. p. 112.
Rose, quatrefoil, crescent on breast. p. 112.
Rose, quatrefoil, crescent on breast, annulet before legend. p. 112. (347).
Cross, lis on neck, pellet at sides of crown, and in two quarters. p. 112.
Cross, similar, but the lis on the breast. p. 112.
Cross crosslet, lis on neck; rev. lis. p. 112.
Other Groats.
London.
Cross pierced and pellet; rose after DEVM. p. 112.
Cross, with pellet in each angle; rev. cross pierced. p. 112.
Cross fitchee, trefoil at sides of neck; rev. sun. p. 112.
Heraldic cinquefoil; rose on breast and after DEVM. p. 113.
Heraldic cinquefoil; rose before MEVM, four crosses after legend. p. 113.
Rose, annulet at sides of neck, lozenge after CIVITAS. p. 113.
Rose, quatrefoil at sides, pellet in one quarter. p. 113.
Sun, quatrefoil at sides. p. 113.
Sun, quatrefoil at sides, lis after TAS.
Crown, quatrefoil at sides. p. 113.
Crown, quatrefoil at sides and on breast, rev. sun. p. 113.
Crown, B. on breast, rev. crown. p. 113.
Annulet. p. 113.
Annulet, annulet after DI and REX. p. 113.
Annulet inclosing pellet; rose at sides of neck. p. 113.
Annulet, star and rose at sides of neck. p. 113.
Boar's head, pellet under head. p. 113. Edw. V.? see p. 278.
Bristol.
Crown, B on breast, quatrefoil at sides of neck. p. 113.
Sun, B on breast, quatrefoil at sides of neck. p. 113.
Sun, B on breast, trefoil at sides of neck. p. 113.
Conventry.
Sun, quatrefoil at sides of neck. p. 113.
Sun, C on breast, quatrefoil at sides of neck. p. 113.
Norwich.
Sun, N on breast, quatrefoil at sides of neck. p. 113.
York.
Lis, E on breast. p. 113.
Lis, E on breast, quatrefoil at sides of neck. p. 113.
Lis, E on breast, trefoil at sides of neck. p. 113.
Lis, E on breast, quatrefoil at sides; rev. crown. p. 113.
Lis, E on breast, quatrefoil at sides; rev. sun. p. 113.
Sun, E on breast, quatrefoil at sides, rev. sun. p. 113.
Cross, trefoil between the words of legend. p. 114.
Early half-groats.
London.
Rose, crescent? under the chin. p. 114.
Cross, lis on breast, pellet at sides of crown, line across breast. p. 114.
Other half-groats.
London.
Annulet. p. 114.
Cross pierced. p. 114.
Crown, trefoil at sides of neck. p. 114.
Crown, quatrefoil at sides of neck. p. 114.
Crown, quatrefoil at sides of neck and on breast. p. 114.
Bristol.
Crown, quatrefoil at sides of neck. p. 114.
Sun. p. 114.
Cross, lis on breast, pellet at sides of crown, line across breast. p. 114.
Canterbury.
Rose. p. 114.
Rose, C on centre of cross, p. 114.
Rose, rose or star on centre. p. 114.
Rose, trefoil at sides of neck. p. 114.
Cross fitchee; rev. heraldic cinquefoil. p. 114.
Crown, cross? at sides of neck. p. 114.
Crown, trefoil at sides of neck, rev. sun. p. 114.
Crown, millwrine? at side of neck. p. 114.
Archiepiscopal pall, knot under head, rev. sun. p. 114.
Archiepiscopal pall, knot under head, quatrefoil at sides of neck, rev. sun. p. 114.
Archiepiscopal pall, triangular dots in field of obv., rev. MM. pall. p. 114.
Archiepiscopal pall, cross over the pall, rev. MM. pall. p. 114. (349). where see explanation of knot.
Norwich.
Sun, N on breast, quatrefoil at sides of neck. p. 115.
York.
Lis, quatrefoil at sides of neck, cross after DEVM. p. 115. (350).
Cross, R and cross at sides of neck. p. 115.
Pence.
London.
Cinquefoil. p. 115.
Cross pierced. p. 115.
Cross fitchee. p. 115.
Sun, quatrefoil at sides of neck. p. 115.
Crown, quatrefoil at sides of neck. p. 115.
Crown, lis on neck, pellet at sides of crown, and in two quarters. p. 115.
Bristol.
Crown, trefoil? at right of neck. p. 115. (351).
Durham.
Crown, quatrefoil at sides of neck. p. 115.
Crown, rose on centre of reverse. p. 115.
Crown, rose on centre of reverse, pellet in one quarter. p. 115.
Crown, lis at sides of neck, D on centre of reverse. p. 115.
Crown, trefoil and B at sides of neck. p. 115.
Rose, D on centre of rev. V in first quarter, pellet in each quarter. p. 116.
Rose, quatrefoil at sides of neck, B at left of crown, quatrefoil in centre of rev. p. 116.
Rose, D in centre of reverse. p. 116.
Rose, B to right, quatrefoil to left of neck. p. 116.
Rose?, D to left, quatrefoil to right of neck, small trefoil? in DE VM. p. 116.
Crown, D and quatrefoil at sides of neck. p. 116.
Crown, D and V at sides of neck. p. 116.
Cross, rose on centre of rev. p. 116. (352).
Cross, rose on centre of rev. pellet in one quarter. p. 116.
Cross, rose on centre of rev. two pellets between each word, E reversed. p. 116.
York.
Rose. p. 116.
Rose, rose on breast. p. 116.
Rose, rose on breast and at sides of neck. p. 116.
Rose, E and rose at sides of neck. p. 116.
Rose, lis or cross at sides of neck, cross at end of obv. legend. p. 116.
Rose, key and rose at sides of neck. p. 116.
Rose, G and key at sides of neck. p. 116.
Rose, G and rose at sides of neck. p. 116.
Cinquefoil, G and key at sides of neck. p. 116.
Cross patee fitchee, G and key at sides of neck. p. 116.
Lis, G and key at sides of neck. p. 116.
Lis, B and key at sides of neck. p. 116.
Lis, T and key at sides of neck. p. 116.
Halfpence.
London.
Rose. quatrefoil at sides of neck, annulet inclosing pellet under the head. p. 117.
Cross, pellet at sides of crown, and in two quarters, lis on neck. p. 117.
Cross fitchee, trefoil at sides of neck. p. 117.
Heraldic cinquefoil. p. 117.
Rose. p. 117.
Rose, annulet at sides of neck. p. 117.
Rose, cross at sides of neck. p. 117.
Coronet, trefoil at sides of neck. p. 117.
Coronet, cross and lis at sides of neck. p. 117.
Star, pellet at each side of neck. p. 117.
Star, star at each side of neck. p. 117.
Cross pierced. p. 117.
Cross pierced, cross at sides of neck. p. 117.
Cross pierced, pellet at sides of neck. p. 117.
Spur rowel?
MM ? trefoil at sides of neck, wedge shaped dot in one quarter. p. 117.
Durham.
MM ? letter ? at sides of head, D in centre of rev. p. 117.
Bristol.
Crown, trefoil at sides of neck. p. 117. (353).
Canterbury.
MM ? trefoil at sides of neck. p. 117.
Rose, C on breast. p. 117.
Discussion of the Badges of the Edwards
The boar was a badge of Edward III., see Archaeologia, V. 17. and might therefore have been borne by any of his descendants, but Richard III. is the only one to whom we can trace its adoption. Sir Henry Ellis, who for many years has noted every passage he could meet with, either in manuscript or print, in which the badges borne by Edw. IV. are mentioned, has not been able to discover a single instance of his using the boar. It does however appear upon a groat bearing the name of Edward. Now we are distinctly told by Ross of Warwick that coins were struck by Edw. V. during his short reign; and it has been conjectured that, if such was the case, his father's head was retained upon the coin, as was not unusual at the commencement of a reign, and of which custom we have a remarkable instance in the case of Henry VIII., after the heads upon our coins had begun to assume the character of portraits. Is there not then some probability that the coins which have the boar's head mint mark and the name of Edward, were struck by the authority of Edward V. when Richard III. was protector. The portrait upon the groat which bears this mark more resembles that which appears upon coins with the name of Richard, than on the generality of those which are considered the money of Edward IV.
The objects which are called quatrefoils and trefoils are in general rather groups of four or three pellets; and can scarcely be considered as definite forms having any specific meaning or allusion. To the true cinquefoil we have generally prefixed the term heraldic.
The crown, as a common symbol of royalty, the rose, as a badge of the houses of York and Lancaster, and of the reigning monarchs of England from the time of the union of these two houses, do not require any remark or explanation.
The sun was one of the favorite badges of Edward IV., which he is said to have assumed in consequence of the appearance of three suns previous to his successful engagement at Mortimer's Cross, "and for this cause menne ymagined that he gaue the sun in his full brightnesse for his badge or cognizance," and accordingly we find it upon some of his coins; especially upon his noble, where, as well as upon some other pieces, it appears with a rose upon the centre. There is an object which occurs upon his seals and upon his coins which, though called by all writers a sun, we think it possible was intended for something else; upon one of his great seals we find it alternately with roses occupying the whole field; upon some of his other seals we find it placed as a companion opposite to a rose, and we also find it upon some of his coins. This object is always represented more like an expanded flower than a sun, with petals rounded at the ends, broader at the margin than at the centre, not with rays sharply pointed. The sun is well represented upon the noble, Rud. iii. 4. and the angel, Rud. Sup. vi. 23., but the object in question is not well represented upon any plate with which we are acquainted, we can therefore only refer to the coins themselves in support of our opinion that there is some object which has usually been called a sun which in reality may not have been intended for such. Upon one of the gold coins of Edward IV., and frequently upon the coins of Richard III., as well silver as gold, this object is represented dimidiated with the rose, under which single name it has generally been described.
As we have not been able to discover any authority for assigning to Edward IV. any flower as a badge, we have been obliged to follow in the traces of our predecessors, and give to this equivocal object the name of sun, contenting ourselves with calling the attention of our readers to the subject, that the error may be rectified, if accident or research should hereafter throw a correcter light upon the subject.
The key which appears upon many of the York coins is derived from the arms of the see.
The pall upon the Canterbury coins is adopted from the arms of the see.
The various letters which occur upon the coins are explained in the body of the work, at the pages referred to in this list.
Edward V.
Boar's head ? see page 278.
Richard III.
Groats.
London.
Boar's head. p. 118.
Boar's head, rev. rose and sun united. p. 118.
Rose and sun united. p. 118.
Rose and sun united, pellet under head p. 118.
Half groat.
London.
Rose and sun united. p. 118.
Boar's head ? p. 118.
Pennies.
Durham.
Lis, S on breast. p. 119.
York.
Rose and sun. p. 119.
Boar's head. p. 119.
Boar's head, T and key at sides of neck. p. 119. (359).
Rose, T and key at sides of neck. p. 119.
Halfpenny.
London.
Rose and sun. p. 119. (360).
Boar's head. p. 119.
Cross. p. 119.
Henry VII.
Groats..
London.
Rose, cross at sides of neck, trefoil after POSVI. p. 120.
Rose, cross at sides of neck, cross after POSVI. p. 121.
Lis upon rose. p. 121.
Lis upon rose, cross after POSVI. p. 121.
Lis upon rose, cross after POSVI, two crosses at end of obv. legend. p. 121. (362).
Lis upon rose, same but rose on breast. p. 121.
Cross. p. 121.
Cross fitchée, cross at sides of neck, before POSVI. two at end of obv. legend. p. 121. (361).
Half-groats.
Canterbury.
Ton, cross at sides of neck, M in centre of rev. Eye of Providence after POSVI. p. 121. (363).
Ton, cross at sides of neck, trefoil before TAS. p. 121.
Rose, M in centre of rev. p. 121.
Rose, lis at sides of neck, pellet? on breast, M in centre of rev. p. 121.
London.
Lis on rose. p. 121. (364).
Lis, rosettes in various parts of legends, lozenge in centre of rev. p. 122. (365).
MM uncertain, rev. MM. rosette. p. 122.
York.
Lis, rosettes in various pars of the legens, lozenge in centre of rev. p. 122.
Lis, rev. cross.
Open Crown.
Penny.
York.
Rose, T and key at sides of neck. p. 120.
Rose, T at each side of neck. p. 120.
Rose, T and lis at sides, H in centre of rev. p. 120.
Canterbury.
Ton, cross at sides of neck, M. in centre of rev. p. 122. (366).
Halfpenny.
London.
Lis on rose, p. 122. (368).
Cross, cross at sides of neck. p. 122. (369).
Cross, three pellets at sides of neck. p. 122.
Arched Crown.
Groats.
London.
Greyhound's head. p. 123. (373).
Anchor. p. 123.
Escallop, rosettes in various parts of the legends. p. 123. (372).
Cross crosslet. p. 123.
Small trefoil on rev. p. 123.
Small trefoil on rev., cross at sides of neck. p. 123. (371).
Lis above half rose. p. 123. (381).
Heraldic cinquefoil. p. 123. (380).
Cinquefoil pierced. p. 123.
Leopard's head crowned. p. 123.
Half-groats.
London.
Lis, rosettes in legend, lozenge in centre of rev. p. 124. (374.)
Canterbury.
No MM. cross at sides of neck; rev. cross, M in centre, eye after POSVI. p. 124. (382).
Ton. p. 124.
Ton and cinquefoil. p. 124.
Ton, rev. lis, rosettes in legend. p. 124.
Ton and lis, rosettes in legend. p. 124.
Lis, trefoils in legend, rev. rosettes in legend. p. 124.
York.
Martlet, key at sides of neck. p. 124. (375).
Pennies.
Canterbury.
Ton. p. 125. (376).
Halfpence.
London.
Lis. p. 125.
Canterbury.
Lis. p. 125.
Lis, rosettes in legend. p. 125. (378).
York.
MM ? key under bust. p. 125. (377).
Cross voided. p. 125.
Profile Head.
Shillings.
London.
Lis, lis or trefoil in forks of cross. p. 126. (383).
Groats.
London.
Lis. p. 126. (384).
Cross crosslet. p. 126.
Pheon. p. 126.
Greyhound. p. 126.
Half-groat.
London.
Lis. p. 126.
Cinquefoil. p. 126.
Martlet. p. 126. (385).
Pheon. p. 126.
York.
Martlet, two keys under shield.
Cinquefoil; rev. martlet, two keys under shield.
Pennies.
Durham.
D. S. p. 127.
I. S. p. 127.
Crozier. p. 127. (387).
R. D. p. 127.
Mitre. p. 127.
D. R. p. 127.
York.
Two keys under shield. p. 127.
London.
Very small cross. p. 128.
Lis. p. 128.
The junction of the lis and rose is supposed to allude to the union of the rival houses in the persons of Henry VII. and Elizabeth, the lis being a favourite badge of the Lancastrians, as the rose was that of York. Sometimes it is expressed by stamping one upon the other as (362), sometime by one issuing from the other as (381).
The M and ton upon the Canterbury coins are part of the rebus or punning symbol of the name of Abp. Morton, during whose prelacy they were struck.
The greyhound was assumed as a badge by Henry VII., perhaps in compliment to his wife, who derived it from her grandmother's family of Neville, or more probably because it was borne by his own maternal great grandfather, John de Beaufort, the Earl of Somerset.
The eye of Providence is placed immediately after POSVI, that the name and the symbol of the Divinity may be in juxta position.
The martlet generally appears upon coins of York, very rarely upon those of any other place, but its import or its reference has escaped detection.
The boar's head has been already mentioned as the peculiar badge of Richard III., from which he was described as "the wretched, bloody, and usurping boar." The rose and sun are the usual badges of his house, but combined by him into one badge.
Henry VIII.
First coinage. Groats.
London.
Pheon. p. 128.
Portcullis crowned. p. 128. (390).
Castle. p. 128.
Half-groats.
London.
Portcullis. p. 128.
Canterbury.
Pomegranate, WA. p. 129.
Lis, WA. p. 129.
Martlet, WA. p. 129.
York.
Cinquefoil. p. 129.
A. p. 129.
Escallop. p. 129.
Star. p. 129.
Martlet, X B.
Cross voided, T W. keys and cardinal's had. p. 129.
Lis. p. 129.
Pence.
London.
Portcullis. p. 129. (394).
Pheon. p. 129.
Durham.
Mullet. D. W. p. 129.
Lis. T. D. p. 129.
Halfpence.
London.
Portcullis. p. 130.
Pomegranate, W. A. p. 130.
Farthing.
London.
Portcullis.
Second coinage. Groats.
London.
Rose. p. 130.
Lis. p. 130. (396).
Arrow. p. 130.
Sun and cloud. p. 130.
Pheon. p. 130.
York.
Cross voided, T. W. cardinal's had. p. 130.
Half-groats.
London.
Rose. p. 130.
Lis. p. 130.
Lis, rev. rose. p. 130.
Arrow. p. 130.
Sun and cloud. p. 130.
Canterbury.
Cross fleuree, W. A. p. 131.
Cross fleuree, rev. T. p. 131.
T. p. 131.
Escallop. p. 131.
Rose. p. 131.
Key. p. 131.
Rose; rev. cross fleuree and T. p. 131.
Catherine Wheel, T. C. p. 131.
York.
Cross, T. W. p. 131. (397).
Cross and pellet, T. W. p. 131.
Key, EL.
Key, LE.
Pence.
London.
Rose. p. 131.
Arrow. p. 131.
Lis. p. 131.
Durham.
Crescent, T. W. cardinal's hat. p. 131.
Trefoil. p. 131.
Star. p. 131.
Star, C. D. p. 131. (399).
Halfpence.
London.
Rose. p. 132.
Lis. p. 132.
Arrow. p. 132.
Canterbury.
No MM. WA. p. 132.
Catherine wheel, T. C. p. 132. (398).
Portcullis. T. C. p. 132.
York.
Key, E. L. p. 132.
Farthings.
London.
Arrow. p. 132. (400).
Third coinage. Shillings.
London.
Lis; rev. two lis. p. 133.
Groats.
London.
Lis, annulet in each fork of cross. p. 133.
Half-groats.
London.
Lis, annulet in each fork of cross. p. 133.
Penny.
London.
Lis. p. 133.
Shillings.
London.
Lis and annulet inclosing pellet; rev. annulet with pellet. p. 134. (401).
Annulet, rev. annulet and pellet. p. 134.
Groat.
London.
Lis, annulet and pellet in forks of cross. p. 134.
Arrow, annulet between the forks. p. 134.
Rev. picklock, half rose between the forks. p. 134.
Martlet, half rose between the forks. p. 134. (402).
No MM. S. between the forks. p. 134.
Bristol.
W. S. in monogram. p. 134.
Canterbury.
No MM. half rose in the forks. p. 134.
York.
No MM. trefoils in rev. legend. p. 134.
Half-groats.
Bristol.
Lis and WS. p. 135. (404).
Lis and lis in the forks of cross. p. 135.
Penny.
London.
Rev. picklock. p. 135.
Lis, p. 135.
Bristol.
Lis and pellets. p. 135.
Fourth coinage. Shillings.
London.
Annulet inclosing pellet. p. 136.
E. balls with florets in the legend. p. 136. (409).
Groats.
London.
Martlet, half rose in the forks. p. 136.
Bow. p. 136.
E. p. 136.
Lis? open lozenges in legend, E in the forks. p. 136.
Bristol.
Rev. W. S. rose and lis in legend, lis in the forks. p. 136.
Rose, rev. as preceding. p. 136.
Small cross, rev. as preceding. p. 136.
TL? in monogram or E, rose and trefoil in legend, trefoil in forks. p. 136.
Canterbury.
Trefoils in rev. legend. p. 136.
York.
Trefoils in rev. legend. p. 136.
Half-groats.
Bristol.
W. S. p. 136.
W. S., lis after CIVITAS. p. 136.
Pennies.
Canterbury.
Open quatrefoils in legend. p. 137.
Fifth coinage. Shillings.
London.
Annulet inclosing pellet. p. 137.
S. ? rev. E. balls with florets in legend. p. 137.
Groat.
London.
Annulet in the forks, REDDE CVIQVE &c. p. 137.
Bow. p. 137.
Bow, rev. picklock. p. 137.
Bristol.
Rev. W. S. cinquefoil and pierced cross in legend, annulet in the forks. p. 137.
Canterbury.
Annulet in the forks. p. 137.
Lis, pierced crosses in legend. p. 137.
No MM. half rose in the forks. p. 137.
Half-groats.
London.
E. pierced cross before and after legend. p. 137.
E, two pierced crosses before LONDON. p. 137.
REDDE CVIQVE. &c. p. 138.
Canterbury.
No MM. p. 137.
York.
No MM. p. 137.
Pennies.
London.
Rev. E. ? p. 138.
Arrow, RED. CVIQ. &c. p. 138.
Canterbury.
No MM.
York.
No MM.
The portcullis was derived from the Beauforts, and had been used as a favourite badge by Henry VII., who appointed an additional poursuivant to whom he gave the name of Portcullis.
The arrow may perhaps have been adopted as a mark in allusion to Henry VIII. having taken as his badge, at the field of the cloth of gold, an archer drawing his arrow to the head.
The pomegranate appears only on the Canterbury coins of Henry VIII., having been placed there by Abp. Wareham, under whose delegated authority they were struck, and who was greatly attached to Catherine of Arragon, of whom it was the family badge.
The Catherine wheel was used upon the Canterbury coins struck by authority of Abp. Cranmer in compliment of Queen Catherine and in reference to her name.
The bow is in reference to the name and armorial bearings of Sir Martin Bowes, Master of the Mint.
W. S. initials of Sir. W. Sharington, Master of the Mint at Bristol.
E and E are probably initials of some high officers of the mint, but we cannot discover, in the imperfect lists which we possess, any name to which they can be appropriated.
The letter S which is seen in the forks of the cross on some reverses, and rarely as a mint mark, may possibly be the initial of John Sharpe, who was an engraver at the mint.
Henry VIII.
First coinage. Groats.
London.
Pheon. p. 128.
Portcullis crowned. p. 128. (390).
Castle. p. 128.
Half-groats.
London.
Portcullis. p. 128.
Canterbury.
Pomegranate, WA. p. 129.
Lis, WA. p. 129.
Martlet, WA. p. 129.
York.
Cinquefoil. p. 129.
A. p. 129.
Escallop. p. 129.
Star. p. 129.
Martlet, X B.
Cross voided, T W. keys and cardinal's had. p. 129.
Lis. p. 129.
Pence.
London.
Portcullis. p. 129. (394).
Pheon. p. 129.
Durham.
Mullet. D. W. p. 129.
Lis. T. D. p. 129.
Halfpence.
London.
Portcullis. p. 130.
Pomegranate, W. A. p. 130.
Farthing.
London.
Portcullis.
Second coinage. Groats.
London.
Rose. p. 130.
Lis. p. 130. (396).
Arrow. p. 130.
Sun and cloud. p. 130.
Pheon. p. 130.
York.
Cross voided, T. W. cardinal's had. p. 130.
Half-groats.
London.
Rose. p. 130.
Lis. p. 130.
Lis, rev. rose. p. 130.
Arrow. p. 130.
Sun and cloud. p. 130.
Canterbury.
Cross fleuree, W. A. p. 131.
Cross fleuree, rev. T. p. 131.
T. p. 131.
Escallop. p. 131.
Rose. p. 131.
Key. p. 131.
Rose; rev. cross fleuree and T. p. 131.
Catherine Wheel, T. C. p. 131.
York.
Cross, T. W. p. 131. (397).
Cross and pellet, T. W. p. 131.
Key, EL.
Key, LE.
Pence.
London.
Rose. p. 131.
Arrow. p. 131.
Lis. p. 131.
Durham.
Crescent, T. W. cardinal's hat. p. 131.
Trefoil. p. 131.
Star. p. 131.
Star, C. D. p. 131. (399).
Halfpence.
London.
Rose. p. 132.
Lis. p. 132.
Arrow. p. 132.
Canterbury.
No MM. WA. p. 132.
Catherine wheel, T. C. p. 132. (398).
Portcullis. T. C. p. 132.
York.
Key, E. L. p. 132.
Farthings.
London.
Arrow. p. 132. (400).
Third coinage. Shillings.
London.
Lis; rev. two lis. p. 133.
Groats.
London.
Lis, annulet in each fork of cross. p. 133.
Half-groats.
London.
Lis, annulet in each fork of cross. p. 133.
Penny.
London.
Lis. p. 133.
Shillings.
London.
Lis and annulet inclosing pellet; rev. annulet with pellet. p. 134. (401).
Annulet, rev. annulet and pellet. p. 134.
Groat.
London.
Lis, annulet and pellet in forks of cross. p. 134.
Arrow, annulet between the forks. p. 134.
Rev. picklock, half rose between the forks. p. 134.
Martlet, half rose between the forks. p. 134. (402).
No MM. S. between the forks. p. 134.
Bristol.
W. S. in monogram. p. 134.
Canterbury.
No MM. half rose in the forks. p. 134.
York.
No MM. trefoils in rev. legend. p. 134.
Half-groats.
Bristol.
Lis and WS. p. 135. (404).
Lis and lis in the forks of cross. p. 135.
Penny.
London.
Rev. picklock. p. 135.
Lis, p. 135.
Bristol.
Lis and pellets. p. 135.
Fourth coinage. Shillings.
London.
Annulet inclosing pellet. p. 136.
E. balls with florets in the legend. p. 136. (409).
Groats.
London.
Martlet, half rose in the forks. p. 136.
Bow. p. 136.
E. p. 136.
Lis? open lozenges in legend, E in the forks. p. 136.
Bristol.
Rev. W. S. rose and lis in legend, lis in the forks. p. 136.
Rose, rev. as preceding. p. 136.
Small cross, rev. as preceding. p. 136.
TL? in monogram or E, rose and trefoil in legend, trefoil in forks. p. 136.
Canterbury.
Trefoils in rev. legend. p. 136.
York.
Trefoils in rev. legend. p. 136.
Half-groats.
Bristol.
W. S. p. 136.
W. S., lis after CIVITAS. p. 136.
Pennies.
Canterbury.
Open quatrefoils in legend. p. 137.
Fifth coinage. Shillings.
London.
Annulet inclosing pellet. p. 137.
S. ? rev. E. balls with florets in legend. p. 137.
Groat.
London.
Annulet in the forks, REDDE CVIQVE &c. p. 137.
Bow. p. 137.
Bow, rev. picklock. p. 137.
Bristol.
Rev. W. S. cinquefoil and pierced cross in legend, annulet in the forks. p. 137.
Canterbury.
Annulet in the forks. p. 137.
Lis, pierced crosses in legend. p. 137.
No MM. half rose in the forks. p. 137.
Half-groats.
London.
E. pierced cross before and after legend. p. 137.
E, two pierced crosses before LONDON. p. 137.
REDDE CVIQVE. &c. p. 138.
Canterbury.
No MM. p. 137.
York.
No MM. p. 137.
Pennies.
London.
Rev. E. ? p. 138.
Arrow, RED. CVIQ. &c. p. 138.
Canterbury.
No MM.
York.
No MM.
The portcullis was derived from the Beauforts, and had been used as a favourite badge by Henry VII., who appointed an additional poursuivant to whom he gave the name of Portcullis.
The arrow may perhaps have been adopted as a mark in allusion to Henry VIII. having taken as his badge, at the field of the cloth of gold, an archer drawing his arrow to the head.
The pomegranate appears only on the Canterbury coins of Henry VIII., having been placed there by Abp. Wareham, under whose delegated authority they were struck, and who was greatly attached to Catherine of Arragon, of whom it was the family badge.
The Catherine wheel was used upon the Canterbury coins struck by authority of Abp. Cranmer in compliment of Queen Catherine and in reference to her name.
The bow is in reference to the name and armorial bearings of Sir Martin Bowes, Master of the Mint.
W. S. initials of Sir. W. Sharington, Master of the Mint at Bristol.
E and E are probably initials of some high officers of the mint, but we cannot discover, in the imperfect lists which we possess, any name to which they can be appropriated.
The letter S which is seen in the forks of the cross on some reverses, and rarely as a mint mark, may possibly be the initial of John Sharpe, who was an engraver at the mint.
Mary.
Groat, Half-groat, and Penny.
London.
Pomegranate. p. 144. (429). (431). (430).
Base penny.
London.
Rose. p. 145.
Philip and Mary.
Groat, Half-groat, and Penny.
London.
Lis. p. 145. (432). (433). (434).
Base penny.
London.
Rose. p. 145. (435).
Sixpences.
London.
1557. Lis. (437).
The pomegranate is placed upon the coins of Mary in allusion to her descent from Catherine of Arragon, of which house it was the badge.
Elizabeth.
The mint marks upon the coins of this queen and the subsequent monarchs, are already so exhibited in tabular views attached to each reign, that it is not necessary to recapitulate them here, with the exception of those coins of Charles I. which cannot at present be assigned to any particular locality.
Charles I.
The coins of the uncertain mints of this monarch are very interesting, and an attentive and careful examination of them would probably throw some light upon the wanderings of the mint during the persecutions of this unfortunate monarch. These pieces have not received the attention they deserve, and the cause of their neglect has probably arisen from the impossibility of arriving at any satisfactory conclusion respecting the places of their issue, without having under view, at the same time, a much greater number of the several varieties of these pieces than any collector has hitherto had in his possession. Our national collection, though comparatively rich in pieces of this description, is yet far from possessing a complete series; and, as long as several of the rarer, perhaps unique, varieties, are dispersed in various private cabinets, it will be extremely difficult to form a reasonable conjecture respecting their origin; for it is only by frequent and repeated comparative examinations of the actual coins, that we may hope to arrive at a satisfactory result. No description, no drawing even, however accurate, will possess those minute touches of workmanship which betray the labours of an individual artist, inseparably connect one coin with another, and enable us to follow a mint in its obscure peregrinations from one locality to another, during the troublous and perilous times of anarchy and rebellion.
The following list is derived almost exclusively from coins which we have seen; in two or three instances we have relied upon engravings. The nos. correspond with those prefixed to the descriptions in the body of the work.
Uncertain. Half-Crowns. See p. 176.
1. Cross, rev. harp, housings on horse.
2. Cross, rev. harp, housings very slight.
3. Cross, rev. harp, no housings.
4. (P)
5. No MM. lion before and after AVSPICE.
6. No MM. mullets before and after AVSPICE.
7. No MM. lis before and after AVSPICE.
8. Thistle or castle, W. under horse, lis before and after AVSPICE.
9. Similar, the shield with chainlike garniture.
10 . Helmet, square shield.
11 . Lis, SA under horse, rev. helmet.
12. Lis, ball under horse, rev. lis.
13. Lis, ball under horse, rev. helmet.
14. Bugle.
15. Plume, ground under horse chequered, rev. legend FLORENT &c.
16. No MM. no ground, rev. legend FLORENT &c.
17. Small lis, no ground, rev. legend FLORENT &c.
18. [Missing]
19.Lis. oval shield, lis and annulet before and after AVSPICE.
20. No MM. shield, York type with lion's skin garniture.
21. Rose, or cinquefoil, pierced.
22. Gerb lying down.
23. Anchor, square shield.
24. Small lis, shield with supporters.
25. Small lis, shield with supporters, date 1645.
26. Plume, declaration type, 1644. rude.
27. Rev. quincunx of pellets, do 1644, rude.
28. Plume, A. under horse, 1645, rev. MM. A.
29. Plume, A. under horse and under date, 1645, rev. MM. A.
30. Plume, A. under horse, B under date 1646.
31. Plume, plume under horse, and behind king, 1646.
32. Plume, plume under date.
33. Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 are imitations of the regular Tower types.
Nos. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 have a close affinity to each other, and were probably issued from the same place. Nos. 11, 12, 13 are closely allied to them, and were probably struck in the same neighbourhood and by the same artists. Nos. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 seem also to have a close connexion with the above, and we are disposed to think they must have been produced in the same part of the kingdom, as may, possibly, Nos. 24 and 25.
Nos. 21 and 22 are very similar to each other, and do not bear any strong marks of relationship to the others.
No. 14 stands quite alone.
No. 23 is a mere imitation of a Tower type.
Nos. 26, 27 a rude imitation of the usual declaration type.
Nos. 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 strongly resemble the Bristol coins, and were doubtless struck by the same artists, see pp. 179, 180, 181.
Shillings. See p. 186.
1. Plume. rev. A.A under date 1645.
2. Plume, plume before face, rev. A.A under date 1645. No MM. rev. A.A under date 1645. CUFF.
3. Plume, &c. as No. 2. 1646.
4. Declaration type, annulets amid the plumes and date.
5. Rev. helmet, cross, plume, and lion, castle above shield.
6. Rev. helmet, cross, plume, and lion, rose above shield.
7. Martlet, rev. boar's head. MB. lately acquired.
8. Rev. lion and rose of dots, star before and after AVSPICE.
9. Rev. leaf between two quatrefoils, lozenge after each word.
10. Lis, rev. helmet between lis and pellets.
11. Lis, rev. uncertain object.
12. Anchor, rude imitation of Tower type; another less rude in the collection of Mr. Marshall, Birmingham, has the anchor more like a grapple.
13. Ton, rude imitation.
14. Ton, rude imitation, different dies.
15. Triangle, rude imitation, different dies.
16. Triangle, rude imitation, apex downwards.
17. Crown, rude imitation, apex downwards.
18. Plume., rude imitation, oval shield between C. R.
19. Plume, bust like York type, rev. declaration type, 1642, the 4 reversed.
20. Lion, rude imitation of later York shillings.
21. Lis, rev. lion, EBOR under shield.
22. Square shield, CARTVS &c.
23. Book, rude imitation of Aberystwith. MARSHALL.
Nos. 1, 2, 3 are of the same family as the half-crowns Nos. 28 to 33.
No. 4 though bearing the same date as No. 3, and a similar type, yet proves by its workmanship that it was executed at a different place, and by artists who had formerly been engaged at the Oxford mint.
Nos. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 resemble in workmanship the half-crowns Nos. 5 to 10, and were probably issued in the same districts. No. 10 more resembles the half-crowns Nos. 12, 13.
No. 12 and those following are mere rude imitations of the Tower or York types.
Sixpences.
1. B, plume before face, rev. no MM. 1646, declaration type.
2. Castle, rev. part of cross, boar's head, lis before and after AVSPICE, square shield.
3. Rose, rev. rose, oval shield, CVLTORES &c.
4. Rose, square shield.
No. 1, is from the same mint as the half-crowns Nos. 28 and following.
No. 2 certainly from the same mint as shilling No. 7.
No. 3 is a caprice issued from the Tower, probably not intended for circulation.
No. 4 extremely rude imitation of Tower type.
Groats.
1. Plume, plume before face, rev. no MM. 1646. declaration type.
2. Plume, plume before face, rev. plume, 1646. declaration type.
3. No MM., plume before face, rev. plume, 1646. declaration type.
4. Rose, armour marked with annulets, rev. helmet.
5. Rose, armour marked with dots, rev. helmet.
6. Lis, armour marked with dots, rev. helmet.
7. Lis, armour marked with dots, rev. lion
8. Book, rude imitation of Aberystwith type, with the smaller head. MARSHALL.
Nos. 1, 2, 3 from the same mint as half-crowns Nos. 28 and following.
Nos. 4, 5, 6, 7 very much resemble in workmanship, shilling No. 7 and sixpence No. 2.
Threepences.
1. Declaration type, one plume above, 1645 and no line below.
2. Declaration type, one plume above, 1646 and no line below.
3. Lis, armour marked with dots, rev. lis, oval shield.
4. Plume before face and over shield; very rude.
5. Rev. gerb? lying down, square shield.
6. Lis, armour marked with dots, rev. lion.
7. Nos. 1, 2 same mint as half-crowns Nos. 28 and following.
Nos. 3, 6 resemble the groats Nos. 4, 5, 6, 7. No. 4. extremely rude imitation of a Tower type. No. 5. appears to be connected with the half-crown No. 22.
Half-Groats.
1. Bell, rev. bell, legend blundered, oval shield.
2. Lis, armour marked with dots, oval shield.
3. Lis, rev. rose or lis, similar to No. 2.
4. Square shield, most rude.
5. Imitation of Aberystwith type, most rude.
6. Nos. 1, 4, 5 mere rude imitations of authorized coins.
Nos. 2, 3 resemble the groats Nos. 4, 5, 6, 7.
Farewell.