The numismatic chronicle and journal of the Royal Numismatic Society

194 HENRY SYMONDS.
tells us, has been found in great abundance in that
country. Seeing that James Simon in his Essay on Irish
Coins, Dr. Smith, and Mr. Grueber each held divergent
views as to when the first issue was made, and that
the point was of some importance, I examined the
Exchequer accounts relating to mint affairs at the
Tower from 1509 to 1535 or thereabouts. The result
was entirely negative, there being no allusion to the
coining of such money, notwithstanding that the
accounts were fairly complete and continuous during
that period of, say, twenty-five years. There is also
the fact that when Wolsey reorganized and altered the
English coinage in 1526 his reports did not mention
the existence of an Irish currency. I also examined
the Irish State Papers, and the immense collection of
documents, from many sources and on all subjects,
which have been brought together in the printed
volumes known as The Letters and Papers ofHenry VIII,
but without finding any clues between 1509 and 1535.
There were, however, suggestions as to the desirability
of a separate coinage. The first indication which
rewarded my quest was in an Exchequer account from
Michaelmas, 1536, to the same day in 1537, prepared
by the successive wardens of the Tower mint. The
document recited that letters patent had been directed
to Ealph Rowlet and Martin Bowes, the master-
workers, on 6 March, 27 Henry VIII (1535-6),
authorizing them to strike silver coins for Ireland.
During the year in question 2,345 Ibs. Troy had been
coined in the month of June, 1537, but the account
unfortunately does not disclose the weights or the
denominations or the standard of fineness. This com-
mission to the master-workers is not extant, nor have