The numismatic chronicle and journal of the Royal Numismatic Society

IRISH COINAGES OF HENRY VIII AND EDWARD VI. 207
Sir John Evans thought that the " 37 "
groat was
but I believe
struck at Bristol Castle (op. cit., p. 145),
that it is unknown with the typical W S mark. The
Lys with which it is marked was a Tower symbol,
and there is the further difficulty that the thirtyseventh
year ended on 21 April, 1546. This allows
only three weeks during which such a date could have
been used, seeing that the Bristol order was dated
1 April, 1546. Also, the moneyers at Bristol did not
actually begin work until 1 May, that is, in the thirtyeighth
year. (Vide Account 302/30.) Again, the " 37 "
groat reads " viii ", but those of Bristol always " 8 ", in
the obverse legend.
THE FIFTH COINAGE, 1546 (BRISTOL).
In this year the striking of Irish coins ceased at the
Tower. The reason for the transfer to Bristol of this
section of the industry may have been partly geo-
graphical, and partly a desire to furnish employment
for the new mint.
The Exchequer Account 302/30 recites that by virtue
of a commission directed to Sir E. Peckham, Wm. Sha-
rington, and others, " having relation from the 1st April
37 Henry VIII ", harp-groats were to be made in Bristol
Castle. Later in the same document it is stated that
the standard of fineness was 3 oz. of fine silver in the
pound Troy, so proving that the last of Henry's Irish
coins were 1 oz. in the pound less fine than the English
series of the same year.
The harp-groats made at Bristol follow the earlier
type issued at the Tower, and so there was not much
scope for the exercise of any creative talent possessed