EXPERT INTERVIEWS•NEW COINS•TOKENS•NEWS

ISSUE ONE • SPRING/SUMMER 2018

MONARCHS
AND THEIR
MONEY
HOW ENGLAND’S EARLY RULERS USED
COINS TO EXERT THEIR POWER

THE 50P COLLECTING FRENZY HOW TO START A ROMAN, GREEK BANKNOTES: EARLY USA AND
EXPLAINED PLUS: SCARCITY GUIDE OR MEDIEVAL COIN COLLECTION ENGLISH NOTES EXPLAINED
 Coins | Commemorative Medals | Military Medals & Decorations | Tokens | Banknotes | Numismatic Books

To get in touch about these or any other items, contact us:

PHONE: +44 (0) 2079 306879 | EMAIL: [email protected] | VISIT US: 399 STRAND, LONDON, WC2R 0LX

www.baldwin.co.uk

/BaldwinsCoins @BaldwinsCoins @BaldwinsCoins

2 Coin Collecting Magazine

p02_ccissue12018.indd 2 21/02/2018 14:45

 EXPERT INTERVIEWS•NEW COINS•TOKENS•NEWS
ISSUE ONE | SPRING/SUMMER 2018

ISSUE ONE • SPRING/SUMMER 2018 • £4.50

Welcome
MONARCHS Welcome to the first edition of Coin Collecting Magazine.
AND THEIR We’re so excited and proud to launch this brand new publication and hope you
MONEY
HOW ENGLAND’S EARLY RULERS USED
enjoy reading the magazine as much as we have putting it together.
COINS TO EXERT THEIR POWER
Over the past few months we’ve spoken to many collectors, professional traders,
numismatic curators and authors, and asked them for their thoughts on the world
of coins and what type of subjects a new coin magazine should cover. Of course,
the thoughtful, informative responses have varied from expert to expert, reflecting
THE 50P COLLECTING FRENZY
EXPLAINED PLUS: SCARCITY GUIDE
HOW TO START A ROMAN, GREEK
OR MEDIEVAL COIN COLLECTION
BANKNOTES: EARLY USA AND
ENGLISH NOTES EXPLAINED
the many different avenues and opportunities coin collecting can present.
Flick through the pages of this issue and you’ll see that we’ve embraced this
diverse nature of our hobby and celebrate all aspects of numismatics, from the
Published by Warners Group
academic study of coinage (see ‘The British Numismatist’ section on page 41) to
Publications plc, 5th Floor, the pursuit of modern coins (don’t miss the scarcity index on page 60). Even the
31-32 Park Row, Leeds, LS1 5JD, UK.
most ardent of coin collectors can’t claim to collect everything covered in these
PUBLISHING pages, but we’re confident you’ll enjoy reading about the many different pieces.
Publisher: Collette Smith
[email protected]
Of course, we’ll continue to speak to collectors in the future, to ensure each
Associate Publisher: Matt Hill issue of CCM is packed full of engaging guides and authoritative articles:
[email protected]
which is where you come in. If you have feedback on this debut issue, please
EDITORIAL do not hesitate to contact me. I’d love to know what you think and what you
Editor: Matt Hill
[email protected]
would like to see in subsequent issues.
Deputy Editor: Rachel Bellerby Finally, on the subject of future issues, we’re already working on issue two of the
[email protected]
magazine, which will be published in August, and we will be going quarterly with
Contributors: the magazine next year. You can pre-order issue two via our website (see page 59)
Tony Abramson, Ed Archer,
Jonathan Calloway, Jesper Ericsson,
and why not sign up to our regular e-newsletter to keep updated? (See page 37). Matt Hill
Ed Fletcher, Jeff Garrett, Tony Gilbert, I hope you enjoy this launch issue and I look forward to hearing your thoughts Editor
Paula Hammond, Luke Hearn, Thomas
Hockenhull, Richard Kelleher, Adrian
on this and future issues of Coin Collecting Magazine. [email protected]
Marsden, Richard Morel, Mike Roberts,
Steve Webb, Gareth Williams.
Meet the experts
PRODUCTION
Senior designer: Nathan Ward
[email protected]
Designers: Rajneet Gill, Mary Ward
[email protected]

MARKETING
Lauren Beharrell
[email protected]
Tel: 0113 200 2916

ADVERTISING
Louise Clarke
[email protected] Thomas Hockenhull Tony Abramson Jeff Garrett
Tel: 0113 200 2915
Tom is curator of Modern Tony Abramson studies early Jeff describes himself as a ‘dealer’s
Sarah Hopton
[email protected]
Money at the Coins and Medals Anglo-Saxon coinage, has been dealer’ with over 35 years of
Tel: 0113 200 2925 department at The British Yorkshire Numismatic Society experience in the US coin trade.
PRINTED BY Museum. He has written many President since 2011 and He has served as President of the
Warners (Midlands) plc, The Maltings, papers on coinage including ‘Rising organises biennial symposia. He American Numismatic Association,
Manor Lane, Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH
above the Propaganda: German is a chartered accountant with has written books including 100
DISTRIBUTION BY Medallic Art in Britain (1914- a doctorate on Northumbrian Greatest U.S. Coins, and is a Board
Nikki Munton
[email protected]
1919)’. We speak to Tom on page coinage, and holds the Jeffrey Member of the Smithsonian
Tel: 01778 391171 42, and he details an intriguing North Medal. Tony describes Museum of American History.
Warners Group Publications plc
West Street, Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH
Suffragette Penny on page 66. York gold shillings on page 41. Read his column on page 10.

Disclaimer
The views expressed by contributors are not Coin Collecting Magazine Editorial Board
necessarily those of the publisher. Every care
is taken to ensure that the contents of the
Tony Abramson President of Jeff Garrett US coin dealer and Jonathan Mann Numismatist and
magazine are accurate, but the publisher
assumes no responsibility for errors. While Yorkshire Numismatics Society board member of the Smithsonian coin dealer, British coinage specialist
reasonable care is taken when accepting
Museum of American History
advertisements, the publisher cannot accept
responsibility for any resulting unsatisfactory Lawrence Chard Founder and Rory Naismith Lecturer in Medieval
transactions, but will immediately investigate
Expert Numismatist, Speciality Sovereigns Richard Kelleher Assistant Keeper, British History, King’s College London
any written complaints.
Department of Coins and Medals,
Copyright Elizabeth Cottam Specialist in Celtic Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge Anglo-Saxon and Viking coinage:
No part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system or transmitted without coins and Director of Chris Rudd Ltd Gareth Williams Curator of
the prior written permission of the publisher.
Early Medieval Coins and Viking
© WARNERS GROUP PUBLICATIONS PLC 2018
Collections at the British Museum
www.coincollectingmagazine.com
Coin Collecting Magazine | 3 | www.coincollectingmagazine.com

p03 Intro.indd 3 26/02/2018 11:54

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Midland & London coin fair.indd 1 19/02/2018 14:35

Coin Collecting Magazine | 4 | www.coincollectingmagazine.com

p04_ccissue1.indd 4 26/02/2018 13:02

 Contents
20 26 34

7 COIN UPDATE 30 COIN CURIO: EMPEROR OTHO 54 TEN ESSENTIAL TOKENS

The latest coin news, new releases and The story of Roman emperor Otho’s Token collector and specialist Mike
recent discoveries. Plus, ‘Coins across the short-lived reign, and the coins produced Roberts provides an introduction to
pond’ our regular insight into US coins the ten series of tokens which are most
34 COINS ON A BUDGET commonly encountered and are most
15 INTERVIEW: CONDITION IS KING A first-hand account of collecting Greek, popular with collectors
Max Spiegel of Certified Collectibles Roman and Medieval coins and how to start
Group, explains why condition can a collection without spending thousands 58 COIN STORY: A STEELY RESERVE
be so vital for coin collectors Paula Hammond tells the story of the
38 COIN STORY: CRUSADING COINAGE steel Lincoln cent, issued in the USA in
16 AUCTION UPDATE The silver schillings issued by the 1943, and its enduring popularity
The latest coin sales in the auction Order of Brothers of the German
rooms and on the internet House of Saint Mary in Jerusalem 60 SCARCITY INDEX
Discover which circulating 50p and
20 MONARCHS AND THEIR MONEY 41 THE BRITISH NUMISMATIST £2 coins are the most scarce with the
The lives, times and coins of England’s Our regular round-up of the latest exclusive index from Change Checker
early monarchs, including Aethelred the academic studies, museum exhibitions and
Unready and William the Conqueror recent discoveries, including an insight 62 NEW COINS & EVENTS
into Continental sterling imitations, Your comprehensive guide to the latest
25 BEST OF BRITISH and a visit to the London Mithraeum new coins. Plus, forthcoming events
Your ‘back-to-basics’ guide to collecting
British coins, starting with Celtic coinage 48 USA BANKNOTES 65 ADVERTISER INDEX
An introduction to the early paper money Your quick reference guide to
26 COLLECTING LOOSE CHANGE from British Colonial America and the the advertisers in this issue
Luke Hearn of collectables website material held at the British Library
Change Checker details the growing 66 CHANGING TIMES
interest in collecting circulation 52 BRITISH BANKNOTES An ordinary British penny of Edward VII,
50p and £2 coins and highlights The notes of the Bank of England and which was made extraordinary by a simple
the rarest pieces to pursue the three Scottish note issuing banks act of vandalism
Coin Collecting Magazine 1/4 page ad, March 2018, 65 x 184mm

The best choice of British Celtic coins

Gold staters from £500 Gold quarters from £250 Silver coins from £100 Bronze coins from £50

Every month we offer you a great selection of Ancient British coins. In our fixed-price catalogues,
in our all-Celtic auctions and in our online shop. All guaranteed genuine or double your money back.
For a free catalogue ask Elizabeth Cottam, Chris Rudd, PO Box 222, Aylsham, Norfolk NR11 6TY.
Tel 01263 735 007. Fax 01263 731 777. For the full story visit www.celticcoins.com

[email protected] Chris Rudd

Coin Collecting Magazine | 5 | www.coincollectingmagazine.com

p05 Content.indd 5 26/02/2018 10:47

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CARDIFF
Coin, Stamp and Collectors Fair
13/02/2018 14:47

Cardiff City Hall, Cardiff, CF10 3ND

New date for 2018:
7th April 2018, 7th July 2018
New Exhibitors Welcome
Why not come along to The Biggest Coin Collectors Fair in
Wales & The South West. The admission fee is 50p.
Telephone: 01792 415293
Taking table bookings for 2018 NOW!

Cardiff.indd 1 20/02/2018 12:49

Coin Collecting Magazine | 6 | www.coincollectingmagazine.com

 COIN THE LATEST COIN NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
UPDATE

NEW £1 ‘MINTING
ERROR’ DISCOVERED
A new £1 coin ‘error’ has been discovered which is completely gold in colour, rather than the
bi-metallic appearance of the recently introduced twelve-sided coins.
The striking error appears to have combined the design of the new £1 coin with an old
round £1 coin, with the new die being struck on an old blank. The first example that came
ANGLO-SAXON to light was sold for £205 on eBay, prompting many newspapers to report the discovery,

RARITIES and interest in the seemingly scarce coins only grew following the sale of a second coin at a
London coin auction for an
RECOVERED impressive £2,375.

TWENTY YEARS Writing on the Change

Checker website, modern
APART coins expert Luke Hearn
said: ‘In the past week
Almost twenty years separate the recovery alone, we’ve seen three
of two ancient gold coins that came to examples of this “error”
light in a ploughed field during the 1990s coin. The first was from
and two more gold coin finds in late a Change Checker from
Image: (c) TimeLine Auctions
2017, writes Ed Archer. Burnham-on-Sea who told
All four were discovered by archaeological us that they’d listed the coin on eBay. After receiving 22 bids, the coin sold for £205!’
researcher Chris Kutler, who maintains Days after the eBay sale, TimeLine Auctions offered what they described as an ‘extremely
and continues to expand the ARCHI rare and dramatic’ example of the ‘obsolete blank error £1’ as part of their four-day auction,
database which has so far pinpointed and with the hammer finally falling at a price of £2,375, including buyer’s premium. The auction
mapped more than 200,000 archaeological lot notes explained: ‘This one pound coin of the new type (issued 2017) has been struck on
site locations and find spots throughout a blank for the previous, obsolete and withdrawn one pound coin rather than on the new
England, Scotland and Wales. Used by bi-metallic flan that should have been used; such occurrences are extremely rare.’
world-renowned academic institutions Despite the discovery, Luke Hearn suggested collectors exercise caution if they find an
such as Princeton University and by metal example of the coin and, if possible, seek verification from The Royal Mint Museum.
detectorists, field walkers, ramblers, local Luke added: ‘As yet, we have not seen proof that these coins have been verified by The Mint,
historians and people from all walks of life so whilst they look genuine we will keep an open mind for the time being.’
who share a fascination with the historical The news follows the discovery in June 2017 of a dual-dated £1 coin with 2016 on the
landscape, the database has guided many obverse and 2017 micro-engraved on the reverse.
users to important discoveries and finds.
Chris Kutler does more than compile,
categorise and index the data; he also uses BEATRIX POTTER COINS REVEALED
the information himself whenever he goes
out with a metal detector. A farm visit in The Royal Mint has revealed four new
the 1990s resulted in his finding of two designs in the continuing Beatrix Potter
Merovingian gold tremisses. He returned to collection, beginning with a 50p coin
the same area recently while investigating featuring Peter Rabbit.
a potential Anglo-Saxon site and noticed The Brilliant Uncirculated and coloured
that the field on which he had searched Silver Proof 50p coins will be released over
in the 1990s was in a deeply ploughed the course of 2018 to supplement the 2016
condition, ideal for detecting. After making and 2017 collection that marked the much-
an agreement with the landowner to share loved author’s 150th anniversary in 2016.
the proceeds of any new finds, he made a Peter Rabbit will be the first of the
second thorough search of the old ground. four furry characters to be featured on a 2018 coin, followed by Flopsy Bunny, Mrs
The reward for his effort were a Witmen Tittlemouse and a mouse from The Tailor of Gloucester.
series gold thrymsa, one of the earliest Anglo- The distinctive, hand painted style of Beatrix Potter’s original illustration will be captured on
Saxon coins; and another Merovingian the silver proof coins by vivid colour printed designs, capturing the blue of Peter Rabbit’s coat,
gold tremissis. The few that have previously the red of Flopsy Bunny’s jacket and the pastel tones in Mrs Tittlemouse’s dress. Designer for
come to light have been valued at £1,500 to The Royal Mint, Emma Noble, was chosen to interpret Potter’s globally-recognised illustrations
£10,000. His Witmen type is thought to be for the 2018 collection. Alongside the special edition coloured coins, the four designs will also
one of the finest ever discovered. appear in the UK public’s pockets and purses later this year as plain-metal circulating versions.

Coin Collecting Magazine | 7 | www.coincollectingmagazine.com

p7-10 News.indd 7 26/02/2018 10:59

 COIN
UPDATE
NEWS IN BRIEF
Tim Wilkes, one of the world’s top
experts in Islamic coinage, has joined
the Coin Department at London-based
auction house Dix Noonan Webb. He will
work for the company across all areas of
numismatics. Tim is the author of Islamic
Coins and Their Values.

According to national newspapers

including The Daily Mail and The Sun,
the Queen has requested that a new
50p coin be issued to celebrate popular
children’s character Paddington Bear. MYTHICAL CREATURES ON NEW
The Privy Council documents include a PERTH MINT COINS
demand for 50p coins to mark the sixtieth
anniversary of the Paddington books, The Perth Mint has revealed two new coins featuring mythical
written by Michael Bond. The first story creatures from the ancient Orient as ‘global demand for Chinese
was published in October 1958, but at themed precious metal coins continues to soar’.
time of going to press no release date for a The world’s first pavé set Argyle pink diamond gold Jewelled
new 50p had been announced. Phoenix coin and Australia’s first rectangular Dragon bullion
coins were recently revealed at the 47th World Money Fair held
The Royal Canadian Mint has revealed in Berlin.
details of its new ‘MINTSHIELD™’ Perth Mint Chief Executive Officer, Richard Hayes, said:
surface protection, which reduces the ‘Collectors and investors are becoming more discerning each
occurrence of white spots on silver bullion year in their search for unique and exclusive products. We have
coins (also called ‘milk spots’). Invisible been issuing commemorative and investment coins with designs inspired by the Chinese zodiac
to the eye, MINTSHIELD™ doesn’t and other culturally significant symbols for many years, yet the fine detail and artistry of these
alter a coin’s composition or purity and latest releases has taken our craftsmanship to the next level.’
can be applied efficiently in a large-scale Crafted from 10oz of 99.99% pure gold and featuring a flowering paulownia tree, The
production environment. Find out more Jewelled Phoenix coin is adorned with a delicately sculptured 18ct pink gold Chinese phoenix
at: www.mint.ca/mintshield handset with a total of 1.22ct rare natural fancy coloured pink diamonds from Rio Tinto’s
famed Argyle Diamond Mine in Western Australia’s east Kimberley region.
The Royal Mint recently appointed Anne Meanwhile, the Mint’s Dragon coins are said to be ‘for the investor with a desire for the
Jessopp as its new chief executive and exceptional’ and are struck from 1oz of pure silver or 1oz of pure gold with each featuring a
Deputy Master of the Mint, the first stylised dragon chasing a flaming pearl amid earth’s elements.
female to take up the role in the Royal The two coins are issued as Australian legal tender and feature the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy
Mint’s 1,100 year history. Anne will lead of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the monetary denomination and the 2018 year-date on the
work to provide Britain with its cutting- obverse of the coin. Find out more at perthmint.com.au
edge secure currency and will also develop
the commemorative coin and bullion arm
of the business. Read more on this story at:
COINS AND BANKNOTES TO
www.coincollectingmagazine.com MARK MANDELA CENTENARY
Did you know? The National Portrait The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) have announced details of a
Gallery’s extensive website features coins new set of commemorative South African banknotes and a single R5
from the time of Offa, King of Mercia, circulation coin in honour of what would have been Nelson Mandela’s
a beautifully crafted William I piece 100th birthday, on 18 July 2018.
from 1068, and a King George IV silver SARB Governor, Lesetja Kganyago, said: ‘Nelson Mandela represented
medal with ribbon from 1816, engraved the best version of ourselves as South Africans. We unveiled the current
by Thomas Wyon Jr. It’s no surprise, Mandela series of banknotes in 2012 to honour him. While preserving
since the aim of the National Portrait the value of money is our main mandate, our purpose is to be a bastion of institutional strength,
Gallery, London is ‘… to promote the contributing to a stable and prosperous economy that serves the well-being of all South Africans,
appreciation and understanding of and guided in part by Madiba’s values.’
portraiture in all media’. You can see The statement from the SARB also confirmed that the current Mandela banknotes and the
the coins, medals and medallions in the existing R5 coin in circulation, both introduced in 2012, will remain legal tender and will
collection, and order prints showing the continue to be issued alongside the new notes and coins, which are expected to be introduced
pieces at: www.npg.org.uk into circulation from July 2018.

Coin Collecting Magazine | 8 | www.coincollectingmagazine.com

p7-10 News.indd 8 26/02/2018 11:00

 1918 VOTES ACT EXHIBITION
SHOWCASES
RECALLED ON 50P COIN UK’S GROWING
The Royal Mint is marking the centenary NUMISMATIC
of the passing of the Representation of the
People Act 1918 through Parliament with a
NETWORK
new 50p coin.
The coin was designed by Royal Mint Auction house Spink have collaborated with
Graphic Designer Stephen Taylor, and is The British Museum to launch the ‘Money
the third design of Stephen’s to appear on and Medals: mapping the UK’s numismatic
a United Kingdom coin – he also created collections’ exhibition.
the reverse design to celebrate Her Majesty The exhibition, in Room 69a at The
The Queen becoming Britain’s longest British Museum in London, aims to
reigning monarch in 2015 and the 2017 celebrate the achievements of the Money
Remembrance Day coin. and Medals Network, one of many subject
Stephen Taylor said: ‘My design uses the specialist networks that provide help and
familiar idea of a British queue, to suggest advice to UK museums. Run by the British
a line of people waiting to cast their votes Museum, the Money and Medals Network
at the ballot box. I began with the strong, promotes numismatics – the study of coins,
celebratory pose of the woman holding her ballot aloft, followed by the soldier, the working- medals, banknotes and associated objects
class man and the suffragette. I paid careful attention to their poses and clothing, showing – and enables the sharing of knowledge in
the different classes of society finally being this field. This exhibition will demonstrate
TECHNICAL DETAILS given a political voice after years of struggling the geographical spread of this work
to be heard.’ through the display of objects from six
1918 Representation of the People In 1918, servicemen over the age of participating institutions, many of which
Act 2018 United Kingdom 50p Coin nineteen, men over 21, and significantly, have never been loaned before.
Denomination: 50p women over the age of thirty and ‘of property’, The exhibition will feature objects
Obverse deisgn: Jody Clark were given the right to vote. from a variety of locations and sources,
Reverse design: Stephen Taylor The coin is available in a range of finishes: including a Magic Money Machine which
Diameter: 27.30mm Brilliant Uncirculated (Cupro-Nickel), Silver seemingly transforms a roll of blank paper
Weight: 8g (Brilliant Uncirculated, Silver Proof (925 Ag), Silver Proof Piedfort (925 into banknotes, on loan from the Magic
Proof); 16g (Silver Proof Piedfort), 15.5g Ag), and Gold Proof (916.7 Au). For more Circle Museum; a selection of Roman coins
(Gold Proof) information visit www.royalmint.com and replica medals of Louis XIV from the
Armagh Robinson Library in Northern
Ireland; and a collection of mostly Roman
ROYAL MINT LAUNCHES coins which was discovered at Knowsley
Hall in Merseyside in 2013.
COIN VALUATION SERVICE Henry Flynn, exhibition curator at the
British Museum, said: ‘The Money and
The Royal Mint has launched ‘The Royal Medals Network has been actively helping
Mint Collector Services’ a brand new range of museums with numismatic collections since
authentication and valuation services for pre- its creation in 2008. Activity has spread from
decimal coins which aim to give collectors ‘a England to Scotland, Wales and Northern
deeper understanding of their coins’. Ireland so it is now a truly national network.
The new service, available via its website at This exhibition celebrates this work as well
www.royalmint.com/collector-services, offers as championing the subject of numismatics
three levels of service – online, standard or through the display of loan objects from six
premium – to identify, authenticate and value fantastically diverse collections. Numismatic
coins. Customers of the Premium service will objects may be small, but they can be used
even benefit from a Royal Mint certificate to tell big stories which is something this
signed by the Deputy Master of the Mint to exhibition aims to demonstrate.’
authenticate their coin.
Anne Jessopp, CEO of The Royal Mint, said ‘As a trusted organisation with an Money and Medals: mapping the UK’s
unbroken history of minting British coinage dating back over 1,000 years, customers have numismatic collections, sponsored by Spink,
been asking us to value and authenticate their pre-decimal coins for some time. is on view in Room 69a from 22 March to 30
‘Following the announcement this year that we will be growing our presence in the collector September 2018. Read more about exhibitions
services market, I am delighted that we are launching a service that makes the respected and museum collections in our ‘The British
opinion of our experts more easily accessible for our customers.’ Numismatist’ section, starting on page 41.

Coin Collecting Magazine | 9 | www.coincollectingmagazine.com

p7-10 News.indd 9 26/02/2018 11:00

 COIN
UPDATE
COINS ACROSS THE POND CCG TO OPEN
LONDON OFFICE
US coin dealer and expert Jeff Garrett begins
Auction house Spink and The Certified
his regular updates on coin collecting in the Collectables Group (CCG) have announced
USA with a brief history of the hobby stateside that CCG, the coin certification service, will
open an office in London in April.
The new location will accept submissions
The hobby of numismatics has been very active in the USA to the independent members of CCG, which
since the 1850s. In 1857 the United States Mint eliminated include Numismatic Guaranty Corporation
the classic ‘Large’ cents that had been in production since 1793, the first year of US (NGC), Numismatic Conservation Services
coinage. These were replaced by the much smaller ‘Flying Eagle’ cents. This created (NCS), Paper Money Guaranty (PMG),
a frenzy among new collectors who began looking for the old ‘Large’ cents. Within Certified Guaranty Company (CGC) and
a few years, coin organisations were formed and numismatic publications began to Classic Collectible Services (CCS). CCG’s
appear. From these early roots, numismatics in the US has become a multi-billion London office will occupy the third floor of
dollar industry. There are hundreds of thousands of coin collectors in the US with Spink’s headquarters, though the CCG and
extremely varied interests. Many collect world and ancient coins, with British coins Spink spaces will be completely independent.
being of particular interest. NGC, PMG and CGC are the world’s largest
One area of strong collector interest in the US are early American colonial issues. third-party coin, banknote and comic book
These began with the early coinage of Massachusetts in 1652 and continued until certification services, respectively. Each company
the first Federal US coinage in 1793. Many can trace their origins to the British employs a team of specialists who authenticate
Empire, and coins struck for the colonies at the time are quite numerous. One of my collectables, assign a grade on an internationally
particular favourites from this time period are the many British Trade tokens that recognised scale and then encapsulate the
were struck for release in the US. collectables in secure holders designed for long-
An excellent reference for these and many other issues is the Guide Book of United term preservation. Collectables certified by
States Coinage (Redbook). The Redbook is probably the best book for anyone NGC, PMG and CGC are backed by the
interested in a general overview of American coinage. Another great source of respective company’s guarantee.
information is the website of the American Numismatic Association (ANA): money. A spokesperson said: ‘Certification
org. Membership of the ANA is a super bargain, and I have been a member since by NGC, PMG and CGC has added
1974. I recently completed my term as President of this wonderful organisation. transparency, confidence and liquidity to
collectables markets around the world. This
has led to higher prices realised for NGC-
Numismatics in the US has become a certified coins, PMG-certified banknotes
multi-billion dollar industry. There are and CGC-certified comic books. Together,
the companies have certified more than 46
hundreds of thousands of collectors in the million collectables.’
Olivier D. Stocker, Chairman and CEO
US with extremely varied interests. Many of Spink said: ‘Third-party certification from
services such as NGC and PMG has helped
collect world and ancient coins, with to expand the coin and paper money markets
around the world, and I experience it first-hand
British coins being of particular interest every day in Hong Kong at Spink China. Our
UK and European clients increasingly demand
There are many ways to collect US coinage. Most choose a series to collect, and NGC-certified coins and PMG-certified
focus on buying an example of each date and mint mark in the finest condition they notes, and we are fortunate to offer them these
can afford. Many of my generation started with filling coin albums decades ago, but services within our flagship building. Together
the hobby has matured considerably since then. Now coins certified by third party with PMG and NGC, Spink is thrilled to
grading companies are preferred by most serious US collectors. This is a trend that is offer a new leading “one-stop shop” service to
just now becoming more popular in Britain and the rest of the world. collectors and dealers in London.’
One of the most popular series of US coinage are Morgan Silver Dollars struck Steven R. Eichenbaum, CEO of CCG
from 1878 through to 1921. The coins were struck at several different Mints in the added: ‘The UK is not only home to a
US including Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco, Carson City and New Orleans. significant number of coin, banknote and
The coins are popular because they are large and contain about ¾ ounce of silver. comic book collectors and dealers, but it is
There are many common date issues that can be purchased for about $50 each in also a hub for collectors and dealers who travel
mint condition. Rare dates, however, can sometimes sell for over $1 million dollars in from other areas, such as Russia, India and
Gem condition. British collectors may find the series interesting as well, since George the Middle East. Together with our Munich
T Morgan designed the coins in 1878 shortly after moving to USA from England. office, this London location will provide an
Collecting US coinage is an exciting opportunity, and in future articles I will enormous region with better access to our…
explain the many ways you can explore this fascinating subject. certification services.’

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 11 Coin Collecting Magazine

p11_ccissue1.indd 11 21/02/2018 14:58

 COIN
UPDATE
NEWS IN BRIEF US MINT HONOURS
The Reserve Bank of India has sent out
millions of text messages encouraging
OLYMPIAN JIM THORPE
people to accept the 10 rupee coin The United States Mint recently issued
following rumours that many of the their Native American $1 coin for 2018,
circulating coins are fake. The distrust honouring Olympian and athlete Jim
of the coin is said to be down to the Thorpe, the first Native American to
number of different versions of the coin win a gold medal for his home country.
issued in the past decade. A statement The Native American $1 coin series
from the bank reads: ‘It has come to began in 2009, since when a new
the notice of the Reserve Bank that in coin has been issued featuring ‘an
certain places there is reluctance on annually-changing reverse design that
part of traders and members of public recognises the important contributions
to accept ₹ 10 coins due to suspicion made by Indian tribes and individual
about their genuineness… As coins have Native Americans to the history and
longer life, coins of different designs development of the United States’.
and shapes circulate in the market at the This year’s coin recognises the
same time. So far the Reserve Bank has accomplishments of Olympian and
issued ₹ 10 coins in fourteen designs… multi-talented athlete Jim Thorpe
All these coins are legal tender and can (1887-1953), who won Olympic
be accepted for transactions.’ gold medals in the 1912 pentathlon
and decathlon, and went on to play
Pobjoy Mint have revealed details of a new American football and baseball
coin issued on behalf of the Reserve Bank professionally. Thorpe’s Olympic
of Fiji which celebrates the Yellow Tree medals were taken away when it was
Frog. The yellow $1 titanium coin features discovered he had been paid for playing
a Yellow Tree Frog resting on some leaves. two seasons of semi-professional
A $2 Proof Sterling Silver version is also baseball before competing in the
available. Find out more at: www.pobjoy.com Olympics, and so was not
an amateur sportsman as
Sweden’s Riksbank has issued a report into Olympics rules stipulated.
the decline of the use of physical money Thirty years after his
in the country, assessing the potential for death the International
an ‘e-Krona’ digital currency. The report Olympic Committee
states: ‘Today, cash is used to an ever- (IOC) restored his
decreasing extent in Sweden, which has Olympic medals.
led us within the world of central banking The reverse (tails) side
to start considering whether a digital of the coin depicts Thorpe,
complement to cash that is guaranteed by with the foreground elements
the state is needed so that we will be able highlighting his football and
to promote a safe and efficient payment Olympic achievements. The inscriptions on the coin read: ‘JIM THORPE’, ‘WA-THO-HUK’,
system in the future too.’ his native name. The obverse design retains the central figure ‘Sacagawea’ carrying her infant
son, Jean Baptiste. Find out more about the US Mint at: www.usmint.gov
The Royal Canadian Mint has revealed the
design of the $10 Maple Leaf Coin 2018,
which it describes as ‘one of our most MUSEUM RAISING FUNDS TO KEEP
affordable coins’ and ‘the perfect piece to GOLD COINS FOUND IN PIANO
start or grow a new collection’. The coin
features the ‘beloved Canadian emblem’ of Saffron Walden Museum in Essex is aiming to raise £3,000 to acquire a portion of a hoard of
two maple leaves on the reverse. Find out gold coins discovered in an old piano in Shropshire.
more at: www.mint.ca The coins, which date from between 1847 and 1915, were deliberately hidden inside a
Broadway upright piano by a Saffron Walden resident sometime in or after 1926. Because of
Find us on facebook! You can keep up the value of the coins and the fact that they were deliberately hidden, they have been classed
to date with the latest coin news, offers, as Treasure under the Treasure Act of 1996. The coins remained hidden until the piano was
and details of the next issue of CCM moved to Shropshire and donated to a local school.
on our increasingly popular facebook The Museum’s Collections Officer, Leah Mellors, said: ‘The museum would like to acquire
page. Just visit us at: www.facebook.com/ a selection of the coins and the piano, so that we can display them in the museum and create
coincollectingmagazine education sessions for local schools. Find out more at: www.saffronwaldenmuseum.org

Coin Collecting Magazine | 12 | www.coincollectingmagazine.com

p7-10 News.indd 12 26/02/2018 11:01

 COLIN COOKE
P.O. Box 602, Altrincham WA14 5UN
Telephone: 0161 927 9524 FAX: 0161 927 9540
website: www.colincooke.com email: [email protected]

Complimentary List available on request

Coins to sell? Please get in touch

www.colincooke.com

15 Coin Collecting Magazine

p15_ccissue1.indd 15 21/02/2018 15:04

 SOLD FOR

£340,000

NGC-CERTIFIED COINS
REALISE
HIGHER PRICES
An 1839 Victoria “Una and the Lion” Gold Five Pounds was sold in September
2017 for £340,000, double the pre-auction estimate, after being certified by
NGC. Graded NGC PF 65 Ultra Cameo, it is one of the finest examples of this
rare and beautiful type.

The greatest coins go to auction with NGC.

NGCcoin.com | 001-800-NGC-COIN North America | Europe | Asia

12 Coin Collecting Magazine

p12_ccissue1.indd 12
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2/1/18 4:32 PM
 INTERVIEW

CONDITION IS KING
We asked Max Spiegel, Senior Vice President of the USA-based firm Certified
Collectibles Group, about the services provided by the Numismatic Guaranty
Corporation (NGC) and why condition can be so vital for coin collectors

What do newcomers to coin collecting need NGC Authorised Dealers in the UK or purchase an
to know about the condition of coins before NGC membership if they would like to submit their
they start out? coins directly to NGC.
A coin’s condition is one of the key factors that
determines its value. NGC was founded, in part, to What tell-tale signs should collectors look out
address the inherent bias that dealers have when they for when buying coins?
assign their own grades to the coins that they are selling. Authenticity is a major concern as counterfeiting becomes
A higher grade could mean a higher asking price. increasingly prevalent. NGC will only assign a grade to
In addition, different dealers may grade coins according coins that it has determined to be authentic. If we make
to different standards. For a collector, it would be difficult a mistake and accidentally grade a counterfeit coin, the
to compare one dealer’s grade to another. owner of that NGC-certified coin may send it back to
NGC removes these uncertainties by providing a fully NGC and make a claim against the NGC Guarantee.
impartial opinion of a coin’s grade. NGC does not buy or The NGC Guarantee provides recourse and
sell coins, and our graders are prohibited from buying and remuneration in the event that we mistakenly grade a
selling coins commercially. Our graders never know the counterfeit coin or overgrade a coin. It is an important
identity of a coin’s submitter, another measure to ensure consumer protection measure.
that coins are graded without bias. We are focused solely
on authentication, grading and encapsulation. Can you provide a brief explanation of the
To ensure consistency, all coins are graded according different coin grades/terms used?
to the same scale and evaluated by multiple professional Most coins receive a numeric grade from 1 to 70, with
graders. Collectors and dealers all around the world trust 70 being defined as a coin that has no post-production
the accuracy and consistency of NGC’s grades. imperfections at 5x magnification.
Some coins have surface problems that preclude a numeric
How does the NGC decide on a coin’s condition? grade. For example, coins that are improperly cleaned, are
NGC grades coins according to an internationally damaged or have other problems cannot receive a numeric
recognised grading scale of 1 to 70. A brief description grade. These coins instead receive an NGC Details grade,
of each grade is posted to our website, NGCcoin.com, which gives an adjectival description of a coin’s condition as
but a comprehensive understanding of all of the nuances well as a description of the surface problem.
comes only after years of experience and training. Coins that are numerically graded may be further
Multiple professional graders evaluate every coin for described with ‘Strike Characters,’ which provide
both authenticity and grade. If there is disagreement additional insight into the coin’s appearance. For example,
among the graders, they will discuss their opinions copper coins are described as BN (Brown), RB (Red
and reach a consensus. A ‘Grading Finalizer’ serves to Brown) or RD (Red) to indicate the amount of original
confirm a coin’s final grade. mint lustre the coin still has. Proof coins may be described
After coins are graded they are encapsulated in NGC’s as Cameo or Ultra Cameo (or without any Strike
secure, tamper-evident holder, which is designed for Character) to indicate the level of contrast between the
long-term protection. Once encapsulated, coins go back coin’s design elements and the surrounding fields.
to the graders for a final Quality Control check before
they are imaged and returned to the submitters. What is the most unusual or memorable coin
that has been graded by the NGC?
Is the NGC only for US coins and US collectors? We have been very fortunate to have examined many
How can a British collector use the service? memorable coins. One recent example is the renowned
NGC is a global company with offices and Official 1839 ‘Una and the Lion’ Gold Five Pounds. This coin
Submission Centres in ten countries. Heritage Auctions features one of the most beautiful designs, and the
UK serves as an Official Submission Centre in specimen that we recently certified was in excellent Notable coins to have been
London. Collectors can submit their coins to Heritage condition. We graded it NGC PF 65 Ultra Cameo, and it graded by the NGC include
Auctions UK, which delivers them to our US office for later sold at auction for an astonishing price of £340,000. a 1344 Edward III ‘Double
authentication, grading and encapsulation. Once graded, We also had the opportunity to grade a 1344 Edward Leopard’ (top) and an 1839
coins are returned to Heritage Auctions UK, which III ‘Double Leopard’ last year. The Double Leopard is ‘Una and the Lion’ Gold Five
then returns them to the submitter. To contact Heritage the first large-sized English gold coin and there is only Pounds. You can find out
Auctions UK, visit HA.com/UK one example known in private hands. We graded this more about the NGC at their
Alternatively, collectors can submit to one of several remarkable specimen NGC MS 62. website: www.ngccoin.co.uk

Coin Collecting Magazine | 15 | www.coincollectingmagazine.com

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 AUCTION THE LATEST COIN SALES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
UPDATE

A Venetian 40 zecchini, described as ‘exceedingly rare

and possibly unique’ was recently sold at Stack’s Bowers
Galleries. The large gold coin, weighing 139.23 grams,
depicts the Doge kneeling before St Mark, with the
reverse showing a standing Christ in a lens-shaped frame
amid stars. The previous owners commented: ‘This
beautiful coin has been in the family as long as we can
remember. As we tried to piece together its provenance,
we found ourselves reminiscing. Periodically, our father
would show us the Venetian 40 zecchini as one of the
most cherished of his family’s treasures. Because of the
turmoil of exile and wars, there were few such treasures.
We would stare at it in wonder; such wonder in fact,
that we never asked where it came from.’
SOLD FOR £129,000

A Greek tetradrachm of Ptolemy I Soter,

struck between 323/2 and 317/1 BC,
was recently sold at Classical Numismatic
Group, Inc. The 27mm coin featured the
head of Herakles, facing right and wearing
a lion skin, with a depiction of Zeus
Aëtophoros seated left, on the reverse.
The lot was described as being ‘struck from
dies of fine style’.
SOLD FOR £1,970

The recent Stack’s Bowers Galleries NYINC Auction of World and Ancient Coins
achieved a total realisation of over $9 million. Highlights included the so-called ‘King of
Canadian Coins’ which sold for $84,000 (approximately £60,250). The very rare 1921
50 cents coin boasted a grade of PCGS Specimen-62. The auction catalogue explained: One of the world’s oldest banknotes
‘Approximately 28,000 pieces were issued during the span from 1921 to 1929. Most went under the hammer in Hong Kong
experts believe those issued were dated 1920. When demand for the denomination recently. The Spink sale offered a 1
resurfaced at the turn of the ‘30s, John Honeyford Campbell, the mintmaster, decided kuan banknote of the Ming Dynasty
to melt the population of 1920 and 1921 issues then re-coin the silver into 1929 issues. dated between 1368 and 1399, the
Campbell worried that if the 1920 and 1921 issues were dispersed in 1929 that the black on mulberry bark paper note
general populace would suspect they were counterfeits due to the large quantity and old featured red stamps and depictions of
dates. It is believed that approximately 75 pieces dated 1921 survived the melting pot.’ strings of cash coins in the centre.
SOLD FOR £60,250 SOLD FOR £4,580

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 Some strong prices for Celtic gold coi
Gisleham Glory gold quarter stater of
quarter stater of the Trinovantes went Some strong prices for Celtic gold coins

same sale a Crescent Corn Ears silver were achieved in Chris Rudd’s recent sale.
A Gisleham Glory gold quarter stater of the

the Catuvellauni also sold for £650 – a

Iceni tribe fetched £4,000 (pictured) and
a Rowntree Fern Leaf gold quarter stater
of the Trinovantes went for £2,500 – both

Cottam of Chris Rudd. “Once more th record prices for these rare types. Elizabeth
Cottam of Chris Rudd said: ‘I’m delighted.
Once more this demonstrates that high

usually commands a high price.” grade combined with high rarity usually
commands a high price.’
SOLD FOR £4,000

The recent sale of Coins, Tokens & Banknotes at Tennants Auctioneers included ancient
hammered coins, English and foreign milled coins, banknotes, tokens and medallions, and
the sale resulted in a total hammer price of £106,390. The highlight of the sale was a rare
Elizabeth I gold half pound coin which sold for £6,500 (plus buyer’s premium). Minted in
London in 1560-1 (as denoted by the presence of a ‘Cross Crosslet’ mint mark), the coin
was equivalent to 10 shillings or a third of a sovereign. A spokesperson for Tennants said:

Gisleham Glory,
‘Half pound coins of this date rarely come onto the market and few almost perfectly round
and in such good condition as this example’.

c.40-20 BC, ABC 1492.

SOLD FOR £6,500

Rowntree Fern Leaf,

c.50-40 BC, ABC 2362.
Spink’s recent Numismatic Collector’s
Series Sale in New York included an
‘extremely fine’ Austrian gold medal
which sold for $23,000. The medal
depicts Archduke Leopold Wilhelm
(1614-1662) and dates from around
1647 to 1650. The auction catalogue
explained: ‘The youngest son of HRE
Ferdinand II and Maria Anna of
A beautifully engraved Bavarian gold five ducat piece was recently sold at Bonhams. Bavaria, Leopold Wilhelm served as
The coin was produced at the Munich Mint in 1640 and features a standing figure military commander during the Thirty
in armour holding a sceptre and an imperial orb on the obverse, with Madonna Years War and the Franco-Spanish
with child over clouds above a city view with fortifications on the reverse. The lot War, and as Governor of the Spanish
description explained: ‘An exceptional example of this issue struck to commemorate Netherlands (1647-1656). He was a
the completion of new fortifications around Munich. Fully brilliant, the needle-sharp great patron of the arts. Forrer notes
engraving displays a light cameo effect by the brightly reflective surfaces. Seemingly a very similar medal signed “Hier. Dv
each detail has been carefully struck up to include the Elector’s armour and facial Qvesnoy F.” as the only known medal of
features as well as the intricate cityscape spread out across the reverse under the gaze of Belgian sculptor and medallist Jérome

For more information contact Ch

the Madonna and Child. A sharp wire edge is complete around each side. A fabulous Duquesnoy (1602-1654). This medal
example destined for a fine collection.’ may also be by him. Extremely rare.’
SOLD FOR £20,898 SOLD FOR £16,500
email: [email protected] If
of the magazine to: Chris Rudd
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 AUCTION THE LATEST COIN SALES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
UPDATE

A ‘stunning’ 1880 ‘Flowing Hair Stella’ 1880

$4 cameo coin sold for $750,000 at the
recent Heritage sale at the Florida United
Numismatic Convention (FUN). The coin
was described as ‘one of the great rarities
A New York auction run jointly by four auction houses (Ira and Larry in American gold coinage and is ranked at
Goldberg, Dmitry Markov Coins & Medals, M&M Numismatics, number eighteen among the 100 Greatest US
and Sovereign Rarities Ltd) saw the sale of what was described Coins.’ The four dollar stella denomination
as ‘the most famous coin in the entire British silver series’ was first produced in 1879, as a pattern for a
for an impressive $649,000. The Petition Crown of proposed international coinage.
1663 was engraved by Thomas Simon as part of a
competition to become the nation’s Chief Engraver, SOLD FOR £540,000
following the controversial decision to appoint Flemish
brothers John and Joseph Roettier. The Petition
Crown was actually produced after the competition, as
a final attempt by Simon to change the King’s mind. The coin’s given name
is due to the piece’s edge lettering (shown on the right) which pleads with
the King to reinstate him. The auction description explains: ‘To engrave
a 34 word inscription of 160 characters of varying sizes on a 35mm edge
using only a very recently introduced technique, was a masterpiece of skill
and craftsmanship, that was widely admired at the time’.
SOLD FOR £467,400
The British milled coin section of the recent
Warwick and Warwick coin auction saw a
James I 1686 half crown, described as nearly
extremely fine, fetch £944.
SOLD FOR £944

A rare coin found in Norfolk in 2017 and

thought to have been part of an emergency
Described as ‘a significant coin within British numismatics, to say the least’, a coinage struck during the siege of Chester
George III silver Proof Pattern Bank of England 5 Shillings and 6 Pence was in order to pay the troops, was recently sold
recently sold by Heritage Auctions in the USA. The 1811 coin was in perfect by Dix Noonan Webb. The Chester Shilling
condition and, according to the auction house ‘obvious care has been bestowed was struck from oversized dies on a small
upon this coin for over two centuries, with early storage in a proper coin but full-weight flan. The lot description
cabinet that aided in the toning process, and more recently, a certified holder added: ‘As at other mints during the Civil
that protects it from environmental damage and human handling… a coin that War, the coins bear direct witness to the
has reached the pinnacle of perfection, and is likely to remain unchallenged in extraordinary circumstances under which
the marketplace as such.’ they were struck.’
SOLD FOR £37,800 SOLD FOR £944

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 19 Coin Collecting Magazine

p19_ccissue1.indd 19 23/02/2018 09:00

 MONARCHS AND THEIR MONEY

MONARCHS
AND THEIR
MONEY In the first of a two-part feature, Steve Webb
summarises the lives, times and coinage of some of
England’s best-known monarchs, this issue reflecting
on the coins of Aethelred the Unready, William the
Conqueror, Edward I and Henry V

E
King William I ‘The Conqueror’ ven people whose
by Unknown artist, 1597-1618 encounters with history
(© National Portrait Gallery, during early school days
London, NPG 4980(1)) put them off the subject
for life will, I’m sure,
Below: Aethelred II’s first hold mist-shrouded memories of the This penny, struck by the moneyer Theodric at Hertford mint c.1076, was found by
small cross type penny. The names of kings and queens whose a detectorist in Norfolk in 2003. The obverse legend reads ‘+PILLELM REX AN’, with
crescent shapes seen on the stories made an impact despite the William’s bust flanked by two stars. They may represent a new comet that appeared in
coin are peck marks made efforts of inferior teachers. We will 1075; and Halley’s comet which had appeared in 1066 at the start of William’s reign
by people testing the coin’s shed more light on these names
silver quality before accepting here, providing collectors with a Aethelred the Unready means well-advised to which the
it. The reverse legends reads solid background in the histories Aethelred II (AD978 to 1016), punster added Unræde (ill-advised)
‘+EADPINEMΩONLVND’ for and coinage of these intriguing famously known (or should referring to the poor guidance
the moneyer Eadwine at leaders and, perhaps, inspiring you that be infamously known?) as he received in matters of state
London mint. VF. Sold for to pursue one or two pieces from Aethelred the Unready, fell victim and warfare from counsellors and
£250 in a recent UK auction this distant era. to an Anglo-Saxon pun. Aethelred confidants. He had little choice
in the selection of those who
hedged around him at the time of
his accession to England’s throne,
being barely eight years old. And
before he attained manhood a crisis
of enormous proportions reached
the shores of his kingdom with
the arrival of Danish fleets and
armies that proved too powerful
for Aethelred’s defences. Following
a crushing defeat at the Battle of
Maldon in 991 he attempted to
buy off the ravagers by paying
tributes to the Danes on condition
that they departed England’s shores.
The Danes took the money, in
the form of English silver pennies,

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 and carried most of the coins across
the North Sea, before returning
to demand yet more Danegelt, as
the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles called
the English bribes. A thousand
years later, when metal detecting
as a popular hobby sprang up
in Scandinavia, the commonest
ancient finds that came to light
were silver pennies of England’s
Aethelred II. In 1002 he tried a
different strategy: a clandestine
massacre of any and every Dane
who could be found asleep and
unarmed in England during
the night of 13 November (St
Brice’s Day). Thousands died; The reverse displays the Hand of Providence, perhaps intervening to restore Aethelred to the throne following Forkbeard’s
unfortunately the numbers included death. The pre-sale estimate for this coin in a recent US auction was $1250 (approximately £904)
the sister of Sweyn Forkbeard,
King of Denmark. Sweyn’s revenge
attacks forced Aethelred to flee
to Normandy, abandoning his
throne to the Danish king; but Fate
intervened less than two years later
when Sweyn died and Aethelred
returned to the English throne, and
to relatively peaceful times for the
remainder of his reign.
His earliest coins exhibit a small
central cross on the reverse. His
next penny depicts the Hand of
Providence on its reverse, perhaps
a reference to his regaining the
throne following Forkbeard’s
short reign. A later penny has a
long voided cross which provided The parallel lines on the voided cross made cutting the penny to produce farthings or halfpennies easier and fairer
guidelines used when cutting a
penny to make two halfpence or
four farthings.

William I
Two crucial weeks elapsed between
William of Normandy’s landing on
Pevensey beach and the decisive
confrontation close to the present-
day town of Battle, East Sussex.
While awaiting the arrival of
Harold’s English army, William
built a fortification at Hastings
where he soon had a working mint.
The coins he struck there were
very similar to the few coins struck
by Harold before his death, with Later coins paid more attention to Aethelred’s obverse portrait. Here he is shown wearing a crown, clearly proclaimed King on his own penny
a left-facing bust. Subsequently,
however, William’s coins almost all intended to display his kingly of cross with lettering around
displayed a front-facing bust of the dominance over his new subjects. identifying moneyer and mint.
king wearing an elaborate crown, The usual legend on his coins reads The subjugation of the entire
or other striking headgear, and ‘PILLEMUS REX’ or ‘PILLEM country continued as William
prominently displaying regalia; or REX ANGLOR’ (‘King William’, opened (or re-used) seventy mints.
located beneath what numismatists or ‘William King of the English’). They indicate a burgeoning
have termed a canopy clearly Reverses usually show some form economy with avaricious Normans

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 MONARCHS AND THEIR MONEY

This was one of the earliest coins issued by the new Norman king; struck at Hastings
perhaps before his battle with Harold. The obverse, left-facing bust looks very similar to
a coin of his enemy, but the legend reads ‘+PILLEMVS REX’. William is depicted wearing
a crown and with a sceptre at his shoulder. The reverse legend ‘+DVNNIC ON ÆSTI’ tells
us the coin was minted by Duninc at Hastings. This particular coin was expected to fetch
$3,000 (approximately £2,170) at a recent US auction

This Bonnet type William I penny was struck at York c.1068-1070. The reverse legend reads
‘+OIIDGRIM ON EOFE’ (OUTHGRIM AT YORK)

exploiting their new lands; but Aethelred II portrayed in the

mints were always a source of Abingdon Chronicle perhaps a
income for a king; or in his gift. His century after his death
final reverse design has the letters
‘PAXS’ in the angles of the cross.
They may indicate that William
wished for peace after two decades
of conflict. Or they may have been
coins struck at mints the king had
gifted to ecclesiastical favourites.
This penny displays William’s elaborate Canopy type obverse. It appears to show the
king wearing a large crown and positioned beneath an architectural structure which may Edward I
represent Winchester Cathedral where William was crowned in 1070 Edward of Westminster (1239-
1307) was married at fifteen as
a pawn in an alliance stratagem
to thirteen-year-old Eleanor of
Castile with whom he sired sixteen
children, of which six survived
infancy. He became embroiled in
his father’s baronial wars; endured
capture; escaped from captivity;
defeated Simon de Montfort at
the Battle of Evesham; and was
busily crusading in the Holy Land
with his wife as consort, when the
sudden death of Henry III obliged
One of William’s PAXS type pennies. This one dates from c.1086, just one year him to return to England and
before the king’s death inherit the Crown in 1272.

Coin Collecting Magazine | 22 | www.coincollectingmagazine.com

p20 Monarch.indd 22 26/02/2018 11:13

 11 ...

12/13

14 ...
Despite their small size (diameter approximately 13mm), round farthings of Edward I are Henry V quarter noble struck in London 1413-1422. This coin sold in a 2012 TimeLine
keenly sought by today’s collectors who will pay perhaps £40 for a worn specimen, and up to Auction for £600
£140 for a vf-ef example, the grade of the example illustrated here 15 ...

16 ...
Edwa

17 ...

18 ...

19 ...

This c.1279 Edward I sterling penny, with its long cross and named mint on the Groat of Edward I. The obverse shows the King’s head framed by a tressure of four
20 ...
reverse; and its crowned facing bust on the obverse, became the standard for arcs, all within the legend ‘EDWARDUS DI GRA REX ANG’ (Edward, by the Grace
Conte
English pennies during the next two centuries; and a pattern for imitators across the of God, King of England). The reverse has a long cross to the edge of the coin,
Continent. Minted in London, this f/vf example sold for £50 with three pellets in each quarter. The surrounding legends read: ‘DNS HIBNE DUX
AQUT’ (Lord of Ireland, Duke of Aquitaine); and ‘LONDONIA CIVI’ (City of London)
By then in his thirties, he next worn and clipped money, and the
invaded and subjugated Wales; introduction of newly designed
then invaded Scotland and earned pennies, round halfpennies
the sobriquet Hammer of the and farthings, together with a
Scots; then captured and executed novel denomination – the groat
William Wallace; carried off the (4d). These and other monetary
Stone of Scone and returned in innovations were to shape sterling
triumph to London. A second coinage for the next 200 years.
Scottish rebellion led by Robert Shakespeare told us much about
the Bruce drew Edward and his the dramatic incidents in Henry V’s
army back to Scotland in 1306; life; but he omitted to mention that
but he died en route. at this period in England’s history
This man of action nevertheless (1413-1422) substantially more
found time to undertake major gold coins (nobles, half-nobles and
monetary reforms; not only quarter-nobles) were in circulation Henry V groat. Reverse inner legend ‘CIVITAS LONDON’
renewing the appearance and among merchant and gentry classes,
weights of English coins, but also who also had adequate supplies of
introducing new denominations groats and halfgroats. Worn quarter
and fresh ways of controlling mints. gold nobles of Henry V (worth
He had inherited a circulating twenty silver pennies) are regularly
money largely made up of coins too found by detectorists, a good
worn or clipped to join the huge indication that the coin circulated
numbers of better specimens that widely. At society’s lower end silver
had already vanished into private halfpence and farthings (the price of
hoards. Largely throwing the blame a loaf or tallow candle) met day-to-
for the clipping and hoarding on day marketplace needs.
Jews, from whom he extracted
heavy forfeits, he announced, Thanks to TimeLine Auctions, and to
in 1279, a phased withdrawal, the Wildwinds database, for use of a
beginning immediately, of the old, number of images used in this feature. Henry V penny

Coin Collecting Magazine | 23 | www.coincollectingmagazine.com

p20 Monarch.indd 23 26/02/2018 11:13

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Coin Collecting Magazine | 24 | www.coincollectingmagazine.com

p24_ccissue1.indd 24 26/02/2018 13:04

 BEST of
BRITISH

PART ONE
CELTIC COINS
In the first part of our back-to-basics ‘Best of British’ series on collecting
GB coins,we take a look at the growing popularity of Celtic coins

B
ack in the late 1960s, accompanied by puzzling symbols, Atrebates and Regni gold dozen independent tribes. This is
when our hobby enjoyed a and on some examples clearly quarter stater found by an easily accomplished in our image
surge in popularity thanks struck Latin legends spelling out or Essex detectorist. It became a overloaded modern world. Read Coin
to the loudly heralded abbreviating unfamiliar names. coin lot in a recent TimeLine Collecting Magazine; check advertisers’
conversion to decimal currency During the next decade, as Auctions sale with an estimated announcements about forthcoming
scheduled to hit us in 1971, the increasing numbers of the finds hammer price of £1,000 auctions that will feature Celtic lots.
notion that amateur coin collectors caught the attention of professional Start downloading Celtic coin images
might see, handle, even own Celtic numismatists, it became clear that and grouping them by tribe. If you
coins belonged to the realms of thriving monetary economies had can get to the British Museum
fantasy. Rarity and cost placed them flourished for almost a century before in London, Oxford’s Ashmolean
firmly in the hands of academic any attempt at Roman invasion of Museum; or the Fitzwilliam
numismatists and top echelon Britannia. Further study and more Museum in Cambridge, you will
museum curators. The few examples finds examined resulted in books and find astonishing varieties of British
that had come to light from hoards, academic papers that now told of a Celtic coins on display.
casual losses and excavated ancient vibrant Celtic monetary economy in If you live in, or regularly visit,
temples were not, we were assured, the hands of perhaps a dozen tribes a county where Celtic coins come
money in any circulating, buying, spread across lowland Britain. They to light as detectorists’ finds, get to
exchanging sense. Rather, they were bought and traded cattle, horses, know any local detectorists’ clubs
the private wealth of tribal leaders corn, precious metals, slaves and and the dates of their meetings.
who gave and received them to and imported Continental luxuries. They Attendance as a guest might lead to
from other tribal leaders as tributes, also acquired bullion to strike more meeting someone with duplicates
gifts, dowries and rewards for coins by hiring their mercenary skills for sale. Even if you don’t make
supporting the right side in wars. to anyone in need of fighting men. a purchase you will have the
Then came the 1970s and Over time it became possible to opportunity to see, perhaps hold, a
the use of metal detectors in the identify specific tribes; to demarcate few Celtic coins as they looked when
British countryside. They and their their territories; to locate markets; to initially found. You will also be able
accomplished operators soon brought sort coins by date and denomination; to compare prices, always useful if
to light substantial numbers of to assign modern names to different planning to bid in online auctions.
gold, silver and bronze alloy pieces sizes and weights; even to pinpoint
decorated with astonishing abstract tribal mints, though some Celtic
designs; some obviously inspired numismatic puzzles must remain FURTHER READING
by galloping horses and the head of unsolved until more of these Elizabeth Cottam & Chris Rudd, Britain’s First Coins
an heroic figure reminiscent of the fascinating coins are brought to light. (Chris Rudd, 2013)
Greek god Apollo. Others depicted What is the best way to make a
wild boars, horseback warriors start at Celtic coin collecting? You Elizabeth Cottam, Philip de Jersey, Chris Rudd, John Sills
brandishing spears, ears of barley, must first teach yourself to recognise Ancient British Coins (Chris Rudd, 2010)
bulls, eagles, chariot wheels; all the coins issued by each of the

Coin Collecting Magazine | 25 | www.coincollectingmagazine.com

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 Collecting
MODERN COINS

LOOSE
CHANGE
Thanks to the range of 50p coins issued to celebrate the London
2012 Olympic Games and the collecting frenzy that followed,
more and more people are carefully examining their loose change
for the latest new designs from Royal Mint. In a special feature,
Luke Hearn of collectables website Change Checker explains the
phenomenon and the rarest pieces to pursue

I
n 2012, The Royal Mint released 29 on the breakfast show sofas. But Peter Rabbit
different 50p coins featuring the different did just that. The Silver 50p crashed the
Olympic sports. For the first time, we Royal Mint’s website.
saw the general public properly collecting But it was not the base metal coin that
the coins in their change. With that came a would enter circulation that was causing all the
demand for information, collecting albums and excitement. Instead it was the limited edition
an interest in coin swapping. Silver Proof coin. And it wasn’t just Peter
In September 2012, we launched a capturing the nation’s imagination, it was the
rudimentary website that allowed collectors fact that he had been finished in colour – the
to swap Olympic 50p coins. With minimal first time the main element of a British coin has
promotion, we had 5,000 registered users ever been coloured.
within a few weeks. That was enough to get the story out there.
And so the concept of Change Checker was EVERYWHERE. By mid-morning The Royal
born, centred around an improved web app that Mint’s website had crashed under the sheer
allows collectors to find, collect and swap the weight of the public’s interest. The Mint
100-plus commemorative coins in their change, suddenly had to limit numbers and in little
and supported by social media and a range of more than a few hours all 15,000 coins were
Change Checker collecting merchandise. completely sold out.
Suddenly the sell-out consolidated demand
Why are modern coins so and interest for the base metal Peter Rabbit
popular to collect? coin, as well as the three further issues of
The 2012 Olympic sports 50p series was a 2015: Squirrel Nutkin, Mrs Tiggy-Winkle and
revelation in coin collecting – for many it Jemima Puddle-Duck.
represents the start of their interest in UK Excitement increased even more when The
circulation coins and thousands rose to the Royal Mint announced that they would make
challenge of finding them all from their an early release of the circulation coins in just
change. However, it was on 29 February 2016 five locations with links to Beatrix Potter.
when UK coin collecting changed forever. It Of course, a few years ago the story may
wasn’t changed by a new currency, a new coin have come and gone as quickly as Peter
specification, or even a new denomination. Rabbit scurrying out of Mr McGregor’s
But by a small rabbit. A rabbit called ‘Peter’. garden. But not in 2016.
Of course, Peter is no ordinary rabbit, he’s As stories of shortages grew, collectors turned
the naughty creature at the centre of Beatrix to eBay to sell not only the scarce silver 50p
Potter’s beloved children’s stories. So why did but also the Royal Mint base metal packs – all
this 50p have such a huge impact? at a massive premium. Online auctions in May
Whether books, plates, figurines or plush, were showing circulation coins achieving sale
nearly all of us have grown up with Peter Rabbit prices north of £30, whilst crazy listings had
collectables, and still today, when seeking a gift ‘buy-it-now’ prices closer to £100.
for a new baby, a first birthday or a Christening, And so the collecting frenzy continued to
we turn to the works of Beatrix Potter. spiral, with journalists returning to the story
It’s unusual to wake up to see a new British that had first whet their appetites in February
coin hitting the headlines of the morning’s as a new coin, bringing it back to life as the
newspapers and being the conversation point new ‘rare coin’ to enter circulation.

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 2002 Commonwealth Games £2 series
The 2002 Commonwealth Games were held in Manchester, and prior to the Olympic Games in
London in 2012, it was the largest multi-sport event ever to be held in the UK.
The Royal Mint released four different designs of the £2 commemorative coin, all identical except
that the central cameo features a different flag for the four constituent countries of the UK.
Two factors have made these coins popular with collectors. The first is the low mintage figures; the
Northern Ireland coin is the lowest of all post-1997 £2 coins with just 485,500. The highest in the
series, Scotland, also has a tiny mintage figure of just 771,750.
The second factor is the difficulty in telling the four coins apart, in particular the Northern Ireland
Modern rarities and England coin. It is not easy when the coins are in mint condition but with sixteen years of wear
and tear, in some cases, it’s almost impossible.
So what other rare coins have
captured the public’s imagination
in recent years? Let’s start with
the Kew Gardens 50p piece, the
most legendary of UK base metal
circulation coins. The Kew Gardens
50p has become a major frustration
for the vast majority of change
collectors with coins regularly
selling for over £80 on eBay. Some
have even resorted to buying illegal
‘copy’ coins in an attempt to have a
complete collection.
With a mintage figure of only
210,000, it’s no surprise that most
people have failed to find this coin.
As most coins have now been added
to personal collections, the chances of
finding a genuine Kew Gardens 50p
coin in your change are very slim.

The ‘Undated 20p’

It’s regarded by many as the Holy Grail of change collecting, and back in 2008, the undated
20p saga encouraged an entire country to start carefully checking their coins. In fact plenty of
collectors are still doing just that in the hope of finding one.
In 2008, the reverse of each denomination from 1p to £1 was redesigned by Matthew Dent
to feature a different part of the Royal Arms Shield. The 20p had previously included the date
on the reverse, but with the entire face of the coin now devoted to the new design, the Royal
Mint produced a new die with the date on the obverse.
However, when the new Royal Shield 20p coins were struck for circulation, the old die
was accidentally used, meaning a batch was issued with no date on either side of the coin.
The undated 20p became the first coin in over 300 years to enter circulation without a
date, and when the story broke in the Press, it caused a frenzy not just in the collecting world
but amongst the general public who realised they stood just as good a chance as anyone of
pulling one out of their change.
Estimates have varied over the years but The Royal Mint confirmed in a statement that no
more than 250,000 coins made it into circulation.
Stories from numerous media outlets fuelled rumours about the coin’s value.
Estimates quickly spiralled out of control, and some began trading hands online for
thousands of pounds.
Of course, a coin with such a high mintage could never really be worth that sort of
figure, and in recent years the average selling price for an undated 20p has levelled
off. Nowadays they normally sell for around the £50 mark, still not a bad return for
a 20p coin!
In terms of rarity, you are approximately twice as likely to find an undated 20p as you
are the famous Kew Gardens 50p. However, ordinarily an undated 20p will sell for more.

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 MODERN COINS

Scarcity index
Generally collectors have had to rely upon mintage figures to
identify the scarcest coins. But they only tell part of the story.
Trying to find a good quality coin from fifteen to twenty years
ago, even for a higher mintage issue, is much more challenging The ‘Inverted Effigy’ £2
than a more recent issue, as coins become damaged over time
and are ultimately removed from circulation. First discovered by a Change Checker, and then confirmed as genuine
Additionally, some designs are more hoarded than others by The Royal Mint, this unusual strike appears on a handful of the
by people who might not normally collect coins – the recent 2015 Britannia £2 Coins.
poignant First World War £2 Coin series being an example. The Royal Mint has accounted for the seemingly impossible
Finally, it can be up to a couple of years before the Royal Mint misalignment of the Queen’s effigy as ‘almost certainly the result of one
eventually confirms the actual mintage for an issue. of the dies working loose and rotating during the striking process’.
That’s why Change Checker have combined the mintage The result is that the Queen’s head is offset by around 150 degrees
information with two other key pieces of information: compared to the Britannia design on the reverse of the coin.
The Royal Mint are unable to give any indication of how many
• How many of each design are listed as ‘collected’ by Change Inverted Effigy coins have entered circulation but we made some
Checkers, indicating the relative ease of finding a particular coin. initial estimates.
• The number of times a design has been requested as a swap The first-year 2015 £2 Britannia is already one of the most-scarce
over the previous three months, showing the current level of circulating £2 coins ever issued with just 650,000 coins passing through
collector demand. banks and cash centres. That already places it third equal in the all-time
low mintage charts.
Importantly, as new coins are released and popularity rises and We analysed 5,000 circulation coins and our results suggest that the
falls across different designs, the Scarcity Index will be updated Inverted Effigy may have affected as few as 1 in 200 of the coins struck
quarterly allowing Change Checkers to track the relative – in other words around just 3,250 coins.
performance of the UK’s circulation coins. You can keep up to Of course, if the Inverted Effigy is a consequence of the die slipping
date with the Change Checker Scarcity Index in this and future during the striking process, it is possible that there may be other
issues of Coin Collecting Magazine, see page 58 for the latest index. variations where the Queen’s head is less or more misaligned as the die
has worked its way out of position.
Getting the public involved
The aim of Change Checker is to get everybody in the UK
checking their change and we offer a number of services to
assist them.
Our Change Checker web app, which is completely free to
use, allows users to:

• Find and identify the coins in their pocket

• Collect and track the coins they have
• Swap their spare coins with other Change Checkers

We also run a hugely popular blog providing readers with all

the latest news and information about UK base metal coins.
Finally, our social media pages (Facebook, twitter and
Instagram) are constantly updated. We receive daily reports
from Change Checkers around the UK as and when they
receive a new coin in their change or discover an unusual mis-
strike or ‘mule’, for example, ensuring our pages are the best
place for breaking coin news.

Coin Collecting Magazine | 28 | www.coincollectingmagazine.com

p26 Change checker.indd 28 26/02/2018 11:15

 ®

Discover the treasure in your pocket ...

With the FREE Change Checker

App you can:

Find
Identify the £2, £1 and 50p coins in your
change using www.changechecker.org.

Collect
Track the coins you own and discover
interesting facts about each coin in your
collection.

Swap
Find other Change Checkers online at
www.changechecker.org and swap
your coins.

/changechecker @changechecker @changechecker

www.changechecker.org/register
29 Coin Collecting Magazine

p29_ccissue1.indd 29 21/02/2018 15:18

 COIN CURIO
Introducing Coin Curio… Our contributor ‘Curio’ has amassed and dispersed
several different collections over four decades. His nom de plume is taken from
Alexander Pope’s lines on an 18-century collector who prefers coins to sex: ‘And
Curio, restless by the fair one’s side / Sighs for an Otho, and neglects his bride.’

OTHO’S
COIN
DETAILS
OTHO
(15 Jan 69 - 17 April 69)
Silver denarius, Rome
Obv: ‘IMP OTHO CAESAR
AVG TRP.’ bare head r;
Rev: ‘SECVRI-TAS [PR]’

FLEETING REIGN Securitas standing

left, holding spear
and wreath

Though Otho reigned for only three months, the near-contemporary accounts by Suetonius and
Tacitus provide us with a poignant portrait of a complex man

H
is image on busts and coins confirms Suetonius’s ‘for whom nothing is too good’. For a while the two men shared
description: ‘Otho, who did not look like a Poppaea’s favours, until Nero pulled rank and cleared the field
very courageous man, was of medium height, by making Otho Governor of the distant Lusitania. Otho’s ten-
bow-legged, and with splay feet; but almost as year administration of the province was, according to Suetonius,
fastidious about appearances as a woman. His marked by ‘considerable restraint’. When Nero’s excesses led to a
entire body had been depilated, and a well-made toupee covered revolt, Otho threw in his lot with the then 72-year old Galba, who
his practically bald head.’ succeeded to the empire after Nero killed himself in June 68 AD.
A member of the patrician Julio-Claudian clan, Otho had been Seven months later Otho himself revolted when Galba adopted
a wild youth, wandering the streets of Rome in search of drunks Piso Frugi Lucianus as his heir. His motive may have been
to toss in a blanket. He wrested the celebrated beauty Poppaea personal ambition (inflamed, if you believe Suetonius, by an
astrologer’s prediction). But, Suetonius relates that Galba had
AMBITION FINDS TO HER offended Romans by sentencing many to death ‘without trial on
the scantiest of evidence’, and had outraged the army by refusing
DELIGHT THAT THE GLORIES to pay a promised bonus. Some, it seems, hoped that Otho would
restore the old republican virtues. There were few to defend Galba
OF THE PAST DO SURVIVE, when the plot emerged.
IN THE MINIATURE FORM OF But Otho was not recognised by the army in Germany which,
instead took an oath of allegiance to their general, Vitellius.
DISREGARDED COINS Otho wrote to Vitellius, offering to marry his daughter and share
imperial power with his father-in-law. But by this time Vitellius’s
from her husband and married her. Then, Tacitus alleges, he won men were too eager for the bounty that would come if their general
influence at court by deliberately talking up his wife’s charms to the became emperor, and Vitellius’s hands were tied. According to
emperor Nero (Suetonius suggests that Otho was already himself Suetonius, once Otho’s diplomatic moves had failed to achieve
in a physical relationship with Nero). Tacitus gives a brilliant peace, he ‘set out gaily on his campaign’.
description of Poppaea’s wiles, pretending to be overwhelmed by Suetonius’s father served in Otho’s army and gave his son a
Nero’s good looks and then claiming devotion to Otho, a man favourable account of the emperor’s end. After the defeat of his troops

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 Thous ands of
stamps and
at Bedriacum, he still commanded the loyalty of many of his men
and could have fought on. But ‘his conscience prevented him from
continuing to hazard lives and treasure in a bid for sovereignty.’ On his

coins at you r
last night he wrote letters to his sister and to Nero’s widow, Messalina,
whom he had intended to marry. He then burnt his correspondence to
prevent reprisals against his friends, placed a dagger under his pillow,
slept soundly, and when he awoke at dawn immediately stabbed

fing ertips!
himself in the left side.
When coin collecting came into vogue in the 17th century, one
favourite series consisted of the emperors covered by Suetonius’s
history: Julius Caesar, Augustus, Tiberius, Gaius (Caligula), Claudius,
Nero, Galba, Otho, Vitellius, Vespasian, Titus, Domitian. The wealthy
‘virtuoso’, would return from his Grand Tour of France and Italy
with a set of the ‘Twelve Caesars’ in silver, gold or, best of all, large,
orichalcum sestertii with matching patina. Unfortunately, however, no
sestertii were struck during Otho’s three-month reign, so large numbers Download the
STAMP & COIN MART
of ‘Paduan’ forgeries were struck to satisfy the demand, many of them
of excellent style and fabric.
One sign of the growing popularity of coin collecting was Joseph
Addison’s 1720 Dialogues on Medals (‘medal’ was the word used to digital edition today
dignify all ancient classical coinage at this time). The great poet,
Alexander Pope, wrote one of his most brilliant works as a preface
to this volume. He depicts a personified Ambition despairing of
• Read on your device, wherever
preserving the glories of ancient civilisation through grand temples, you are in the world
columns and public monuments. These have all crumbled to dust;
sometimes even their place on the map is lost. But, Ambition finds • Gain access to our huge
to her delight (and to Pope’s who was only four foot six inches high), back issue archive
that the glories of the past do survive, in the miniature form of
disregarded coins, whose images may be as sharp and vivid as when • Zoom in to see stamps
they were first made: and coins in detail
WIN! NEW
STAR WA
RS

Ambition sigh’d: she found it vain to trust

STAMP
S • POS
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TORY
• NEW
ISAAC
Nov
emb
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NEWTON
50p

The faithless column and the crumbling bust; LO

The
NEWstriking st
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‘CL COMO

Huge moles, whose shadow stretch’d from shore to shore,

ASSIC TIV

UBL a
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STAM
PS
IC
GB’S
STAMPRO-E

Their ruins perish’d, and their place no more!

Wh UR
conferey we cele PS OF OPE
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with
a threa Europe
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Convinced, she now contracts her vast design,

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break vakia’s
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And all her triumphs shrink into a coin.

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A narrow orb each crowded conquest keeps, 03/10/2
017
11:04

Beneath her palm here sad Judea weeps:

GB Stamps
Now scantier limits the proud arch confine,
And scarce are seen the prostrate Nile or Rhine:
A small Euphrates thro’ the piece is roll’d,
And little eagles wave their wings in gold.
Another trip to…
Pope goes on to satirise ‘pale antiquaries’ who ‘pore’ over the
A galaxy far far away
In 2015 Royal Mail issued hugely popular Star Wars stamps to coincide with the new film in the

inscription of a coin, but ‘adore’ the ‘rust’ or ‘varnish’ (patina).

sci-fi franchise. Now, with the next instalment in the series set to hit cinemas in December, we
return to the subject for a set depicting droids and aliens

T
he response to the The stamps feature and the inevitable related souvenirs. stamps again replicates the familiar font
decision to celebrate Star illustrations by British Whatever, the stamps were used for the films, and the four ‘droid’
Wars on British stamps artist Malcolm Tween, obviously a great success for Royal stamps include design features that
back in 2015 was the as did the Star Wars set Mail, and so the arrival of a new become visible only under a UV light.

This the blue varnish, that the green endears,

philatelic equivalent issued in 2015 set, this time in anticipation of Star According to Royal Mail: ‘the new
of Marmite, you either loved the idea Wars:The Last Jedi, due in cinemas at stamps reflect the passion of the British
or hated it. Traditionalists enquired Christmas, is hardly a surprise. public for the movies, and celebrate the
as to the British connection of a film Once again the stamps feature the major British contribution to the film

The sacred rust of twice ten hundred years!

created by Disney – actually many of beautiful artwork of British artist Malcolm series.’ But this time the British influence
the characters featured were played by Tween, who also designed the 2015 is a little harder to see, with no human
British actors while most of the movie stamps, and the eight new designs follow characters included. Instead we’re treated
was filmed in the UK – while fans of the format of the previous stamps closely. to ‘new and classic droids and aliens that
the films eagerly collected the stamps The style of the ‘1st’ value on each of the have appeared across the iconic films’. So
who are they? Cue some unusual names

Stamp details and inventive biographies.

Alien issues

And he describes the ardent collector dreaming of obtaining a Issue date: 12 October 2017
Design: Interabang
Illustrations: Malcolm Tween
We start with the orange, 1,000-year-
old alien, Maz Kanata on the first of
the stamps, a boisterous ex-pirate,

‘Pescennius [Niger]’, still a rarity today. Denarii of Otho are not so

Acknowledgements: images TM & who holds court within the galaxy’s
© Lucasfilm Ltd; all rights reserved underworld, knows the way of the Jedi,
Printer: International Security and is an old friend of Han Solo, as
Printers, lithography seen in The Force Awakens.
Those more familiar with the original

rare nowadays. But in the 18th century not enough hoards had been
Perforations: 14.5 x 14.5
Phosphor: bars as appropriate films released in the 1970s and 1980s, will
Gum: PVA recognise Chewbacca, the faithful co-pilot
1st - Maz Kanata and companion to Han Solo for many
years. Chewbacca witnesses the tragic

discovered to satisfy the market, and Otho was by far the rarest of the
1st - Chewbacca
1st - Supreme Leader Snoke death of his best friend, Han Solo in the
1st - Porgs most recent episode and is left with his
1st - BB-8 ship, the Millennium Falcon, seen in the
background of the design.

‘Twelve Caesars’:
1st - R2-D2
1st - C-3PO A shadowy figure who leads the First
1st - K-2SO Order, Snoke trained Kylo Ren in the
dark side of the Force, and is seen on

www.stampandcoin.co.uk
30 NOVEMBER 2017

And Curio, restless by the fair one’s side,

p30 GB stamps.indd 30 03/10/2017 09:47

Sighs for an Otho, and neglects his bride.

Even in the 18th century there were those for whom numismatics
was better than sex.
Find out more at:
www.stampandcoin.co.uk
Coin Collecting Magazine | 31 | www.coincollectingmagazine.com

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 (Advertising feature)

WHY I LOVE CELTIC COINS

Professional numismatist Elizabeth Cottam shares her knowledge of, and passion for, Celtic coins

W
hat’s so special the first in Germany, the first in
about Celtic Switzerland, long before these
coins? What’s nations had a national identity.
making
them increasingly popular with Vast variety
collectors all over the world? I love the vast variety of Celtic
We all have our own reasons for coin types. Before I joined Chris
liking Celtic coins. Here are mine. Rudd in 1998 I’d no idea there
were so many. Britain alone
Celticity minted 1,000 different types,
I love the Celticity of Celtic as you’ll see when you look at
coins. They were produced by Ancient British Coins (Chris Rudd,
peoples who all spoke Celtic, the 2010) which I co-authored.
old mother tongue of so many
countries in Europe. Did you know Tribal vibe
that the earliest known Celtic I love the tribal vibe of Celtic coins,
inscription comes from Spain? with each tribe having its own 13 possible tribal groups were producing coins by c.50-40 BC (Cantiaci much earlier). Tribal
distinctive coinage, so unlike the names, recorded in the Roman era, may not be accurate.Tribal boundaries speculative.
Primal antiquity blanket blandness and universal
I love the primal antiquity of uniformity of national coins today. wilder, weirder, more fantastic,
Celtic coins. Mostly over 2,000 Some coins carried tribal symbols. more surrealistic than any other
years old, they were the first heads you see on any other coins.
coins made in England, the first Regality
in France, the first in Belgium, I love the regality of Celtic coins – Amazing menagerie
rulers regaled with royal coronets, I love the amazing menagerie of
diadems and golden neck torcs creatures on Celtic coins, from bulls
symbolic of their sacral kingship. and boars to stags and starfish.
The very sound of their cocky
monickers – Dubnovellaunos ‘ruler Imaginative imagery
of the world’, Addedomaros ‘great I love the imaginative imagery of Silver unit of Caratacus ‘the beloved’,
in chariots’ – is cheering to my Celtic coins. This was Britain’s best known son of Cunobelinus, c.AD
ears. You’ve heard of King Arthur, golden age of daring coin design. 40-43, ABC 1376. For eight years
King Alfred and William the Con- he fought the Roman rape of Britain,
queror. But how many pre-Roman Mythic mystery until betrayed by Cartimandua ‘strong
rulers can you name? Two? Five? I love the mythic mystery of pony’, queen of the Brigantes
Ten? Over seventy are now known, Celtic coins. I catch glimpses of
mostly thanks to their coins. long-lost legends and ancient silver minims. How did the
pagan rituals, such as head ancient Brits manage to get
Freedom fighters hunting and bull sacrificing. I so much detail onto an 8mm
I love the freedom fighters on feel the power of Druid priests coin (smaller than my smallest
Celtic coins, those brave warrior- who probably influenced the fingernail)? How did they stan-
kings and warrior-princes who design of many Celtic coins. dardise the weight at ¼ gram?
opposed the power of Rome, like
Vercingetorix and Caratacus. Miniature masterpieces Hidden humour
I love the miniature masterpieces I love the hidden humour of
Roman love affair of Celtic coins, especially those of Celtic coins –all those smiley
I love the Roman love affair
that other Celtic rulers had,
importing fine Italian wine and
silver tableware and copying
Roman coins.

Handsome heads
A few of the many animals that populate I love the handsome heads on Three bronze units of Cunobelinus with a Roman-style helmet (ABC 2960), the Roman
British Celtic coins Celtic coins –stronger, stranger, god Janus (ABC 2981) and a Roman-style laureate head (ABC 2957)

Coin Collecting Magazine | 32 | www.coincollectingmagazine.com

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 unrivalled guile they managed to
make plated gold staters look and
feel like solid gold staters.

Unpredictability
I love the unpredictability
of Celtic coins. New types
keep leaping out of the soil.
These three coins show a bull sacrifice (ABC 2972), a head on a standard (ABC 1235) and Attributions, names and dates are
a severed head being carried (ABC 2987) always being revised. Celtic studies
are in a constant state of flux.
As soon as the metdet phoned me and
Uncommon scarcity described this coin, I knew it was unique.
I love the uncommon scarcity Inamn silver unit, c.AD 1-20? ABC 2063.
of Celtic coins. Ask any metdet Found near Cirencester, Glos., 12.3.2006
how many Ancient British coins
he or she has found and you’ll British gold stater typically costs
immediately realise that they are less than half the price – sometimes
much rarer than Roman coins even a third of the price – of a
– at least a thousand times rarer Roman aureus or English gold
on average. noble of comparable quality and
rarity. Celtic coins are, in my
Galloping good value opinion, undervalued coins.
Horned god or Druid priest? Die reconstruction of Petersfield Cernunnos silver unit, Finally, I love the galloping good
ABC 686, with holed Selsey Cernunnos silver unit, ABC 680, both struck by the Regini of value of this horsey money. Their Elizabeth Cottam is co-author of
West Sussex, c.55-40 BC greater rarity doesn’t mean that Britain’s First Coins (2013) and
Celtic coins areCoin Collecting
costlier than other Magazine:
Ancient British Coins (2010) and
faces and those ‘now-you-see-it- Uniqueness 1/4
ancient page
coins. In fact,ad,
they130 x 92mm,
are often March
Director of Chris Rudd 2018
Ltd, the
now-you-don’t images’ as Van I love the uniqueness of many cheaper. For example, a very fine Celtic coin specialists.
Arsdell calls them. Celtic coins, the exciting exclusivity

Astonishing astrology
of holding the only known example
of an Ancient British coin in my Buy the book and
get the coin FREE
I love the astonishing astrology of hand. Such remarkable rarities
Celtic coins – the galaxies of suns never cease to thrill me.
and moons and stars that shine and
twinkle on hundreds of Ancient Historical importance
British coins. Once again I sense I love the historical importance of WORTH £20
the shadowy presence of Druids. Celtic coins – the fact that they are
helping to rewrite the history of
Hoary hoards Britain in the late Iron Age. Many
I love the hoary hoards of Celtic of its rulers are known solely from
coins that keep hitting the their coins. £10
headlines. No banks in those days,
no ‘hole in the wall’ ATMs. So I Foxy old forgeries Winner of the Royal Numismatic Duro Thunderbolt silver quarter stater
Society’s Lhotka Prize, 2015. ABC 2217, shown twice actual size.
guess folk had no choice but to dig I love the foxy old forgeries of
We want to make it easy for you to begin collecting British Celtic
a hole in the ground. ancient Celtic counterfeiters. coins. So here’s our offer: Buy our prize-winning introductory book
With matchless metallurgy and Britain’s First Coins, 56 pages, 300 coin photos (most greatly
enlarged), £10 + £2 UK p&p, and we’ll give you a silver quarter
stater of the Durotriges tribe, guaranteed genuine, 2000 years old,
average grade, worth £20, absolutely free. This amazing offer is for
first-time private customers of Chris Rudd (one per household, no
traders), while stocks last, and ends 30.6.2018. To order your copy of
Britain’s First Coins - “wonderfully illuminating” (Prof.M.Henig),
“A perfect starting point, profusely illustrated” (Prof.V.Megaw) -
and claim your free coin, email [email protected] or phone
01263 735 007 or write to Elizabeth Cottam, Chris Rudd Ltd,
PO Box 222, Aylsham, Norfolk NR11 6TY. Don’t delay, order today.

[email protected]
Chris Rudd
Caesar says the Druids have ‘much knowledge of the stars and their motion’
(Gallic War 6.14). This Durotrigan gold quarter stater, ABC 2205, shows people in
a sun-boat, plus a zigzag thunderbolt like the coin in our ad (right)

Coin Collecting Magazine | 33 | www.coincollectingmagazine.com

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 COLLECTING GUIDE

COINS ON A BUDGET
Collector Ed Archer provides a first-hand account of his explorations of Greek, Roman and
Medieval coins and explains how you can start a collection without spending thousands

GREEK COINS

C
ollecting Greek coins collector on a tight budget.
has been an interest Of these, the most commonly
of mine for many available are those from the
years spurred on by Seleucid section of the Empire.
visiting Greece as a teenager The Seleucid family ruled over
and then working as an assistant modern-day Syria, Lebanon
courier for two summers first and Palestine, one of the richest
on the island of Mykonos and regions in the Hellenistic
then taking tourists around world. A collector with a small
Greece and Western Turkey the budget should also be able to
following year. afford some of the Macedonian
It was, however, while I was bronzes even those of Philip
studying Ancient and Medieval of Macedon who was the
History and Archaeology at Father of Alexander the Great.
university that I began to take Ptolemaic Egypt also is an area
an interest in collecting Greek worth looking at, however
coins. Being a student my do not expect to acquire a
budget was rather limited so I cheap example of a bronze
concentrated on Greek bronzes of Cleopatra VII, Anthony’s
as they were in my budget mistress, as these command
range and I would encourage much higher prices.
anybody starting out collecting Other areas for collecting
Greek coins to do the same. Greek bronzes on a shoestring
Prior to selecting any coins, include Bactria – modern
I would suggest reading Afghanistan and Northern
Collecting Greek Coins by Pakistan. This Hellenistic
John Antony. Copies of the province became separated
paperback, published in 1983 from the rest of the Hellenistic
by Longmans, can be found Empire by the resurgence
on the internet. Another useful of an Iranian empire led by Alexander the Great etched by Jacques Reich after the marble bust in the Capitol
source of information is the the Parthians. Bactria issued at Rome (Library of Congress, LC-USZ62-40088)
two-volume set Greek Coins and Greek style coins into the first
Their Values. century BC. £30 and £40. Occasionally, period are not expensive,
Greek bronzes are relatively Many of the Roman very tiny Greek coins can be especially those of Alexander
cheap even now since they provinces in the East issued acquired for less, some of these the Great, as these were struck
are often in a fairly worn coins with Greek inscriptions are of particular interest and in large numbers.
condition and the writing is on them and many of these would make an intriguing
often a challenge to collectors, can be acquired at reasonable addition to a collection, as they Hoard coins
who instead choose another prices, especially the billon are only the size of a pinhead. Coin hoards have helped
country’s coinage. However, tetradrachms of Alexandria. Classical silver is out of the collectors to secure examples
it is best to save up to get one question, but coins from some of Greek silver coins both from
relatively good coin rather Silver options of the colonies of the Greek Asia Minor and the Black Sea
than buy half a dozen very Collecting Greek coins in city states are reasonable. For area. I have seen one from
worn specimens. silver is more of a challenge example, a drachm of Naples Pontos, modern-day Crimea,
but nevertheless an interesting can cost around £40, a very going for about £35. Similar
Where to start? collection can be built up for a reasonable price for a coin of prices can be paid for those
Hellenistic Greek coins are reasonably modest price, with the Classical period. Silver from Cappadocia. If a collector
a great place to start for the most coins priced at between drachms of the Hellenistic wants to spend about £200 then

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 STARTER PRICES

Naples was a colony founded by the city state of Rhodes.

This coin was struck about 430 BC – the Classical period of
Greek history. The reverse shows a bull with a human face with
a nymph flying overhead. Part of the inscription of the name Marble bust of the Emperor Constantine I, from Stonegate, York, c.306, currently
Neapolis is between the bull’s legs. The obverse shows the head held at the Yorkshire Museum (image courtesy of York Museums Trust)
of a nymph. Note that the quality of the silver has been tested at
some time as there is a cut underneath the nymph’s head.
ROMAN COINS

C
COST c.£40
ollecting Roman Where to start? Perhaps the
coins has been a best bargains are to be had in late
passion of mine since Roman bronze coins of the House
my early teens when of Constantine. Literally millions of
a friend gave me a tin containing these coins were struck across the
a dozen Roman coins, writes Ed Empire and many have mint marks,
Archer. I was hooked. including ‘PLN’ Prima Londinium,
As a teenager I did not have the first mint of London.
much money to spend on coins Another cheap category to collect
and, like any beginner, I had to is the billon antoniniani of the mid
A silver drachm of Alexander the Great. The reverse shows work to a budget. My collection to late 3rd century. These coins
Zeus enthroned holding an eagle with hand outstretched gradually grew. Initially I bought reflect a time when the Roman
and a sceptre in the other hand. The inscription behind from dealers’ lists, today I buy at Empire went through a period of
the throne is ‘Alexandros’, the Greek for Alexander. On coin fairs. Antique and collectors profound political instability. Some
the obverse is the deified head of Alexander as the god fairs are also worth attending as examples have a good amount of
Zeus Ammon, connecting Alexander with the Egyptian god you can often find a dealer with silvering whereas others have hardly
Ammon, better known as Amun Ra. some Roman coins in stock. any silver on them at all. The coins
COST: c.£35 Of course, these days there to pursue include those of Valerian,
is also ebay though there is Gallienus Claudius Gothicus,
some very nice silver tetradracms collectors fairs are similarly always the risk of purchasing a Postumus and Aurelian.
of the Seleucid Kingdom can be useful as coin dealers also fake. Even some of the common Large Imperial bronzes of the 1st
purchased. They are certainly attend some of these events. Roman bronzes have been faked, and 2nd century can be acquired
worth saving up for but are Finally there is the internet. especially in Bulgaria. If the for about £20 but do not expect
more suited to an established Auction sites such as ebay coin looks too good to be true, anything in perfect condition.
collection, rather than being and delcampe have a wealth proceed with caution. Silver coins can be collected on
something for beginners. of material on offer, but the With Roman coins it’s possible a shoestring but again one is not
beginner should proceed both to get a bargain or end going to end up with anything
Where should one go to with caution, as forgeries up paying too much. To avoid spectacular for under £30 even
purchase coins? do appear on many auction paying over the odds consult a for the most common emperors.
Coin fairs are an excellent place sites. Don’t rush in, and if catalogue and decide your budget The best silver coins to start with
for a beginner to get some idea a deal seems too good to in advance. Look carefully at the are those of Septimius Severus
of what is available and the be true, then perhaps it is. coin’s condition and use paypal and Commodus. Coins of both
event can be treated as a fact- Instead, attend coin fairs, read whenever possible, giving you emperors are often available in
finding trip with no pressure to up on the subject, speak to the opportunity to get your good condition for between
buy a coin right away. Looking knowledgeable dealers and get money back. The internet is an £30 and £40. Good silver wash
around is vital, and there is your Greek coin collection option, though nothing beats coins of Valerian, Postumus and
also the opportunity to ask started with a few of the handling the coins and talking to Gordian III come into this price
dealers questions. Antique and cheaper pieces. a dealer face to face. bracket and can make an attractive

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 COLLECTING GUIDE

addition to any collection. Roman Coins and How to Collect

Roman Provincial coins can Them is a straightforward and very
be collected cheaply especially informative book by John Fox and
Tetradrachms from the time of published by Longmans in 1983.
Nero up to the time of Diocletian. Richard Reece’s Identifying Roman
Also worth considering are the Coins, published by Spink, is also
barbarous imitations of official worth considering as it helps to give
issues from across Europe. These the collector a useful starting point.
were issued from the late 3rd to Finally the Sears series of Roman
the 5th century. They form an Coin catalogues are extremely useful
interesting field of study and are and should be considered a must for
not particularly expensive. serious collectors of Roman coins.

STARTER PRICES
These examples are both bronze and silver Roman coins of King Alexander III of Scotland on the left with Llywelyn, Prince of Wales on the right as
reasonable quality. They are by no means the cheapest as guests to King Edward I of England at the sitting of an English parliament
poorer specimens can be purchased for much less, but from
experience, it is better to save for more collectable items.
MEDIEVAL COINS

M
y interest in The best coins available for the
medieval coins English Middle Ages are those of
started with the the reigns of Henry III and the
acquisition of a Edwards, in particular Edward
group of pennies and a couple I. Henry III coins are relatively
of groats from a publican in common, both short cross and
Lancashire, writes Ed Archer. long cross coins, as Henry III was
That was back in the late 1960s on the throne from 1216 to 1272.
This is a common copper coin of the house of Constantine when metal detecting had not The best coins to go for to begin
– often referred to as the camp gate variety. There are many taken off and there was less with are those from Canterbury
different types of this particular coin, for example rarer varieties interest in coin collecting. and London and one can form
with four turrets. Therefore it is always worth looking carefully at The situation has changed, a nice collection of moneyers
each coin. They are cheap but interesting to collect. Many come especially since the advent of ebay, from these mints for little outlay.
from hoards; this came from the Grassmoor hoard and cost £12. and prices of hammered silver Edward I coins are even more
On the reverse is the inscription ‘Providentiae Avgg’ which coins have increased despite the common and thousands have
translates to ‘the providence of the Emperors’. Beneath the fact that more coins have now been been discovered all over Britain in
camp gate with two towers is the mint number and name found. Those thinking of starting recent years by metal detectorists.
‘STR’, the second mint of Trier in Germany. The obverse a collection shouldn’t be put off; It is not difficult to pick up coins
features a portrait of Constantine and his name is round the it’s possible to start a collection of this reign from Canterbury,
edge. This coin was struck between 320-324 AD. COST c.£12 of coins from Medieval England London, York and Durham.
without paying a fortune by Edward II coins fall into this
visiting coin fairs and antique and category too. The wars that both
collectors fairs as well as looking at Edward I and Edward II fought
dealers’ lists on the internet. resulted in literally millions of
The coins that I would suggest silver pennies being struck.
starting with are silver pennies Silver pennies and farthings, in
from the beginning of the reign of particular those of Edward I and
King John to the end of the reign Edward II, can also be picked up
of Richard II. It is possible to find relatively easily since the discovery
coins from between £30 and £40 of these in recent years has made
This is a silver denarius of the Emperor Septimius Severus covering this period of the Middle them more affordable.
(193-211 AD) and cost £24 from a dealer. The reverse shows Ages. It must be noted that some Groats and half groats are less
Victory with a palm, the inscription around the edge refers to monarchs’ coins are scarcer than easy to find at reasonable prices
Severus’s victories in Arabia. On the reverse is the portrait others, but the collector can always but those of Edward II and Henry
of the Emperor Septimius Severus, an important emperor to opt for a coin in fine condition VI are perhaps the best to go for.
collect as he more or less reconstructed Hadrian’s Wall. that is legible and have the option Later hammered coins can
This coin was struck in 126 AD. COST c.£24 of replacing it with a better be picked up and the most
specimen if and when funds allow. commonly available are those of

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 the reigns of Queen Elizabeth I Antioch are available from
(1557-1603) and James I (1603-
1625). The sort of coin from
around £15 and upwards; the
same story also applies to coins
STARTER PRICES
these reigns that one might get is of the French occupation of
a sixpence or a shilling. Likewise Greece after the collapse of the
Charles I shillings of the Civil Byzantine Empire in 1204.
War period can be bought for Byzantine coins too are an
around the £35 mark. interesting area for collecting
Scottish coins, especially from and generally speaking there
the Civil War period, can be are plenty from the 6th to 14th
picked up with luck but earlier century that can be purchased at
coins are very expensive and a reasonable price.
highly sort after. Finally, French, Spanish
Saxon coins tend to be above and Sicilian coins all provide a
the ‘shoe-string level’ except for collector with the opportunity to This Edward I (1272-1307) silver penny from London cost just
the copper sceattas struck in the build an interesting collection at £18 in an antique and collectors fair in Edinburgh last year.
8th century in the Northumbrian relatively little cost and of great The reverse has an inscription ‘Civitas London’, which means
capital of York. historical interest. ‘the city of London’. In the centre is a cross with three balls in
Popular with many collectors There are a wide variety of each quarter. The obverse shows a portrait of Edward I with an
are coins of the Crusades and books that are useful to the inscription around it reading: ‘Edwar Angl Dns Hyb’ or ‘Edward
examples can be purchased collector. A History of Medieval of England, lord of Ireland.’ COST c.£18
relatively cheaply, such as the Coinage in Britain, published
French silver deniers from by the Greenlight Publishing
Toulouse or Tours which were company, is recommended, as
used by the Crusaders even is A Beginners Guide to Medieval
in the Holy Land. As for the Coins by Paul Torongo. The Spink
Holy Land itself, coins of catalogue of English coins is
the Bohemond family from another must-read.

Charles I (1625-1649) silver twenty pence piece acquired

two years ago from a dealer in London for £20. The obverse
shows the king’s portrait with the twenty pence value shown
as XX. The inscription in Latin reads ‘Car Dg Scot Anglr et
Hyb r’ which translates as ‘Charles by grace of God king of
Scotland, England and Ireland.’ On the reverse is a crowned
thistle with the inscription ‘Iustitia firmat thronum’ or ‘Justice
This ‘fair’ Edward I silver penny from c.1461-1471 was sold on ebay for £10.49 strengthens the throne.’ COST c.£20

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 COIN STORY
One of the undoubted appeals of collecting is that every penny, pfennig or peseta
COIN has its own story to tell. Paula Hammond tells the story behind the silver schillings
STORY issued by the Order of Brothers of the German House of Saint Mary in Jerusalem

CRUSADING
COINAGE
T
he Order of Brothers of the
German House of Saint Mary
in Jerusalem are probably
better known by their
unofficial name, the Teutonic Knights.
Although most people now think of the
Teutonic Knights as a military force, like
most Medieval orders, they began life
as a charitable body, caring for injured
German Crusaders in the Holy Land.
However, they also had a crusading ‘arm’
and when the Christians were driven out
of the Middle East, following the Siege
of Acre in 1291, the Order’s activities
became increasingly militaristic. their own rules, rulers, and, of course, Grand Duke of Lithuania married
They relocated from the Levant to coinage. In fact, the silver schillings Queen Jadwiga of Poland, forging an
Hungry, where they helped defend which they issued during the early alliance between the two nations. Poland
the nation against advancing Turkish 1400s represent the Knights at the knew that if they could break the power
forces. From there, they were invited to height of their power. Emblazoned with of the Knights, then they wouldn’t
undertake a campaign to Christianise a shield and a cross (the Arms of the just be helping a new-found ally. They
the Old Prussian, pagan states. It took Teutonic order) on the obverse, and a would be winning vast amounts of
fifty difficult years for the Knights to shield and a Prussian-style eagle on the territory and rich trading opportunities
finally establish control over the region. reverse, these coins simply shout out for themselves. Given such high stakes,
While today’s history books often power and prestige. They are not tokens conflict was inevitable.
recall the battles which took place in of a pious, impoverished religious order. Grunwald was one of the largest
the Middle East, few now remember They’re a statement of statehood and a battles in Medieval Europe and ended
these ‘Prussian Crusades’. Yet they were symbol of status. with the death or capture of almost all
perhaps some of the most bloody and The Order continued to expand its of the leaders of the Teutonic Order.
pitiless conflicts of the period because, power and influence, until the disastrous Although they retained some of their
while Muslims and Christians may Battle of Grunwald in 1410. Ironically, lands right up until the 1800s, the
have respected each others as fellow though, their defeat came not at the Teutonic Knights eventually returned
‘believers’, the Pagan Prussians were hands of ‘infidels’ but fellow Christians. to their religious roots, leaving behind
seen as nothing more than savages. By For decades, the Knights had been their silver schillings as a small
the end of the century, the Prussians trying to capture Lithuanian territory reminder of how they once held Europe
who survived the onslaught had been with little success. Then, in 1385, the in their thrall.
enslaved and the Knights controlled not
just the hugely valuable Prussian grain
trade, but could now boast control of Today’s history books often recall the
their own independent state.
By the 1300s, members of an order, bloody battles which took place in
who had once taken a vow of poverty,
ranked amongst the richest and most the Middle East, few now remember
powerful men in Europe. The Knights
were no longer merely a body of these ‘Prussian Crusades’
crusaders, but a nation state, with

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 Warwick and Warwick have an expanding requirement for coin and banknote collections,
British and worldwide and for coins and notes of individual value. Our customer base
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40 Coin Collecting Magazine

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15/02/2018 11:11
09:55
 Page 42 A brief history of the BANS Congress
Page 42 Q&A: Tom Hockenhull, British Museum
THE BRITISH
Page NUMISMATIST
44 Continental sterling imitations

The British
Page 46 Inside the London Mithraeum

NUMISMATIST
YOUR INSIDER GUIDE TO THE WORLD OF PROFESSIONAL NUMISMATICS

REASSESSING THE GOLD

SHILLINGS OF YORK
Numismatist Tony Abramson shares his thoughts on the gold
shillings of York and puts forward a new theory on the pieces

T
he York gold shilling has long been
condemned as ‘quite devoid of
sense’, and it was only three years
ago that an auction cataloguer at
Spink, Jonathan Mann, suggested that the legend
commenced ‘SANCTE’. I asked a colleague at
York’s Centre for Medieval Studies, Dr Mary A shilling of Paulinus
Garrison to help complete the reading. Mary
suggested ‘VIA DCk EFV’, giving a proposed stone and Paulinus became the first bishop of
transcription of the entire legend as ‘SANCTE York. It is precisely these historical events which
VIA DEUS EOFORWIC’, a divine blessing on were commemorated in the succession of issues
York, a clear indication of the mint-place. of gold shillings of York.
But there is a second inscription on this The distribution of metal-detected finds of WOLD NEWTON
closely-related group of shillings. In discussing
this with Dr Garrison, I strongly favoured an
types inscribed for Paulinus reflect his travels
throughout the north carrying out mass-
ROMAN LECTURE
episcopal source, mainly because the coinage baptisms. In 633, Edwin was killed in battle at NOW ONLINE
of York is replete with Christian iconography. Hatfield Chase near Doncaster. Paulinus and
Augustine’s mission to convert the English to the Æthelburg fled to Kent, where Paulinus became The Coin Collecting Magazine team recently
Roman form of Christianity had been reinforced Bishop of Rochester for his remaining ten years. attended a most informative meeting
in 601 by experienced Roman clerics who would Critically, the See of York remained vacant of the Yorkshire Numismatic Society,
have been far more familiar with the symbolic until the Synod of Whitby in 664, by when during which Dr Andrew Woods, Curator
and economic use of coin than the English courts the silver early penny had superseded the gold of Numismatics, York Museums Trust,
to which they had come. It is they who are most coinage – there could only have been one issuer discussed the recently found Wold Newton
likely to have initiated the early English coinage. of an episcopal gold shilling at York, Paulinus, so hoard, which has been acquired by York
We know from contemporary artefacts that placing York at the forefront of English coinage. Museums Trust.
inscriptions may read counter-clockwise and The hoard is one of the largest and best
the title, ‘EPS’ for Episcopus, comes at the end. excavated coin hoards of the ‘Tetrarchy’ ever
Armed with this knowledge, I studied the second discovered in Britain, and was buried at a
inscription on the York coinage, and, in a flash of time when York had a central role in the
inspiration, realised that what read ‘ÍãOHE3ãà history of the Roman Empire.
EP,’ should be transcribed as ‘PAOLIENUS EP’,
a short step from ‘PAULINUS EPISCOPUS’.
FURTHER READING Andy’s entertaining and enlightening
talk explored its discovery, conservation,
Paulinus was among the reinforcements to the Abramson, T., 2017, Sceatta List: An contents and what it can tell us about
Augustinian mission in 601. Bede tells us that in Illustrated and Priced Catalogue of coinage in the early fourth century. The
625 King Edwin of Northumbria ‘received the Sceats for Collectors, second edition talk covered the discovery of the coins;
Faith through the ministry of Paulinus’, Edwin (Spink, London) the condition of the hoard, including the
had enjoyed ten years of successful military presence of insects on many of the coins;
campaigns in the north but had now turned Gannon, A., 2003, The Iconography of the history of the Roman Empire at the
to more diplomatic means of strengthening his Early Anglo-Saxon Coinage, Sixth to time many of the coins were minted; and
regime. Conversion was followed by betrothal Eighth Centuries (Oxford: OUP) the treatment and exhibiting of the coins.
to Æthelburg, sister of Eadbald of Kent and You can watch our video of the lecture on
daughter of queen Bertha. Clearly a strategic Metcalf, D. M., 1993–94, ‘Thrymsas the Coin Collecting Magazine website. Just
alliance of political significance. It was Paulinus and Sceattas in the Ashmolean visit: www.coincollectingmagazine.com
who accompanied Æthelburg to York to preside Museum, Oxford’, RNS Special
over the wedding. Edwin committed to replace Publication, 276, 3 vols (London: RNS) Image Courtesy of York Museums Trust
the wooden church of St Peter with one built in (Yorkshire Museum).

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 THE BRITISH NUMISMATIST

A BRIEF HISTORY OF
THE BANS THOMAS HOCKENHULL
CONGRESS
Thomas Hockenhull, the Curator of Modern Money in the
The British Association of
Numismatic Societies was British Museum’s Department of Coins and Medals, looks
established in 1953, it had back on his first forays into numismatics and explains why
gradually evolved from a series
of ‘Coin Days’ held since readers should visit the Museum as soon as possible
1947, writes Anthony Gilbert,
Honorary Treasurer of The British Association How did you become
of Numismatic Societies (BANS). Its mantra involved in numismatics?
was to provide a mechanism whereby a focal Before I joined the British
point could be formed for the continuation Museum in 2007 my knowledge
of a Congress in order to help strengthen the of numismatics was what might
study of numismatics in Britain. be charitably described as limited.
Congresses have been held regularly since But in my historical studies I’ve
1954 (except for 1986 when the International always been interested in material
Numismatic Congress was held in London), culture and how it informs our
and every part of the UK has hosted one, plus historical understanding. Joining the
Dublin in 2006. Each Congress has its own Department of Coins and Medals
organiser Society or Club, or joint organisers. afforded me the opportunity to
The now established format begins on interact with these objects on a
the Friday afternoon and concludes after daily basis, and the more I learned
lunch on the Sunday. There is a mixture about them the more interesting
of presentations and talks by numismatists they became. EH Carr called
and historians covering the full spectrum of numismatics one of the ‘auxiliary
research and study into coins, medals, tokens, sciences’, of historical investigation.
banknotes and money-related topics. On the I like the fact that the smallest
Saturday afternoon there is an organised trip objects often tell the biggest stories.
out to a local historical town or feature, then
in the evening there is the Congress Dinner. What attracted you to modern money, your chosen field of study?
BANS also organises an ‘Autumn I look after the post-1700 collection at the British Museum, which includes coins,
Weekend’, which is similar in format but tokens, paper money, badges, credit cards and collection and badges, numbering
without any organised trips, just the talks, more than 150,000 objects. At times it can seem dauntingly large and diverse, but I
more time to relax and chat. These weekends have learned to appreciate this as its greatest strength. My most recent exhibition,
are organised centrally by the BANS The Currency of Communism, exemplifies the extraordinary range of narratives that
Committee and are usually held at the same can be explored using the modern money collection. It closes 18 March (Room 69a,
venue for about three years before moving free entry) – readers should hurry if they want to see it.
on elsewhere. Attendance at either of these
events is open to everyone, indeed, we would If you could pick one item in the
not receive the highly valued sponsorship and British Museum’s collections to describe,
support from the Museum, Mint and Trade which would it be and why?
sectors if it was either restricted or restrictive. In 2018, the centenary year of the Representation of
Promotion of these events is through its the People Act, it would have to be our ‘Votes for
member Societies and Clubs (35 at present), Women’ defaced penny. It symbolises the spirit of
on its website, by email via its database, by the suffragette movement – a violent act, albeit in
announcement at meetings, through the miniature form – against the authorities who refused
numismatic Press and supporting Trade to extend women the vote. See page 66 for feature.
literature, and by post to regular attenders.
What exhibitions and projects will
The BANS Spring Congress 2018 will you be involved in during 2018?
take place on 13 to 15 April 2018 at I am co-curating an exciting exhibition (opens 6
King Charles Hotel, Gillingham, Kent. September) that looks for subversive objects in the British Museum. These are objects
The event is being hosted by the Bexley that by some means challenge or mock dominant ideologies. I can’t say much more at
Coin Club, coinciding with the group’s present, but look out for press releases this summer.
fiftieth anniversary celebrations. For more
information contact Anthony Gilbert on Visit the Department of Coins and Medals at the British Museum, Great Russell Street, London,
email: [email protected] WC1B 3DG. Open daily 10am to 5.30pm (Fridays, open until 8.30pm). www.britishmuseum.org

Coin Collecting Magazine | 42 | www.coincollectingmagazine.com

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 THE BRITISH NUMISMATIST

VIKING HOARD
ON SHOW IN YORK
A selection from one of the most significant
Viking hoards ever discovered in this country
has gone on display at JORVIK Viking
INTRODUCING THE Centre in York, on loan from the Ashmolean

NORFOLK TOKEN PROJECT

Museum, writes Gareth Williams.
The display features 55 items from the
hoard, including jewellery, ingots, hack-silver
From 1649 until 1672, to remedy a and hack-gold (cut fragments of precious
nationwide shortage of small change, metal for use as bullion) and rare coins from
thousands of private traders and a number the reigns of Alfred the Great, king of Wessex
of town and city corporations had their own (871-99) and Ceolwulf II of Mercia (874-
token coinage produced, writes Dr Adrian 879). The two kings shared designs, moneyers
Marsden, Numismatist at Norfolk Historic and even a reform in silver quality, indicating
Environment Service. These 17th-century an otherwise unrecorded political and
tokens have become extremely collectable in monetary alliance. This is in marked contrast
recent years. This is not surprising; not only to surviving accounts written later in Alfred’s
are they charming pieces of 17th-century art in reign, which dismiss Ceolwulf as ‘a foolish
their own right but the issuers named on them king’s thegn’ and a puppet of the Vikings.
can often be traced in the historical records. Ceolwulf disappeared from history (we don’t
Although about 300 traders in Norfolk know what happened to him) around the
issued tokens in this period making it one time the hoard was buried, and Alfred quietly
of the most productive counties in the took over his former ally’s kingdom, so
kingdom, very little has been published history may have been re-written slightly to
on the county and almost no original research has been done on either the tokens or their suit Alfred’s political needs.
issuers. I decided to address this neglect of the Norfolk token series by setting up the The hoard was discovered by a metal
Norfolk Token project (NTP) in 2014. One of the first priorities was the publication of the detectorist near Watlington in Oxfordshire in
Norwich Castle Museum collection – this is available from the Norwich branches of the 2015 and acquired by the Ashmolean in 2017,
Norfolk Museums Service (£10 plus £4 p&p). with assistance from the Heritage Lottery Fund,
The NTP is also concerned with investigating the various aspects of token usage in Norfolk the Art Fund, and many individual donors.
and in particular with researching the stories behind the issuers. Already this has produced some The hoard appears alongside JORVIK
interesting results. For example, Stephen Tracey (pictured), a merchant of Great Yarmouth who Viking Centre’s own important collection
issued a token in the mid-1650s had earlier been a Pilgrim Father, spending about thirty years in of Viking coins, dies, trial pieces and
Massachusetts, New England, before returning to Yarmouth to set up as a merchant. weights. Although coins from the period
Another issuer, Augustine Briggs of Norwich, fought are comparatively common both in hoards
for King Charles in the Civil War of the 1640s. Although and as single finds, early medieval coin
this cost him his position on the Corporation at the time dies are exceptionally rare, but JORVIK
he was richly rewarded on the Restoration of Charles Viking Centre possesses both Anglo-
II in 1660, becoming Sheriff in that year and Mayor of Saxon and Viking dies, recovered during
Norwich in 1670. Portraits of him still survive, his fine the excavation of Viking buildings at
memorial stands in the church of St Peter Mancroft, and a Coppergate in York. The current exhibition
street in Norwich still bears his name. offers an opportunity to see a major
Although the issuers of most tokens did not lead quite Viking hoard alongside JORVIK’s unique
such eventful lives as Tracey and Briggs, every token can tell collection relating to Viking monetary
a story and, in the fullness of time, the NTP hopes to make history, as well as a wide range of Viking
each token do just that. material from the Coppergate excavations.

Find out more at: https://norfolktokenproject.wordpress.com Visit the JORVIK Viking Centre at
Read much more about British tokens in our introductiory Coppergate,York YO1 9WT.
guide to paranumismatics, on page 54. www.jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk

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 THE BRITISH NUMISMATIST

CONTINENTAL
STERLING IMITATIONS
In May 1299 the Statute of Stepney (Statutum de falsa moneta) was issued. This legislation
reiterated earlier bans on the import of foreign coin and prohibited the export of all silver coins, plate
and bullion. Additionally each port would have two wardens authorised to search for ‘pollards’ and
‘crockards’. But what were these clearly undesirable coins and why were they of such concern to
Edward I’s government? By Richard Kelleher, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge

F
rom about 1200 English silver
coins, which were made of good
quality silver, compared with
most other continental coins,
began to find favour as a trusted
‘international’ currency. That they travelled
is evidenced by their occurrence in hoards
and as single finds in many parts of Europe.
They are found in nearby France and the
Low Countries, but also in Germany, Italy,
the Balkans, Romania, Greece, Turkey, and
the Holy Land. Some of these finds were
undoubtedly the property of travellers or
1 Edward I silver penny, London mint
pilgrims, but the majority of them moved
as a relatively high-value silver currency
that was well suited for transactions on an
international stage. However, the popularity
of the English sterlings abroad had a
negative effect at home, and led inevitably
to government intervention. There had
been earlier episodes of imitation of the
English Short Cross (1180-1247) and Long
Cross (1247-79) pennies, particularly in
Westphalia and the Rhineland. These resulted
in government intervention, but it was the
sterling silver pennies of Edward I (1272-
1307) and Edward II (1307-27) that would
be most abused by imitation (figure 1).
2 Sterling imitation ‘crockard’ of John II of Avesnes
Why and where were the
imitations produced? (c.1280-99) comprised the coins known to I’s English pennies. The key differences
The imitative sterlings can be divided contemporaries as crockards and pollards. In lay in the treatment of the bust and the
into two broad periods. The first phase appearance they broadly resembled Edward inscription. The bust on the crockards was
devoid of a crown (not being the issue of a
king) and instead bore a circlet of roses. The
inscriptions name the issuer, so in some ways
these were not strictly counterfeit coins. They
give us the names of minor issuers like John
of Avesnes, count of Hainaut, Holland and
Zeeland (figure 2), Gui of Collemède, Bishop
of Cambrai, or Arnold V of Looz. The other
early group were the pollards, so named
because the bust was free of any headwear.
One of the more prolific of issuers of these
was Gui of Dampierre (figure 3). While the
vast majority of the early types were struck
in the Low Countries others are known from
3 Sterling imitation ‘pollard’ of Gui of Dampierre further afield in Norway and Germany.

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 THE BRITISH NUMISMATIST

The problem was recognised soon after

Edward I’s new style pennies appeared in
1279. In 1283 the first of a series of remedial
measures was taken when John de Bourne
was appointed with custody of the seaboard
at Dover, Sandwich and neighbouring ports
to confiscate foreign, clipped and counterfeit
coins. Problems in English currency had
been exacerbated by the export of good
weight and fineness English coins, plate and
jewels. Edward I’s heavy expenditure abroad
also probably led to a scarcity of money
in England and led non-English coins to
become more acceptable. The end of war 4 Gaucher of Châtillon, sterling imitation struck at Yves (1313-22)
with France and the coins brought back by
returning troops as well as the resumption
of the wool trade might all account for large
quantities of imitative sterlings in circulation
at the end of the 1290s. Estimates suggest
that between £300,000-£350,000 crockards
and pollards were converted into £240,000
English pennies following the Statue of
Stepney. At Christmas 1299 any surviving
coins were to pass at a halfpenny, before
they were demonetised the following Easter.
From April 1300 pollards and crockards were
demonetised in England, and continental
mints ceased their production, although this
was not the end of the problem. 5 Louis IV of Bavaria, Holy Roman Emperor, sterling imitation struck at Aachen (late 1320s)

The second wave of imitations in popular opinion – were the coins of John comprehensive modern classification which
A second wave of imitations appeared from the Blind of Luxemburg (1310-46) known is the foundation for the study of these
the 1310s, these were less obviously different at the time as ‘lusshebornes’ (figure 6). Near- coins. The popularity of metal-detecting
to the English coins, copying the crowned contemporary accounts derided them; Piers over the past thirty years has resulted
bust of the English king, and in some cases Plowman wrote ‘as in Lussheborwes is a in many thousands of these coins being
the legend too (figures 4 and 5). Measures lyther alay, and yet loketh he lyke a sterlynge; recovered, in hoards and also as single
were implemented to scrutinise the coinage the mark of that mone is good, ac the metal finds, making them a fairly common object
on at least six occasions between 1305 and is fieble’ a similar sentiment is expressed in for acquisition. This surge in new finds
1319, most being concerned with the export the Prologue to Chaucer’s Monk’s Tale. These also means that new varieties to Mayhew’s
of English silver and prohibitions against the coins were thought to contain only one-third classification are coming to light regularly.
use of foreign coins. Metal analyses show of the silver of the genuine article, although
that at least until 1320 the continental types only John’s very latest issues seem to dip to All coins are © Portable Antiquities Scheme
maintained a good standard, not falling below such a low standard.
the English, however after this date standards In 1983 Nick Mayhew surveyed the
did deteriorate. The most notorious – at least European hoard evidence and provided a

FURTHER READING
M Allen, Mints and Money in Medieval
England, Cambridge 2012

BJ Cook, ‘Foreign Coins in Medieval

England’, in L. Travaini (ed.), Local
Coins, Foreign Coins: Italy and Europe
11th-15th centuries, Milan 1999

NJ Mayhew, Sterling Imitations of

Edwardian Type, London 1983
6 John the Blind, sterling imitation, Luxemburg

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 THE BRITISH NUMISMATIST

DISCOVER
MARVELLOUS MITHRAEUM
The London Mithraeum, which sits seven metres below the modern-day City,
has finally returned to its original location after years on a car park roof! Paula Hammond
discovers why this incredible site should be on your numismatic radar

A
longside the spectacular, Can you tell us about any that
immersive Temple experience, are particularly notable?
the London Mithraeum’s old- We discovered one 1st century AD native
new home in the Bloomberg silver coin, minted in East Anglia – the
SPACE displays 600 of the 14,000 objects region that rose up in the Boudican revolt of
discovered on-site, from tablets recording AD 60-61. It has been pierced, perhaps to
Britain’s oldest financial transaction, to native be worn as a pendant. It could be a Roman
British coins. We spoke to the archaeologists trophy celebrating the suppression of the
from Museum of London Archaeology revolt. A copper-alloy coin hoard, discovered
(MOLA) to find out more… beneath a wickerwork ‘mat’ in a Roman
bakery, was also of interest. It was common
Can you tell us a little about the for Romans to incorporate objects into the
coins discovered? foundations of buildings for luck. All eight
We discovered 706 Roman coins, minted coins were copies of Claudian coins. Nero, his
between the late 2nd century BC and the successor, reformed the coinage so the person
late 4th century AD. The bulk date between who buried them may have been disposing of
the mid-1st and early-2nd century. So these coins that would soon be obsolete.
coins were used by the first generation of
Londoners. As a collection, they provide the What is the oldest coin?
clearest look we’ve ever had at the circulation A Republican silver denarius minted in 123
of money in early Roman London. BC by the moneyer C Porcius Cato. It has
THE LONDON
the head of Roma on one side and Victory MITHRAEUM
in a chariot drawn by two horses (a biga) on London Mithraeum is free to visit but
the other. It would have circulated for the bookings are required. It is located in
better part of 200 years before it was lost in the Bloomberg SPACE in the heart of
the Flavian period, c.AD 65-80. Republican the City of London, at 12 Walbrook,
silver coins often had a very long circulation London, EC4N 8AA.
life, because they were made from fairly good Email: [email protected]
quality silver that Roman soldiers preferred. Website: www.londonmithraeum.com

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 THE BRITISH NUMISMATIST

From left: David I Penny; Mary Queen of Scots Thirty-Shilling Piece; David II Noble

SCOTLAND’S OWN COINAGE

Jesper Ericsson introduces a new exhibition at The Hunterian in Glasgow

I
ssuing coinage is an important Scottish and English coinages. Scottish coins were struck during Oliver
symbol of a nation’s independence, Of all coins from this period, those of Cromwell’s Commonwealth and it was
status and power. Scotland struck James III (1460-88) issues were perhaps only after the restoration of Charles
its own coins for almost six the most dramatic of all, featuring II in 1660 that the mint in Edinburgh
centuries before the Act of Union with unicorns, with charging riders and a began production once more.
England created a British coinage in new style of depicting the king in a James VII/II was crowned in 1685 and
1707. Scotland’s Own Coinage explores three-quarters ‘renaissance’ portrait. The his Scottish issues were limited. In early
this unique story, with remarkable thistle was also depicted on a Scottish November 1688, William of Orange
examples of coins which have never been coin for the first time during this reign. invaded England with a Dutch army,
on public display before. At the opposite end of the numismatic forcing James to vacate the throne.
The Romans spread their coinage spectrum, the production of lesser value William and Mary’s coronation took
across the Empire from North Africa to debased silver coinage (billon) such as place the following year at Westminster
the Antonine Wall. Soldiers used these pennies, placks and bawbees increased. Abbey. Mary died in 1694, after which
coins, but Scots themselves bartered in Thanks to its separate currency and the last Scottish gold coinage made a
everyday life. Archaeological evidence ability to experiment, Scotland proved brief appearance. These pistoles and
indicates that Anglo-Saxon, Viking and itself far ahead of England in allowing half-pistoles were made from African
English coins also circulated before the more people to have access to and use gold dust brought back by the ill-fated
establishment of a Scottish coinage in coins in everyday life. Darien Company.
the 12th century. The coinages of Mary Queen of Scots Queen Anne (1702-14) oversaw the
The first king of Scots to issue coins (1542-67) display exquisite portraits, Act of Union in 1707 and the English
was David I (1124-53) in 1136, when new silver denominations, the ryal and and Scottish coinages were unified so
his forces captured the mint at Carlisle testoon, and include the last coins struck that values were the same north and
and nearby silver mines. For nearly outside Edinburgh. Upon her abdication south of the border once more. The last
200 years, the only denomination to be in 1567, Mary’s one-year-old son was Scottish coins struck under Anne were
struck across Scotland was the penny, proclaimed king and as James VI went on silver half-crowns and shillings in 1709.
which was accepted both north and to rule Scotland for 36 years, succeeding With their production, an extraordinary
south of the border. Elizabeth I as James I of England, era of Scottish numismatics came
David II (1329-71) introduced maintaining both thrones until his death quietly to an end.
Scotland’s first gold coin, the noble, in 1625. His coins are amongst the most
and new silver coins, including the spectacular of any Scottish monarch, Jesper Ericsson is a Curatorial Assistant
groat. During his reign, a reduction in featuring no less than nine separate at The Hunterian. With thanks to Dr
weight took place due to the difficulty coinages. His reign also saw the issue Donal Bateson, Curator of Coins and
of obtaining enough silver bullion. of the largest Scottish gold coin, the Medals, and Harriet Gaston.
This resulted in Edward III of England 20-pound piece; the saltire plack marked
decreeing that Scottish coins would no the last appearance of billon. Scotland’s Own Coinage is at The
longer be accepted as equal tender in Charles I’s tumultuous reign (1625- Hunterian, University of Glasgow,
England. Robert III (1390-1406) went 49) was defined by a series of brutal Gilbert Scott Building, University
on to institute debasement, the adding civil wars that saw the defeat of the Avenue, Glasgow, G12 8QQ;
of alloy to silver, which had the effect Royalist cause, the dissolution of the tel: 0141 330 4221; website:
of increasing the disparity between the monarchy and regicide in 1649. No www.gla.ac.uk/hunterian

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 BANKNOTES

THE BUCK
STARTS HERE
Richard Scott Morel, Curator, British Library Philatelic Collections, provides an
introduction to the early paper money from British Colonial America and the
material held at the British Library in London
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 1

1 2

T
he currency of the by any government in the western
United States is world. The remaining colonies
used globally in soon followed suit and by the mid-
addition to being a 18th century each had developed
national icon and international a sophisticated paper monetary
cultural symbol. Before the War system. Known as bills of credit
of Independence (1775-1783) they were essentially fiat currency
each of the thirteen colonies rather than notes which could
that eventually established the be exchanged for gold and silver.
United States were under British Depreciation of such notes could
colonial rule and all faced and did occur which was harmful
significant challenges regarding to British creditors, consequently
their monetary supply. During the the British Parliament passed a
17th and 18th centuries various number of Currency Acts to restrict
types of currency were used paper money issues to circumvent
as a medium of exchange. The the problem. These Acts, like the
official coinage was denominated 1765 Stamp Act, soured colonial
in pounds, shillings and pence, relations with Britain laying
however, as few British coins were the foundations for the War
available in America the colonies of Independence.
were compelled to rely upon The British Library possesses
foreign specie such as the Spanish five original notes, the earliest
Dollar that was much more freely being a thirty shillings bill issued
available and explains why the by the Colony of New Jersey on 3
United States eventually adopted 16 April 1764 printed by James
the dollar. On occasion there Parker depicted in images one
was even a shortage of dollars, and two.
forcing colonies to occasionally
use commodities like tobacco, The obverse face of the The design on the reverse face Previous page: ‘The council of the
beaver pelts and wampum beads as 1 note is bi-coloured being of the note is based upon a rulers, & the elders against the
a medium of exchange. Finally to printed in red and black inks. It security feature invented by tribe of ye Americanites.’ from The
tackle the shortage of currency the has a complex engraving of the Benjamin Franklin for the Westminster Magazine. A group of
colonies also issued paper money. Royal Coat of Arms whilst the 1737 New Jersey paper money men in the Hall of Commons, on
Since each colony was a self- lettering is in a variety of typefaces. issue. Franklin developed a the wall is a map labelled ‘North
governing settlement whose Theoretically the registration method of printing from leaf America’ which has burst into
administrators were answerable of the two ink colours, varied casts via a copper plate press for flames, in the foreground stands
to the British Crown, they each scripts and complexity of the transferring a sage leaf image Lord North passing banknotes to
printed their own paper money. armorial engraving would require onto the back of paper money a man probably on the ‘List of the
The first was the Province of considerable skill, time and money bills. Since a leaf is a unique King’s friends’ which extends from
Massachusetts Bay in 1690 four making the notes unprofitable to object it theoretically provided North’s pocket; on the right stands
years prior to the establishment of counterfeit. Being a denomination complex fingerprint for each bill Lord Mayor Wilkes pointing out
the Bank of England making it the insignia, the engraved half-sun on which would be impossible to North to another man who stands
first authorised paper money issued the note is another security feature. counterfeit accurately. on his left (Library of Congress)

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 BANKNOTES

THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT’S

CURRENCY ACTS SOURED
COLONIAL RELATIONS, LAYING
THE FOUNDATIONS FOR THE
WAR OF INDEPENDENCE

The second note depicted in ink bearing the arms of the Penn
2 the collection is a ten pound Family on special security paper
bill issued by the Colony of New which contains blue thread and
York on 16 February 1771 with mica flakes. Some of these bills
manuscript signatures of Theophylact bearing this date can contain the
Bache, Walter Franklin and A. signature of John Morton, a signer
Lott in addition to a unique serial of the Declaration of Independence.
number. Printed in black ink on
thin laid paper by Hugh Gaine, the The final bill is a twenty
ornamental upper border and arms
5 shillings note issued in
of New York depicted on the obverse Delaware on 1 January 1776 signed
face were actually engraved by Elisha in manuscript by John McKinly and
Gallaudet. Like other notes in the Boaz Manlove with a unique serial
collection there is a verbal warning number. The note was printed in
‘Tis death to counterfeit.’ Curiously, black ink by James Adams who had
following a spate of forgeries in 1773 once worked alongside Benjamin
the Colonial Authorities authorised Franklin in Philadelphia.
that images of the counterfeiters Comparison of these notes
hanging from the gallows could be to contemporary ones issued by
pasted onto the reverse face of the the Bank of England in Britain
4
notes to discourage forgers, but this shows they are arguably more
was never carried out. accomplished in terms of their
complex engraving, letterings, use of
5
The third note is a four dollar coloured inks and range of security
3 bill issued by the colony of features. Although less iconic than
Maryland on 10 April 1764 with the modern currency they do display
manuscript signatures of John the technical brilliance which helped
Clapham and William Eddis with a develop the United States into the
unique serial number. Information world’s leading economic power and
on designers, engravers and printing banknote printers.
of paper money is sporadic at
the best of times. However, since Images are taken from a volume
this note is known to have been containing a collection of paper money
printed by Anne Catherine Green (The British Library, c. 143.d.5)
and Frederick Green it offer a
rare glimpse of the role women
played in the Security Printing
Industry. Finally as an alternative
to watermarked paper this bill was
printed on thin paper containing FURTHER
mica flakes to help prevent forgery.
READING
This two shillings six pence The Early Paper Money of
4 bill issued by the colony America by Eric P. Newman (5th
of Pennsylvania on 3 April 1772 Ed, Krause Publications, 2008)
possesses the manuscript signatures
Benjamin Franklin and the Birth
of Adam Hubley, Joel Evans and of a Paper Money Economy
John Mifflin in addition to a unique by Farley Grubb (Reserve Bank
serial number. It was once again of Philadelphia, 2006)
5 printed by Hall and Sellers in black

Coin Collecting Magazine | 50 | www.coincollectingmagazine.com

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 GB BANKNOTES

EN
CIM
E
SP

BANKNOTES OF THE
BRITISH ISLES PART 1 – ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND
In the first of two articles providing an introduction to banknotes, Jonathan Callaway
examines each of the eleven British issuers and their notes, firstly looking at the notes
of the Bank of England and the three Scottish note issuing banks

F
Above, from left: a 1914 requent travellers around the you will probably not often see the numerous denominations from £5
example of a Bank of British Isles will be aware many other notes issued in Scotland, up to £1,000. The 18th-century
England White Note, printed there are numerous issuers Northern Ireland or our small island design scarcely changed before finally
in black on white paper, of sterling-denominated neighbours unless you live outside being withdrawn in 1957. Even
with a blank reverse; the banknotes alongside the Bank of England or Wales. the ‘Operation Bernhard’ forgeries
first Bank of England £1 England. No fewer than eleven, in of the Second World War failed to
note with the royal portrait fact. While Bank of England notes Bank of England persuade the Bank to replace them,
Below: Bank of England £20 circulate throughout the United The Bank of England’s note issues though they did withdraw the higher
note reverse with William Kingdom and are also regularly clearly dominate across the UK – with value notes from £10 to £1,000 as a
Shakespeare; the polymer £5 seen in the Crown Dependencies of about 90% of the £73bn total in precaution. The Nazis had hoped to
with Sir Winston Churchill Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man, circulation. All Scottish and NI issues destroy the UK economy by flooding
are fully backed by sterling cash and the market with their forgeries but
securities deposited at the Bank and this never happened. The bulk of
thus effectively guaranteed by them. the many surviving forgeries were
Bank of England notes were first retrieved from the bottom of an

EN issued when the Bank was founded Austrian lake after the war.

IM
in 1694, but they were not, as one Why did such a simple design last

EC might have expected, the first paper so long given the ever-present threat

SP money to have been issued in a

British territory – this prize belongs
of forgers? The answer seems to be
that the Bank felt that this simplicity
to the Colony of Massachusetts itself would ensure the public would
who beat the Bank by four years become familiar enough with the
to issue its own paper money in notes to spot any forgeries. There
Boston in 1690 (see our article on were also many hidden subtleties
US notes on page 48). in both the printed design and the
The Bank was not the sole issuer watermark to enable experts to pick
in England and Wales until 1921, out any dodgy ones.
when the last of the once numerous The Bank’s first ‘modern’ issues
small provincial banks gave up its appeared in 1928 in the form of a
note issue. Until 1928 all Bank of green £1 and a brown 10 shillings
England notes were printed in black note. These were in issue until 1960
on white paper, with blank reverses. although during the Second World
White Notes were issued in War the colours were changed to

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 combat the threat of forgeries, with designs have always been much
the brown 10/- changed to purple more varied and colourful than
and the £1 note blue and brown. the Bank of England’s, creating
In 1960 the Portrait Series notes huge scope for collectors seeking
began to be issued, the first to something different.
feature the Queen. At the same time designs tended
A new £5 note and a re-introduced to be very conservative and many
£10 note followed. In 1970 a new scarcely changed from Victorian
£20 note was issued, the first of times until the 1960s. For example,
many to carry a historical figure on from 1885 to 1969 all Bank of
the reverse. Who better than William Scotland notes used brown and
Shakespeare to start this new trend? yellow inks specially developed as
When a £50 note was added in hard to forge. The final use of this
1981 this had Sir Christopher Wren design was on a £20 note issued Bank of Scotland £20 note issued in 1969 but first designed in 1885
on the back. Other famous figures in 1969. It varied little from the
included Florence Nightingale 1885 version.
on the £10 note and the Duke of All Scottish notes of £5 and
Wellington on the fiver. The last ever upwards were known as ‘horse
£1 note featured Sir Isaac Newton blankets’ due to their large
and was in issue until 1988 when it dimensions (c.210 x 130mm) and
was replaced by a coin. banks only started to reduce the size
By 1990 the Bank felt it was time of their notes in the 1940s, mainly
to upgrade the security features and as a cost-saving measure. The Royal
bring in a new more mature portrait Bank was equally conservative and
of the Queen. This portrait was not its 1832 £1 note continued with size
greeted with universal enthusiasm and colour modifications until 1967.
but the Queen herself obviously liked This example is a ‘square’ £1 note,
it because it has appeared on every also a standard size (c.160 x 125mm)
one of the Bank’s notes since then, until the mid-late 1920s.
including the new polymer £5 and The Clydesdale Bank, founded in
£10 notes. The second Historical 1838, now has the largest circulation
Series began with a £20 note with Sir of the three surviving issuers and
Edward Elgar on the back. He was when they introduced their Famous Royal Bank of Scotland square £1 note from 1923
joined by Dickens and Elizabeth Fry, Scots series in 1971 they started a
only the second female to appear on trend which has since been followed
the notes. Finally the new polymer by both the Bank of Scotland and
notes feature Churchill on the fiver the Royal Bank, as seen in the 1972
and Jane Austen on the tenner. £5 note featuring Robert Burns, the
Scottish national poet.
Scotland’s notes Sir Walter Scott has featured on
Scotland’s banknote story is very Bank of Scotland notes since 1970
different. It started only one year – he was inherited from the British
after England’s when the Bank Linen Bank who had been bankers
of Scotland was formed in 1695. to the great man himself – while
When its bitter rival the Royal Bank the Royal Bank followed firstly
was founded in 1727 the two banks with Lord Ilay, their first Governor,
went on to dominate the Scottish in 1987, and much more recently Robbie Burns on a Clydesdale Bank £5 note from 1972
economy. In 1746 they were joined with the Scottish novelist and poet
by a linen manufacturer turned Nan Shepherd and scientist Mary
banker, the British Linen Company. Somerville who feature on their
Other banks came along but the new polymer £5 and £10 notes,
stability north of the border was in respectively. Another trend started by
sharp contrast to the situation to the Royal Bank in 1992 was to issue
the south. commemorative notes. They began
While only three issuers are left with a £1 note marking the European
north of the border, there were no Summit in Edinburgh in 1992 and
fewer than ten in 1900. The total went on to issue several more £1, £5,
reduced through amalgamations, £10 and £20 notes marking notable
culminating in 1970 when the events and anniversaries, such as the
British Linen was absorbed by the 2002 £5 note featuring images of
Bank of Scotland. Scottish banknote Queen Elizabeth. Royal Bank of Scotland note commemorating the Queen’s Golden Jubilee

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 TOKENS

1 2

AN INTRODUCTION TO

TOKEN COLLECTING
Token collector and specialist Mike Roberts provides an introduction to the ten series of tokens
which are most commonly encountered and are most popular with collectors as he encourages you
to consider ‘paranumismatics’ as a possible collecting field

O
Above, from left: nce upon a time, will quickly become apparent that from the North Yorkshire town
a 17th-century halfpenny collectors of most of the tokens I have selected to of Whitby. A halfpenny token
token from Whitby and tokens were looked illustrate this article were issued in of Henry Sneaton of Flowergate
a Leeds halfpenny of 1793 down on as the Yorkshire. As with many collectors, is dated 1667 and takes as its
poor relations of I concentrate on the part of the design three ammonites, the
serious numismatists. Certainly, it country I know best. Accordingly, I principal feature of the arms of
was possible, until perhaps twenty do not collect Hop Tokens, but this Whitby (figure 1). This is one of
years ago, to find some dealers who is more than compensated for by the commoner tokens issued in
threw most of the tokens which Co-op checks and tokens associated Yorkshire. An example in very fine
came their way into ‘junk boxes’ with the woollen industry. condition would probably cost
for the poor urchins who knew We should probably begin at the about £40.
Below: a penny of the no better to rummage through. end of the 12th century when lead The issue of farthings and
Union Copper Company of Although those days have now pieces, with emblems and pictorial halfpennies by Charles II in 1672
Birmingham, countermarked gone, bargains are still there to be designs, were circulating alongside solved the problem of the lack of
for use in Keighley, and a 4/- had and interesting collections can the regal coinage. Perhaps in some small change and the local tokens
piece from Bath, dated 1811 be formed for a modest outlay. It way associated with pilgrimages, it is quickly disappeared. All went
assumed that they passed for small well for over a century but, as the
change and lead pieces continue to Industrial Revolution changed the
appear in hoards for the next few face of the United Kingdom, the
hundred years. neglect of the circulating medium,
It was neglect of coinage for both in silver and base metal,
low value everyday transactions resulted in the three best known
by government which led to the series of British tokens appearing
vast issue of local token money between about 1790 and 1814.
in the third quarter of the 17th A sizeable numismatic library can
century. Throughout England and be formed relating to the reign of
3 Wales, local butchers, bakers and George III. I shall attempt to deal
tallow chandlers issued farthings, with the vast issues of tokens in
halfpennies and, occasionally, three paragraphs.
pennies in brass or copper. It is Known as ‘Conders’ by collectors
thought that maybe some 20,000 in USA (James Conder, as well as
different tokens were issued. In issuing his own tokens, compiled
London, there were perhaps 4,000 the first published catalogue of the
issuers. A large market town, such series) these late 18th-century tokens
as Colchester in Essex, boasts some are usually halfpennies, sometimes
eighty examples. As a representative farthings, and occasionally pennies.
of these 17th-century tokens I As representative of the series I
4 have chosen one of the five issuers have chosen a Leeds halfpenny of

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 1793 (figure 2). Henry Brownbill
was a watchmaker and silversmith
in Briggate. His token depicts
Bishop Blaize, the patron saint of
woolcombers on the obverse and
a splendid representation o the
city’s cloth hall on the reverse. It is
a common token and in very fine
condition should cost no more
than £10. What is fascinating about
this series, however, is that the vast
majority of them were not in fact
legitimate trade tokens, issued by a
named individual or company, and
promising that their value would 5
be honoured. Instead, many were
speculative pieces, with no specific A farthing token from four years from 1810. I have chosen radar) would have been able to find
named issuer and many more were Sheffield, featuring a portrait an example of a penny of the Union books (all then out of print) on each
simply advertising pieces, political of Queen Victoria and, on the Copper Company of Birmingham of these four series. Beyond that
propaganda or struck for collectors obverse, an advertisement which has been countermarked for there were all sorts of things which
(yes, even in the 1790s, there was for a local company use in Keighley (figure 3). Originally vaguely looked like coins but did
a mania for new issues, with rare thought to have been issued for use not appear in any of the coin books.
combinations of obverse, reverse and in the local Workhouse, the most The first of these are unofficial
edge lettering struck in exotic metals likely scenario is that a small group farthings which did, to an extent,
selling for a premium). of local businessmen (with the circulate as currency. It must be
The issue of Cartwheel pennies initials JM, GR and WW, which remembered that the issue of tokens
and twopences in 1797 and the appear on some of the tokens) were was prohibited in 1817. However,
three denominations in copper responsible. An example of the basic from perhaps 1820 onwards, there
in 1806 and 1807 curtailed the Birmingham penny in Very Fine were periodic shortages of small
issue of private tokens; but not condition should cost no more than change, particularly in the early
for long. Put very simply, the base about £10. A Keighley piece sold 1850s. Accordingly, pieces the
metal coinage was again in a poor recently on an internet site for a approximate size of farthings, struck
state as the second decade of the little more than £30. in copper, brass and bronze, began
19th century began. Spectacularly Alongside their copper cousins, to appear, often with Victoria’s head
fluctuating metal prices resulted in a series of 19th-century silver on one side and an advertisement on
much of the recently issued copper tokens appear. There are indeed the other. I have chosen a piece from
coinage being melted down, and some issuers who produced tokens Sheffield (figure 5, James Vallance
then a fall in its value meant a profit in both metals. A few of the silver Bellamy, Provision Merchant) as
could be had by striking tokens. The token issuers were also partners in typical of the series. Examples of
early 19th-century copper tokens provincial banks which produced these farthing tokens are available in
are, in terms of design, thoroughly notes. Once again the reason for very fine condition for very modest
dull in comparison with their late the issue of sixpences, shillings, and sums; rarities probably now change
18th-century counterparts. They sometimes higher denominations, hands for about £50 each.
are industrial and utilitarian in was the complete lack of circulating And so to the dark side; the
appearance, became worn very silver coinage (the last significant wonderful world of paranumismatics!
quickly, and were not collected at Certain tokens require attempt was in the reign of There are all sorts of things out there,
the time. Pennies were by far the a great deal of (thirst- George II). The Bank of England described variously as tokens, tickets,
most popular denomination, but far quenching) research, such as countermarked Spanish and other tallies, passes, checks, ISGs, evasions,
fewer issuers participated and the this pub check from the Star dollars from 1797, but fluctuating or simply numismatic filth, but
series is dated to a period of about Inn near Huddersfield bullion prices resulted in them either beauty lies in the eye of the beholder
being hoarded in the expectation of (personally counting the number of
prices rising, or melted down once leaves on the wreath of the obverse of
they had. The solution was local a bun penny leaves me cold, but each
tokens containing, on average, about to his own). A name, a location and
9d worth of silver to the shilling. access to a late 19th-century local
For once, I have selected a non- trade directory can bring the most
Yorkshire piece; a Bath 1811 4/- of unpromising metal disk to life. In no
Samuel Whitchurch and William particular order, here are five of the
Dore (figure 4). most popular paranumismatic series.
A collector fifty years ago (about We have to begin with
6
the time tokens first crossed my pub checks, simply because

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 TOKENS

11 ...

12/13

14 ...

7 8 9
15 ...
From left: a Co-op check for most paranumismatists of my pence each), checks from some small whilst others may refer to a single
9d; a mine check used to acquaintance are also fully paid up rural societies have been known to journey, possibly to from or between
16 ...
keep account of the miner’s members of CAMRA and research change hands at £50 a go. Co-op locations. Local authorities and public Edwa
whereabouts; and a transport is the name of the game. A whole checks invariably simply name the bodies would sometimes issue passes
token used on the tramways thesis could be written on pub checks Society and bear a denomination or tokens to their staff either for 17 ...
of Halifax (indeed one has been) but basically, of anything from a farthing to five individual journeys or permanent use.
for many and varied reasons, often to pounds (see figure 7). These were In some instances, bulk purchases
attract business and find ways around given as receipts to members for of tokens in advance would result 18 ...
the legislation relating to gambling purchases and periodically the society in discounted fares for the traveller.
on licensed premises, base metal would declare a dividend. At this As with many of the pieces I have
checks featuring the name of the pub point accumulated tokens would be described in this article, part of the 19 ...
and/or the landlord on the obverse handed in and exchanged for goods. fun of collecting is in trying to work
and a denomination, usually 1½d Various abuses crept in and metal out how a particular piece was used.
20 ...
or 2d, on the reverse, were issued tokens were gradually replaced by There may be clues on the token Conte
throughout England and Wales, membership numbers and a book- itself or in contemporary literature,
during and slightly beyond Victoria’s keeping system. Some co-ops also but often we are forced to rely on
reign. I’ve chosen a Huddersfield sold pre-payment tokens for bread educated guesswork.
piece, the Star Inn at Fenay Bridge and milk which could be left out for Finally we come to admission
(figure 6), simply because for many the milkman overnight. tickets. Once again this covers a
years it was my local (research!). A Every collector looking through multitude of sins, if you count the
common pub check should cost no a dealer’s box at a coin fair will have theatre, football matches (figure 10),
more than the price of a pint. Two or come across a brass piece, usually parks and recreation grounds, and
more fanatics bidding on an internet about the size of a florin or halfcrown, horse racing as the devil’s work. In
site who simply must have a newly bearing the name of a limited many cases these tickets or passes
discovered piece have been known company or factory. There will be a were in effect season tickets and
to pay in excess of £100 for a unique hole strategically placed as if to hang were sometimes numbered, either
piece of local history. it on a hook. This will be either a tool to identify the owner or perhaps
Pub checks were in use throughout check or a pay check (figure 8). It is designate his seat at a particular venue,
the Victorian era, which also saw sometimes impossible to decide which or, in the case of more up market
the birth and rapid development category such a piece, which may locations, would be engraved with the
of the co-operative movement. often be stamped or engraved with a owner’s name. It is a very satisfying
Collecting Co-op checks has become unique number, falls into. Their uses experience to hold a piece of metal
increasingly popular over the last were many and various, but basically upon which is engraved a name, to
An admission ticket few years and whilst very common were part of an internal accounting research the owner’s identity, and to
from Sheffield Wednesday pieces cost very little (Royal Arsenal, system to ensure that tools and read in a local newspaper a review of a
Football Club for example, fail to sell at a few equipment were returned to a central function he has attended or a relevant
location after use and that employees match report.
received the correct wage at the end of Of necessity this has been the
the week. Similar checks were used in a perfunctory overview of token
mines. They were issued in pairs; one collecting. Many of the more esoteric
kept permanently in the office and the series have not been mentioned
duplicate issued to the collier when he here, but hopefully the vast range
went underground. of what is out there to collect may
Tokens for use on trains, trams, have become more apparent. I will
buses and ferries can be generically continue to share my enthusiasm
described as transport tokens (figure for the wonderful world of
10 9). Some have a cash value stated, paranumismatics in future issues.

Coin Collecting Magazine | 56 | www.coincollectingmagazine.com

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 Simon Willis Coins
Welcome please visit our coin website! You can find a
summary of the current coins for sale and we aim to
update it on a regular basis.
• We deal with quality hammered and early
milled British coins, having good eye appeal and
provenances for the most part.

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Simon Willis Coins.indd 1 13/02/2018 15:56

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T100 Years ago, the first tank-to-tank battle took place at the
his year the Royal Air Force commemorates 100 years of defence
of the Britain’s skies helping keep our country safe.
Battle of Villers-Bretonneux, when three advancing A7Vs
Post Order
Post Order Form
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to: British
BritishNumismatic
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Treasury, FREEPOST
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Cornwall, PL24 2SQ

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markand engaged
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major event in our Mark IV tanks.
nation’s history we are
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offering you an unique silver-plated RAF Centenary Coin. www.bnt.org.uk/1731152
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Treasury ACTIVITYCODE:
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centre in raised text is 100
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BNT - TANKS.indd 1 16/02/2018 09:05

Coin Collecting Magazine | 57 | www.coincollectingmagazine.com

p57_ccissue1.indd 57 26/02/2018 13:04

 COIN STORY
COIN In 1943, the US issued a series of steel Lincoln cents which have since
STORY become a collector’s favourite, despite the fact that a cool billion were minted.
Paula Hammond tells the story of steel cent and its enduring popularity

A STEELY RESERVE
T
he Lincoln cent has been in circulation since 1909
and although it bears possibly one of the most
famous portraits of the sixteenth President, it was
actually commissioned by the 26th, Roosevelt,
to mark the centenary of Lincoln’s birth. Teddy was a huge
admirer of Lincoln and handpicked Victor David Brenner
to engrave the now iconic portrait after seeing a plaque of
Lincoln that the sculptor has made some years earlier.
Originally this new coin was struck using 95 percent
copper. However, during World War Two the demand for
copper in the munitions industry resulted in a change in
production from copper to steel-coated zinc. The 1943 steel
cent, or steelies as they became known, were minted by the
billion but problems cropped up almost immediately. They
couldn’t be used in vending machines which were routinely
fitted with magnets to detect anyone trying to use washers
in place of genuine coins. The galvanisation was poor and,
if the coating didn’t wear off, it started to rust. Even in mint
condition, the public hated them because they were too easy
to confuse with dimes. Yet, despite the poor reception that
steelies had at the time, they’ve never been more popular in
collecting circles.
Lincoln coins come in many varieties – some very rare
and extremely valuable. For instance, when the coins were
first issued, Brenner’s initials (VDB) were considered to be
too large. Around 484,000 were minted before Brenner’s
initials were removed and should you be lucky enough find
one then, in good condition, it’s worth around $800.
That’s small potatoes compared to the 1943 copper
Lincoln. Around forty were mistakenly struck on a copper
planchet by the Philadelphia Mint and, so far, only fifteen
have ever been found. Making their current market value
around $200,000.
But the daddy of them all is another error – a 1943
bronze Lincoln – this time issued by the San Francisco
Mint. Only four have ever been found and one sold in
2012 for a whopping $1 million.
Compared to this, steelies aren’t going to break any
auction records. A circulated example is worth face
value or less. Uncirculated, you might make $10 on a
good day. Despite this, if you collect US coins, then the
humble steelie is a must-have item. It’s not just about
completionism. The steelie is unique. Steelies aren’t going to
It was the first US issued coin to carry a portrait.
To date, it is the only US circulating coin that doesn’t break any auction records,
contain copper. In fact even bullion coins, such as Silver
and Gold Eagles, have small amounts of copper in them
but they’re must-have
(0.07 percent and 5.33 percent). It is the only US coin
to be magnetic. But its real appeal is, perhaps, not what
items. It’s not just
it is but what it stands for. This little coin comes from a about completionism.
different world. A world at war where even little things, like
the coins in your pocket, couldn’t be taken for granted. The steelie is unique.

Coin Collecting Magazine | 58 | www.coincollectingmagazine.com

p58 Coin story.indd 58 26/02/2018 11:35

 Victoria Proof Crown 1853

Estimate $30,000-40,000

The North Yorkshire Moors

Collection of British Coins
formed by Marvin Lessen
Part I
Wednesday 25 April 2018, 13:00

www.dnw.co.uk
DIX 16 Bolton Street Mayfair Telephone +4420 7016 1700
NOONAN London
Telephone +44W1J
020 8BQ
7016 1700 Fax +44 Fax 7016
020 +44 20 7016
1799 1799
Email [email protected]
England UK Email [email protected]
WEBB 68 Coin Collecting Magazine

p68_ccissue1.indd 68 21/02/2018 15:31

 SCARCITY INDEX
50p

SCARCITY INDEX
COIN
Kew Gardens
Football
Judo
Wrestling

50P AND £2 COINS

Triathlon
Tennis
Goalball
Sailing
Handball
Shooting
Wheelchair Rugby

Each quarter Change Checker publishes a ‘scarcity index’ tracking Taekwondo

Gymnastics

which circulating 50p and £2 coins are the most scarce and Rowing
Pentathlon
Table Tennis
collectable. The index uses a unique combination of mintage, Hockey
Basketball

collecting and swap data to give the most up-to-date picture of Jemima Puddle-Duck
Cycling

today’s modern coin collecting market, as our exclusive insight reveals Weightlifting
Badminton
Fencing
Equestrian
50p coins Suffragettes
Volleyball
The mintage figures for the 2017 50p coins Canoeing
were released just before Christmas and have Tom Kitten
Athletics
had an effect on the Scarcity Index scores, writes Boxing

Luke Hearn. Interestingly, the Sir Isaac Newton Aquatics

Boccia
50p only scores a 3/100 which is lower than Benjamin Bunny
WWF
anticipated. This is mainly due to the large Archery
number of Change Checkers who list having NHS
UK entry to EEC
the coin in their collection. However, we are Sir Isaac Newton

expecting this score to increase during the next Benjamin Britten

Commonwealth Games
quarter due to the low mintage figure, of just 1.8 Squirrel Nutkin
Battle of Britain
million, driving demand. Scouts

Jemima Puddle-Duck remains the most Girl Guides

Ironside
scarce Beatrix Potter 50p, with Tom Kitten and Roger Bannister

Benjamin also scoring quite highly with a score of 2016 Peter Rabbit
2017 Peter Rabbit
13 and 7 respectively. Tom Kitten and Benjamin much more challenging than a more recent issue, Battle of Hastings
Beatrix Potter
Bunny were only released into circulation in as coins become damaged over time and are Britannia

December so requests for swaps are high. Mintage ultimately removed from circulation. Dictionary
Libraries
figures for these coins are also relatively high so Additionally, some designs are more hoarded Mrs Tiggy-Winkle

as more people find these coins in their change than others by people who might not normally Royal Arms
Team GB
it is possible these scores will decrease slightly. collect coins – the recent poignant First World Victoria Cross: Medal
Victoria Cross: Heroic Acts
Interestingly, the mintage figure for the Jeremy War £2 coin series being an example. Finally, it
Fisher 50p coin has been released, however the can be up to a couple of years before the Royal £2
coin is not yet in circulation. Mint eventually confirms the actual mintage COIN
Coin Commonwealth Games Wales
for an issue. That’s why Change Checker have Commonwealth Games NI

£2 coins combined the mintage information with two Commonwealth Games Eng
Commonwealth Games Scot
The Commonwealth Games Wales £2 coin other key pieces of information: London 2012 Handover
Olympic Handover
takes top spot from the Commonwealth Games • How many of each design are listed as First World War Centenary (Navy)
Northern Ireland. This is down to the very large ‘collected’ by Change Checkers, indicating Olympic Centenary
King James Bible
number of swap requests for this coin in the last the relative ease of finding a particular coin. Mary Rose

quarter. At 99/100 the Northern Ireland coin is • The number of times a design has been London Underground Roundel
London Underground Train
still very scarce (as are the other two coins in the requested as a swap over the previous Magna Carta
Shakespeare Comedies
Commonwealth Games series) and it’s very possible three months, showing the current level of Robert Burns

it will retake the number one spot next time. collector demand. Guinea
Great Fire of London
We are still waiting for the Jane Austen and Importantly, as new coins are released and Shakespeare Tragedies

WWI Aviation £2 coins to be released into popularity rises and falls across different designs DNA
Darwin
circulation, hence why they do not feature on the Scarcity Index will be updated quarterly Rugby World Cup
Wireless Transmission
our Index. We await the release of these and their allowing Change Checkers to track the relative Steam Locomotive

mintage figures with great interest, could they be performance of the UK’s circulation coins. Shakespeare Histories
Britannia
low like the Sir Isaac Newton 50p? It is possible. Trinity House

How much are my coins worth? Gunpowder Plot

First World War Centenary (Army)
How the Scarcity Index works The Scarcity Index does not necessarily equate to First World War Centenary (Kitchener)
60th Anniversary of the end of WWII
Generally collectors have had to rely upon value but it is certainly an effective indicator. For Abolition of Slavery

mintage figures to identify the scarcest coins. example, the Kew Gardens 50p coin commands a Act of Union
Brunel
But they only tell part of the story. Trying to premium of up to 160 times face value on eBay. Charles Dickens
Florence Nightingale
find a good quality coin from fifteen to twenty Paddington Station
years ago, even for a higher mintage issue, is Find out more at: blog.changechecker.org Technology

Coin Collecting Magazine | 60 | www.coincollectingmagazine.com

p60 scarcity index.indd 60 26/02/2018 11:47

 Jon Mann - Numismatist

Specializing in the British and Irish hammered coinage of the 7th-17th centuries, I
aim to provide a more informed approach to coin dealing. From specialist collectors
to the curious beginner, my clients all know that when they buy from me they are in
good hands. If you want to fill gaps in your collection or begin collecting hammered
coins then please do get in touch or visit my website for more information. History
and numismatics are not just my business but my passion.

♰ Receive friendly and knowledgeable advice from an experienced numismatist

♰ Catering for all levels of collecting experience
♰ A range of hammered coinage available both on and off the website
♰ Research and ticketing services available
♰ Commission selling opportunities
♰ Attending all major UK coin fairs

[email protected] @JMNUMISMATIST
W: WWW.JONMANNCOINS.COM T: 07733214149
61 Coin Collecting Magazine

p61_ccissue1.indd
Jon Mann .indd 1 61 23/02/2018
23/02/2018 14:23
12:49
 NEW ISSUES

NEW COINS
Your comprehensive guide to the latest new coins from around the world

AUSTRALIA Diameter: 38.6 mm Metal: 99.99% pure silver

Weight: 28.28 gms Mintage: 10,000
Anzac Day - Lest We Forget Metal: Unc. Cupro Nickel Mint: Royal Canadian Mint
Denomination: $1 Mintage: 10,000 Website: www.mint.ca
Diameter: 30.6 mm Mint: Pobjoy Mint
Weight: 13.5 gms Website: www.pobjoy.com Paw Prints on the Edge: Wolf
Metal: Aluminium Bronze Denomination: $20
Mintage: Unlimited The Coconut Crab Diameter: 38 mm
Mint: The Perth Mint Golden Brown Titanium - £2 Weight: 31.39 gms
Website: www.perthmint.com.au Denomination: £2 Metal: 99.99% pure silver
Diameter: 36.1 mm Mintage: 5,500
Weight: 10 gms Mint: Royal Canadian Mint
Metal: Titanium Website: www.mint.ca
Mintage: 7,500
Mint: Pobjoy Mint
Website: www.pobjoy.com

The Coconut Crab

Unc. Cupro Nickel - £2
Denomination: £2
Diameter: 38.6 mm
Weight: 28.28 gms
Metal: Unc. Cupro Nickel
Mintage: 10,000
Mint: Pobjoy Mint
BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY Website: www.pobjoy.com

The Manta Ray BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS FINLAND

Dark Blue Titanium £2
Denomination: £2 Archipelago & Wildlife Zacharias Topelius 200 Years
Diameter: 36.1 mm Denomination: $10 Denomination: €10
Weight: 10 gms Diameter: 38.6 mm Diameter: 28.5 mm
Metal: Titanium Weight: 28.28 gms Weight: 10 gms
Mintage: 7,500 Metal: Proof Sterling Silver Metal: 50% Silver
Mint: Pobjoy Mint Mintage: 2,000 Mintage: 8,000
Website: www.pobjoy.com Mint: Pobjoy Mint Mint: Mint of Finland
Website: www.pobjoy.com Website: www.suomenrahapaja.fi/eng

Denomination: $1 Sámi Culture

Diameter: 38.6 mm Denomination: €10
Weight: 28.28 gms Diameter: 28.5 mm
Metal: Cupro Nickel Weight: 10 gms
Mintage: 10,000 Metal: Ag 500
Mint: Pobjoy Mint Mintage: 8,000
Website: www.pobjoy.com Mint: Mint of Finland
Website: www.suomenrahapaja.fi/eng
CANADA
FRANCE
Star Trek™: The Next Generation - Pure
Silver Coloured Coin The Sower: 1793 Ecu de 6 Livres
The Manta Ray Denomination: $10 Denomination: €10
Unc. Cupro Nickel £2 Diameter: 34 mm Diameter: 37 mm
Denomination: £2 Weight: 15.87 gms Weight: 22.2 gms

Coin Collecting Magazine | 62 | www.coincollectingmagazine.com

p62 New Issues.indd 62 26/02/2018 12:44

 EVENTS GUIDE
Buying coins online or via auction is a great way to build your collection, but
nothing beats attending fairs, meeting coin traders face to face, and seeing
the coins, tokens, banknotes and medals for yourself. Why not visit one of the
following events in the coming months?

Metal: 90% Silver MARCH 2018 JUNE

Mintage: 3,000
Mint: Monnaie de Paris 11 MARCH 2 JUNE
Website: www.monnaiedeparis.fr BIRMINGHAM LONDON
Midland Coin Fair, National Motorcycle London Coin Fair, Holiday Inn,
GREECE Museum, Bickenhill, Birmingham, B92 Coram Sreet, London WC1N 1HT;
0EJ; www.coinfairs.co.uk www.coinfairs.co.uk
International Year of Sustainable Tourism
for Development 16 - 17 MARCH 10 JUNE
Denomination: €6 HARROGATE BIRMINGHAM
Diameter: 28.5 mm Harrogate Coin Fair, Old Swan Hotel, Midland Coin Fair, National Motorcycle
Weight: 10 gms Swan Road, Harrogate, HG1 2SR; Museum, Bickenhill, Birmingham,
Metal: 92.5% Sterling Silver www.simonmonks.com B92 0EJ; www.coinfairs.co.uk
Mintage: 1,500
Mint: Bank of Greece 25 MARCH 24 JUNE
Website: www.bankofgreece.gr WAKEFIELD WAKEFIELD
Cedar Court Hotel, Denby Dale Rd, Cedar Court Hotel, Denby Dale Rd,
IRELAND Calder Grove, Wakefield, WF4 3QZ Calder Grove, Wakefield, WF4 3QZ

Gulliver’s Travels APRIL JULY

Denomination: €15
Diameter: 38.61 mm 7 APRIL 7 JULY
Weight: 28.28 gms CARDIFF LONDON
Metal: 92.5% Sterling Silver City Hall, Cardiff, CF10 3ND London Coin Fair, Holiday Inn,
Mintage: 2,000 www.glennogdencoins.com Coram Sreet, London WC1N 1HT;
Mint: Mayer Mint www.coinfairs.co.uk
Website: www.mayermint.com 8 APRIL
BIRMINGHAM 8 JULY
Midland Coin Fair, National Motorcycle BIRMINGHAM
Museum, Bickenhill, Birmingham, Midland Coin Fair, National Motorcycle
B92 0EJ; www.coinfairs.co.uk Museum, Bickenhill, Birmingham,
B92 0EJ; www.coinfairs.co.uk
MAY
20 - 21 JULY
13 MAY YORK
BIRMINGHAM York Racecourse, York, YO23 1EX
Midland Coin Fair, National Motorcycle http://stampshows.net
Museum, Bickenhill, Birmingham,
B92 0EJ; www.coinfairs.co.uk 29 JULY
WAKEFIELD
27 MAY Cedar Court Hotel, Denby Dale Rd,
USA WAKEFIELD Calder Grove, Wakefield, WF4 3QZ
Cedar Court Hotel, Denby Dale Rd,
2018 America the Beautiful – Pictured Calder Grove, Wakefield, WF4 3QZ
Rocks National Lakeshore
Denomination: $1 All dates and venues are correct at the time of going to press.
Diameter: 24.3 mm Please check details with the event organisers before attending.
Weight: 5.67 gms
Metal: .999 fine silver Keep up to date with the latest coin events, and add your fair dates
Mintage: 20,000 to our online diary on our website, just visit:
Mint: US Mint
Website: www.usmint.gov www.coincollectingmagazine.com
Coin Collecting Magazine | 63 | www.coincollectingmagazine.com

p62 New Issues.indd 63 26/02/2018 12:44

 CLASSIFIED ADS FORM
SELL
YOUR COINS!
We will be introducing a classified section in the next issue of Coin
Collecting Magazine. It couldn’t be easier to place your advertisement,
just follow the steps below and reach an audience of thousands.
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Step 2 To insure that your advert is inserted into the correct section of the Classified Ads,
please tick the appropriate category below:

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p105_scmnov2014.indd 104 30/09/2014 15:49

 BACK TO BASICS
Coin information every collector needs…

COIN GLOSSARY
Ten terms you need to know
Coin calendar
BU
Acronym for Brilliant Uncirculated. BU coins are a higher 650BC
standard than circulating and bullion coins, but not as high The world’s first coins are thought
quality as ‘proof ’ coins. to originate from Lydia, an Iron Age
kingdom in what is now known as
Cameo Turkey. These coins were an alloy of
A clear contrast between the foreground ‘devices’ (design gold and silver known as electrum.
elements) and the background (or ‘field’) of a coin. Our cover image depicts King
Proof coins often exhibit this feature, with the reflective 1672 William I ‘The Conqueror’ by
background contrasting with the frosty devices. The year Britannia was reintroduced Unknown artist, oil on panel, 1597-
to British coinage at the request of 1618, and is used with permission
Dump Charles II, having not appeared on from the National Portrait Gallery,
An Australian term for the centre of the the coins of Britain since Roman with thanks to Neil Evans.
holey dollar with a value of fifteen pence. times. The symbol of Britain, often
In early Australian colonies, the middle of used to reflect the nation’s maritime © National Portrait Gallery, London
Spanish dollars were punched out, creating strength, has appeared on GB coins
two parts, a ‘dump’ and a ‘holey dollar’. ever since.

Fasces 1909 ADVERTISER

From the Latin word fascis, meaning ‘bundle’. A symbol The first Lincoln cent was issued INDEX
of strength through unity often found on Roman coins, in the USA. The coin featured a
consisting of a bound bundle of rods and an axe. portrait of President Lincoln, who
would have marked his 100th Arrowfile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
Flan birthday in 1909. The coin was Baldwin’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2, 39
The blank piece of metal before any design has been struck. designed by Victor David Brenner.
British Numismatic Treasury . . .4, 40
Also known as ‘blank’ or ‘planchet’. In February 2017, a 1909-S VDB
Lincoln cent was sold for $175,000 B&G Coins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Grade by Heritage Auctions. Change Checker . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
The condition of a coin. Grades range from Poor (Po) to
Chard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Brilliant Uncirculated (BU).
Chris Rudd. . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 32, 33
Holey dollar Colin Cooke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
An Australian term for the larger
dollar coin with a hole in the centre Dix Noonan Webb . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
London & Midlands Coin Fairs . . . . 40
ASK THE
used in early Australian colonies.
The middle of Spanish dollars were Jon Mann Numismatist . . . . . . . . .61
punched out, creating two parts, a
‘dump’ and a ‘holey dollar’. Also see ‘dump’, above.
EXPERTS… MJ Promotions Fairs . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Do you have a mystery coin you Numismatic Guaranty Corp . . . . . .14
Mule would like to have identified? Peter Nichols Cabinet . . . . . . . . . . .6
A coin struck from two different dies which were not Would you like to ask the advice of
intended to be used together, producing a coin with obverse a professional numismatist? Send in Pobjoy Mint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
and reverse designs not normally seen on the same piece. your query (together with a high- Prinz Publications. . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
resolution scan of the relavnt coin) Rob Davis Cabinets . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Relief and we’ll aim to include the answers
Part of the design raised above the surface of the coin. Those to your questions in future issues Simon Willis Coins. . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
elements which go lower than the surface are ‘incuse’. of CCM. Just email your query to: Sovereign Rarities . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
[email protected]
M Veissid & Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Uniface
A one-sided coin, with the design only struck on one side. Warwick & Warwick . . . . . . . . . . .57
WOPA-plus.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67

Coin Collecting Magazine | 65 | www.coincollectingmagazine.com

p65_ad index.indd 65 26/02/2018 12:45

 CHANGING TIMES

THE SUFFRAGETTE PENNY

An ordinary British penny of Edward VII was made extraordinary by a simple act of vandalism,
writes Tom Hockenhull, Curator of Modern Money at the British Museum

S
tamped in crude lettering across the
head of the king is the phrase ‘VOTES
FOR WOMEN’, the slogan of the
suffragette movement. The deliberate
targeting of the king, as constitutional
monarch and head of the Church of England,
could be likened to iconoclasm, a direct
assault on the male authority figures that were
perceived to be upholding the laws of the
country. As Neil MacGregor wrote in A History
of the World in 100 Objects, ‘this coin stands for
all those who fought for the right to vote’.
The British Museum’s was minted in 1903
and circulated for ten years before it was
defaced, in either late-1913 or early 1914. It
was said at the time that the suffragettes had
copied the practice from anarchists, who were
defacing similar coins with the phrase ‘Vive
l’Anarchie’. Precisely how many were defaced
is unknown but several other examples are
known to exist besides the British Museum’s
‘Votes for Women’ coin. Recent research
suggests that it was probably carried out by a
single person using just one set of individual
alphabet stamps, a process that would have
been repetitive and time-consuming. The
perpetrator has never been traced, and no
direct connection has ever been established
between the coins and the Women’s Social
and Political Union (WSPU), or other
suffragette organisations.
The First World War is commonly
perceived as a watershed moment, when
the sun finally set on the Victorian golden
age: ‘never such innocence, never before or
since’, to use the oft-quoted words of Larkin.
Yet this is a romanticised and superficial
view of pre-war Britain that conceals a
more disturbing image, of a country beset Arrest of Suffragette in London, October 1913 (Library of Congress, 10825)

by domestic crises and civil disorder. conveyed the same symbolic message of
These included anarchist violence and the protest against a government that refused
beginnings of the Troubles in Ireland, and women the vote.
chief among them was the campaign for As Britain looks back on the
women’s suffrage. Suffragette militarism, Representation of the People Act 1918, the
or ‘direct action’, as it was also known, was ‘Votes for Women’ penny serves as a powerful
characterised by bombings, arson, window reminder of the sacrifices that were made
smashing and the destruction of cultural in fight for universal suffrage. Today, 100
property. It reached a tragic climax when years after women over thirty were given the
Emily Wilding Davison ran out in front of vote (women over 21 finally achieved the
the king’s horse at the Epsom Derby, in June same voting rights as men with the Equal
1914. The simple act of defacing a coin can Franchise Act of 1928), the coin can be seen
appear trivial in comparison with these more on permanent display in the British Museum’s
The Suffragette penny (© Trustees of the British Museum) serious acts of sedition, but it nevertheless Citi Money Gallery.

Coin Collecting Magazine | 66 | www.coincollectingmagazine.com

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