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NUMISMATIC
CIRCULAR
March 2010 • Volume CXVIII • Number 1
A Selection of Milled Silver Coins from an Old Collection
Contents
An Official Byzantine Religious Medallion or Amulet?
S. Bendall 5
Tis a Mad World at Hoddesdon: John Clark’s
1668 Halfpenny Robert Thompson 6
John Ross of Paisley
An Unrecorded Token Issuer Mike Shaw 7
Symposium in Early Medieval Coinage 9
A Hoard of Oval Farthings from Ireland
Tim Everson 10
Portraits of Greek Coinage R. J. Eaglen 12
Semiotics of Celtic Coins VIII – Seeing Past
the Die-Cutters Robert D. Van Arsdell 13
Book Reviews 16
Obituaries
David Magnay 17
Ann Elizabeth Johnston 18
Dr. J. S. “Stoffel” Vogelaar 19
PS1 Victoria (1837-1901), “Una and the Lion” proof set, 1839, Five Pounds -
with 13 leaves to rear hair fillet, dirige legend and lettered edge - to Farthing
including Maundy Set (S.PS3), in somewhat ragged case of issue, some very minor marks
to gold coins and 3d, minor mark on edge of Halfcrown, otherwise as struck with a lovely
matching tone, unavailable to the market for over 70 years, very rare (15) £52,500
Autographs, Banknotes, Bonds & Shares, Coins,
Medals, Numismatic Books and Stamps
AUCTION CALENDAR
2010
Stamps
25/26 February Winter Collector’s Series Sale New York Spink Shreves
11 March The Alexander Reid Collections of Antigua, Cayman Islands and Ceylon London 1013
15 April Collector’s Series Sale London 1014
12 May Important Stamps & Covers of the World London 1016
19 May The “Alvarado” Collection of New South Wales Diadem and Coin Issues
in Association with Millennium Philatelic Auctions London 1021
June (TBC) Stamps & Covers of South East Asia Singapore 1018
15 July Collector’s Series Sale London 1020
Autographs
29/30 March Spring Numismatic Collector’s Series Sale Dallas Spink Smythe
Banknotes
29/30 March Spring Numismatic Collector’s Series Sale Dallas Spink Smythe
14 April Banknotes of the World London 1023
14/15 May Spring Numismatic Collector’s Series Sale Fort Worth Spink Smythe
June (TBC) Banknotes of South East Asia Singapore 1019
30 September Banknotes of the World London 1022
Bonds and Shares
2/3 February Bonds & Share Certificates of the World New York Spink Smythe
29 April Bonds & Share Certificates of the World London 1004
14/15 May Spring Numismatic Collector’s Series Sale Fort Worth Spink Smythe
June Bonds & Share Certificates of the World New York Spink Smythe
28 October Bonds & Share Certificates of the World London 1007
Coins
25 March Ancient, English & Foreign Coins, & Commemorative Medals London 1009
29/30 March Spring Numismatic Collector’s Series Sale Dallas Spink Smythe
14/15 May Spring Numismatic Collector’s Series Sale Fort Worth Spink Smythe
24 June Ancient, English & Foreign Coins, & Commemorative Medals London 1010
29/30 September Ancient, English & Foreign Coins, & Commemorative Medals London 1011
2 December Ancient, English & Foreign Coins, & Commemorative Medals London 1012
Medals
22 April Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria London 1005
22 July Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria London 1006
25 November Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria London 1008
The above sale dates are subject to change
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completion of the sale, the Buyer notifies the Seller
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STANDARD WORKS OF REFERENCE USED
B/BABELON: Traité des Monnaies Grecques et
Romaines
BCV/SEAR: Byzantine Coins and Their Values
BELL/BELL: Tradesmen’s Tickets and Tokens
1785–1819
BHM/BROWN: British Historical
Medals,1760–1960
BMC/British Museum Catalogue
BN/MORRISON: Catalogue des Monnaies Byzantines
BR/BROOKE: English Coins
BW/WILLIAMSON’S edition of Boyne: Trade Tokens
of the Seventeenth Century
C/COHEN: Monnaies Imperiales, 2e edition
CNI/Corpus Nummorum Italicorum
Cr/CRAWFORD: Roman Republican Coinage
DICKINSON, Michael. 17th Century Tokens of the
British Isles and Their Values
D.F./Spink’s Catalogue of British Commemorative
Medals 1558 to the present day by D. Fearon
D&F/DOWLE and FINN: The Guide Book to the
Coinage of Ireland, A.D. 995 to present
DH/DALTON and HAMER: Provincial Token Coinage
of the 18th Century
DO/Dumbarton Oaks Catalogue
DV/DAVIS: The Nineteenth Century Token Coinage
ELIAS: The Anglo-Gallic Coins
EMC/COPE and RAYNER: Standard Catalogue of
English Milled Coinage 1662–1972
ESC/English Silver Coinage from 1649
Fr/The Bronze Coinage of Great Britain
Gobl/R. GOBL: Sasanian Numismatics
H/HEAD: Historia Numorum
Heiss/HEISS: Monnaies Antiques de l’Espagne
L&S/LINECAR and STONE: English Proof and Pattern
Crown Size Pieces 1658–1960
LRBC/CARSON, HILL and KENT: Late Roman Bronze
Coinage
Mack/MACK: The Coinage of Ancient Britain
M./MARSH: The Gold Sovereign
MCE/Milled Coinage of England
Mesh/Y. MESHORER: Jewish Coins
MI/HAWKINS, FRANK and GRUEBER: Medallic
Illustrations of British History
Milne/MILNE: Catalogue of Alexandrian Coins
Mitch/MITCHINER: Indo-Greek and Indo-Scythian
Coinage (9 volumes)
N/NORTH: English Hammered Coinage (2 volumes)
P/PECK: English Copper, Tin and Bronze Coins in the
British Museum, 1558–1958
Parsons/PARSONS: The Coinage of British Africa
Pr/PRIDMORE: The Coinage of the British
Commonwealth of Nations (4 parts)
Ratto/Ratto Catalogue, Monnaies Byzantines
RCV/SEAR: Roman Coins and Their Values
RIC/Ed. SUTHERLAND and CARSON: The Roman
Imperial Coinage
S/SYDENHAM: Coinage of the Roman Republic
S/(English Coins) Spink Standard Catalogue
SCBI: Sylloge of Coins of the British Isles
Sellwood/SELLWOOD: An Introduction to the
Coinage of Parthia
SNG ANS/Syllogue Nummorum Graecorum:
American Numismatic Society
SNG Cop/Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum:
Danish National Museum, Copenhagen
SNG/Sylloge Numorum Graecorum
SNG v. Aul/Syllogue Nummorum Graecorum:
Sammlung Hans von Aulock
St/STEWART: The Scottish Coinage
VA/VAN ARSDELL: Celtic Coinage of Britain
W/WITHERS: British Copper Tokens 1811-1820
WR/WILSON and RASMUSSEN: English Pattern, Trial
and Proof Coins in Gold 1547-1968
ABBREVIATIONS
General
¡ = Gold ¿ = Silver Æ = Bronze
WM = White Metal Mm = Mint or initial mark
Obv = Obverse W = Reverse
MM = millimetre g = gramme
mgm = monogram
Rarity
R = Rare RR = Very rare RRR = Extremely rare
RRRR = Highest rarity
R 1 –R 7 7 also used for 19th and 20th Century
English Copper Coins and modern pieces from
1662
Condition
FDC = Fleur de coin, mint state
EF = Extremely Fine
VF = Very Fine F = Fine f = fair
M = Moderate P = Poor
UNC = Uncirculated (Modern Coins)
VG = Very Good: F+ (Banknote lists)
Any two of the above may be used in conjunction
as follows
F/VF = Obverse Fine, Reverse Very Fine
VF-EF = General condition between VF and EF
INSURANCE
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POSTAGE AND INSURANCE
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Coins = £5.00;
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Books up to2kg = £8.50
Books 3kg + = Charged at cost
International Registered:
EU:
Coins = £6.00;
Books up to1kg = £10.00
Books up to2kg = £15.00
Books 3kg + = Charged at cost
Rest of the World:
Coins = £10.00;
Books up to1kg = £15.00
Books up to2kg = £20.00
Books 3kg + = Charged at cost
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such taxes as charged.
4 NUMISMATIC CIRCULAR
Printed in England by Pardy & Son (Printers) Ltd Parkside, Ringwood, Hampshire BH24 3SF
The Numismatic Circular Published since 1892
March 2010 Volume CXVIII Number 1
Contents
An Official Byzantine Religious Medallion or Amulet?
S. Bendall 5
Tis a Mad World at Hoddesdon:
John Clark’s 1668 Halfpenny Robert Thompson 6
John Ross of Paisley
An Unrecorded Token Issuer Mike Shaw 7
Symposium in Early Medieval Coinage 9
A Hoard of Oval Farthings from Ireland
Tim Everson 10
Portraits of Greek Coinage
R. J. Eaglen 12
Semiotics of Celtic Coins VIII –
Seeing Past the Die-Cutters Robert D. Van Arsdell 13
Book Reviews 16
Obituaries
David Magnay 17
Ann Elizabeth Johnston 18
Dr. J. S. “Stoffel” Vogelaar 19
Our list of numismatic items and books offered for sale
follows on page 20
An Official Byzantine Religious Medallion
or Amulet?
S. Bendall
This large, pierced and struck copper amulet or medallion can
hardly be described as a pseudo-coin but none the less possibly
has some interest for numismatists.
Figure 1
Obv. IC – XC and H CTAV – PACIC (The Crucifiction); Christ on
cross, which rests on a small platform with a double linear border
decorated with pellets, flanked by two half length figures of, on l.,
female figure, nimbate, holding a winding sheet (?) and, on r., a
figure lacking a nimbus, r. hand slightly extended 1 ; crescent and
globe in upper fields.
Rev. H ANAC/TACIC (The Resurrection) 2 in two lines in upper r.
field; Christ advancing l., holding short patriarchal cross in r.
hand and raising Adam from a seated or crouching position with
Eve standing behind him; to l. a figure, wearing stemma
surmounted by a pyramid of three pellets and with trilobate
pendilia, divitision and chlamys, standing in his tomb gesturing
towards Christ with both hands. In larger versions of this scene in
mosaics there are two such figures, Kings David and Solomon 3 .
Diam. 40 x 47 mm; Wt. 23.01 gm;
Die axis 6 o’clock (180 degrees). Figure 1.
Figure 2
This is not a unique object. Another, unpierced, specimen,
struck from the same dies as far as can be seen from the engraving
by which it was illustrated (Figure 2), was acquired and published
over a century ago by G. Schlumberger 4 . That it lacks certain
details visible on this new specimen seems to indicate that it was
possibly not in quite such good condition 5 . Schlumberger did not
describe this object in any great detail, devoting only nine lines to
it, merely describing it as unusually large and very beautiful. He
considered it of the Comnenian period, i.e. of the 12th century
which is surely correct considering its style and design. Other
larger depictions of the Resurrection in mosaics differ, sometimes
considerably, such as that at Daphni where Christ holds a longer
patriarchal cross while Adam, Eve, Solomon and David are on the
left of Christ and, on His right, St. John the Baptist with, behind
him, a number of the ‘Just’ waiting for salvation 6 . The version on
this medallion, on the other hand, appears somewhat similar to
the mid-11th century mosaic of the Anastasis in a lunette on the
east wall of the narthex of Hosios Loukas except that the mosaic
depicts both Solomon and David, nimbate, while the broken
remnants of the gates of Hell lie beneath Christ’s feet, a feature
which, like the figure of Solomon, the flan of this amulet was
presumably too small to include 7 .
A feature of slight interest is the form of the pendilia of the
king’s crown which is trilobate. This form of pendilia does not
seem to appear on the coinage until the reign of Theodore I
Lascaris of Nicaea (1204-1222). However, in the mosaics in
Hosios Loukas and Daphni both Solomon and David have the
same trilobate pendilia, the form that, inverted, surmounts their
crowns as trefoils. With a possible Constantinopolitan
provenance for both specimens, these amulets, by style, can
hardly be provincial or Palaeologan (since later 13th century
depictions of the Anastasis show Christ standing between Adam
and Eve, extending a hand to each) or, by design, Latin.
Of interest to the numismatist is the superior style and large
size of this amulet, the fact that both specimens seem to have been
struck from the same pair of dies and appear to come from
Constantinople, all of which suggests to the writer that the
amulet was an official production. Could they have been
produced at the Constantinopolitan mint? There are rare lead
seals of similar size but their style is not so fine and the dies for the
multitude of lead seals that exist are cruder and would not have
MARCH 2010 5
een produced by the mint but presumably by private engravers
throughout the empire. Who else could have produced this
amulet? To produce dies and strike medallions/amulets of this size
and quality possibly required a master engraver and the facilities
of the mint. The only copper coins of comparable size had been
folles of Justinian I (527-565) and Constantine IV (668-685).
There is no sign that these amulets were overstruck on any of
these earlier folles. Their flans were presumably specially
produced and are well struck albeit both showing slight signs of
double striking.
That such a large amulet or medallion could be struck in the
12th century might seem unusual but whether produced at the
mint, as the writer suspects, or by some other workshop, perhaps
official, it is obvious that it was possible even at such a late date to
strike a coin-like object as large as and in better style than any
earlier Byzantine copper coin although, of course, unlike this
object, coins were generally struck in enormous quantities from
large numbers of dies which would have been much more
cursorily engraved.
Acknowledgement:
My thanks to Konstantin Olbrich for his help.
Footnotes:
1. The figures at the foot of the cross should represent the two Marys, the
mother of Christ and Mary Magdalene although Schlumbeger’s
illustration depicts the right hand figure as a male holding a book (the
Gospels?).
2. The Anastasis took place in the brief period between Christ’s crucifiction
and resurrection when he descended to Hell and redeemed Old Testament
personages.
3. Since the king on this amulet appears beardless he is presumably David
as on mosaics Solomon is depicted as bearded. The flan is too small to
depict both.
4. ‘Monuments Byzantins Inedits’, Gazette Archeologique, 1883 and
reprinted in ‘Melanges d’Archeologie Byzantine’, Paris 1895.
Schlumberger acquired his specimen in Constantinople. Its whereabouts
is apparently now unknown. It is not in the Bibliotheque Nationale
which received so much of Schlumberger’s material. The specimen
published here also seems to have come from Constantinople some 35
years ago.
5. The engraving lacks, on the obverse, the IC XC, the platform on which the
cross stands and the extended hand of the right hand figure who appears
to be depicted holding a book whereas he or she is actually also possibly
holding a winding sheet and is thus probably Mary Magdalene. On the
reverse the king’s crown lacks both its ‘cross’ and pendilia.
6. C. Diehl, ‘Manuel d’Art Byzantine’, Paris 1910, p. 466, fig. 227.
7. Diehl, p. 478, fig. 232. The figure of the king is not nimbate on this
medallion while both Solomon and David are on the mosaics but this can
hardly mean that it represents a recently deceased Comnenian emperor.
Tis a Mad World at Hoddesdon:
John Clark’s 1668 Halfpenny
Robert Thompson
In Williamson’s standard catalogue of seventeenth-century
tokens, under HODDESDON in Hertfordshire, appears the
following entry 1 .
126. O. IOHN . CLARKE . AT . THE = Two brewers carrying a
barrel.
R. IN . HODSDON . HIS . HALFE . PENNY . I668 (in six
lines). (Octagonal.)
‘This name is well known in and about Hoddesdon’.
That annotation, if intended to support the publication of the
token in Hertfordshire, was of no value. ‘Clark’ formed the 27th
commonest surname in England and Wales in 1853, ‘Clark’ and
‘Clarke’ together the ninth commonest 2 . The surname does not
support this attribution. Neither can a single find in 2008 by
someone known to detect around Ashwell and Royston, both in
Hertfordshire, though about twenty miles north of Hoddesdon 3 .
Believing him a Hertfordshire issuer, Longman found in the
Hertfordshire Sessions Rolls a 1662 recognizance for an
alehouse-keeper named John Clarke concerning unlawful games
in his house, which does not mention his locality, and a 1690
recognizance for a John Clark to answer for an assault on a
colonel of a Dutch regiment quartered at Hoddesdon, which does
not mention his trade 4 . Many bearers of the name are indexed in
the volume.
Williamson’s Hertfordshire 126 was not catalogued by his
predecessor Boyne. The token’s first appearance seems to be in a
manuscript addition facing page 113 of an interleaved copy of
Boyne, once the property of Nathan Heywood (c.1856-1918) 5 .
He, a Manchester solicitor, is of untarnished reputation 6 . It is
incomprehensible that Heywood should have recorded the token
as above, for the Norweb specimen, ex Nott, can be traced back
through the Hertfordshire collector William Longman
(Glendining sale 17 July 1957, lot 242), and Messrs Baldwin, to
Heywood himself, lot 43 in his sale of 22 April 1918. It reads:
Obv. · IOHN · CLARK · AT · Y E · around Two Brewers
supporting a barrel on a pole
Rev. · IN· | HOGSDO N | HIS | HALFE | PENNY | I668
Coppery, octagonal, 180°.
Figure 1
Thus Heywood misspelled the surname, also Y E , and on the
reverse HOGSDO N was rendered HODSDON [sic!]. This seems to
be the origin of the mistaken spelling HODSDON, and consequent
misattribution, in Williamson 1889, unavoidably accepted by
Seaby 1961 and Dickinson 1986 7 . Correctly read, the token
should never have been attributed to Hertfordshire.
Attention needs to focus on the place-name HOGSDO N . There
is no vowel between G and S to suggest the pronunciation of
Hoddesdon seen in Hodgesdon (1554), and found in Hodgesden on
Norweb tokens iii.2225-6. That same pronunciation must lie
behind HOGESDEN on the token of John Smigersgill, who is
sufficiently documented in Hertfordshire despite his Yorkshire
surname 8 . Before universal literacy pronunciation is the
determinant, and Hoddesdon is not recorded with a
pronunciation starting Hog... 9
The spelling HOGSDO N must represent the pronunciation
(hogzdon), with g as in ‘get’, and its identity must lie somewhere
other than Hoddesdon. The obvious candidate is Hoxton, in the
Middlesex parish of Shoreditch, beside the Berwick road (now
A10). This occurred, for example, as Hochestone in Domesday
Book, Hogesdon in 1528, Hogsdon in 1546, Hogsden in 1593,
Hogesdon al. Hoxton in 1625 10 . It was Hoggsdon on Morden’s 1695
map of Middlesex. The token should be attributed to HOXTON
(Middlesex, Shoreditch parish).
One John Clark, Hoxton, and his wife Mary, had a daughter
Judith baptised at St. Leonard, Shoreditch on 3 July 1674 11 . A
messuage occupied by ‘Clarke’ in 1676, and sold to John Clarke in
1680, was afterwards in the occupation of his widow Mary, then
of Sarah Waxham, and then of Thomas Waxham according to a
1732 indenture. In 1747 the assignees of Waxham sold the
Waxham messuage, and another on its south side formerly
occupied by a Mr Castlefrank, to James Atkinson. The Waxham
house remained in the Atkinson family until 1894, when it was
in use as part of the Hoxton House Asylum and known as The
White House, cf. the 1668 halfpenny of EZEK: | TANNER...AT |
THE: | WHIT HOVSE | IN | HOXTON 12 . Numbers 46 and 48
Hoxton Street (since re-numbered 34), occupied chiefly as an
Infant Welfare Centre, correspond to the surviving Hoxton House
of two storeys over a basement, with attics lighted by dormer
windows, the exterior of brick with a plain brick band at first floor
level:
6 NUMISMATIC CIRCULAR
‘The date of erection of the latter cannot be ascertained, but was
certainly later than 1680. The great probability is, therefore, that
the present premises, the details of which are quite compatible
with their having been erected in the late 17th or early 18th
century, are the actual premises occupied by Castlefrank’ 13 .
To emphasize that the token-issuer’s name is not distinctive,
three wills, none of them (from the index) prima facie
relevant, were proved for a John Clarke of St. Leonard, Shoreditch,
in 1661-1700:
John Clerke, 1687, his relict Elizabeth renouncing
administration;
John Clarke, 1695, administration to relict Judith;
John Clarke, St. Leonard, Shoreditch, and St. Bartholomew the
Less, 1695: administration/ will to guardian of son Thomas
during his minority 14 .
The issuer’s token at least can be published where it belongs,
and Hoxton may celebrate with cakes and ale:
‘As toward the towne mine eye I cast,
In mingled troopes I might beholde
Women and men (some yong, some olde)
Like to a Spring-tide, strongly flowing
To Hogsdon, not one backward going.
Out of the Citty rush’d the streame,
A while (me thought) I did but dreame...
The Lawyer that in Terme-time takes
Fat fees, pleades here for Ale and Cakes.
Doctors, Proctors, Clarkes, Atturneis,
To Pimlyco make sweattie iourneis.’
7. P. Seaby, ‘A guide to the token coinage of the 17th century:
Hertfordshire’, SCMB (1961), pp. 189-91, 226-9, 267-71 (p. 229);
M. Dickinson, Seventeenth-century Tokens of the British Isles (London,
1986), p. 74.
8. SCBI 43: The Norweb... Tokens... Part III: Hampshire to Lincolnshire
(London, 1992), no. 2228.
9. J. E. B. Gover et al., The Place-names of Hertfordshire (Cambridge, 1938),
pp. 228-9.
10. J. E. B. Gover et al., The Place-names of Middlesex (Cambridge, 1942),
p. 146.
11. Hackney Archives Department: St. Leonard, Shoreditch, parish registers.
12. Williamson, Middlesex 105; SCMB (1967), pl. 29; publication of Norweb
specimen forthcoming.
13. London County Council, Survey of London, vol. VIII: The Parish of St.
Leonard, Shoreditch (London, 1922), pp. 134-5.
14. Index to Testamentary Records in the Archdeaconry Court of London ...,
vol. II, ed. M. Fitch (London, 1985), p. 39.
15. [Pimlico] Pimlyco, or Runne Red-cap: Tis a mad world at Hogsdon (London,
1609), sigs. B4b, D1a; reproduced in facsimile with a preface by A. H.
Bullen (Oxford, 1891), in Antient drolleries, no. 2; this reprinted
Breinigsville PA, 2009 (Kessinger Publishing’s legacy reprints).
16. A. D. Mills, A Dictionary of London Place-names (Oxford, 2001), pp. 178-9.
John Ross of Paisley
An Unrecorded Token Issuer
Mike Shaw
In his seminal work “Tokens of the Industrial Revolution”
(published by Spink, 2001), H. E. Manville published the most
comprehensive study ever undertaken of foreign silver coins
countermarked for use in Great Britain during the Industrial
Revolution (c.1787-1828). In this work he described the
prevailing monetary, economic and social conditions which led to
the issue of privately countermarked tokens (mainly Spanish
dollars), the results of his research into the issuers, and
undertook perhaps his most far-reaching task of all, that of
recording all known specimens.
It is a reflection on the thoroughness of his research that since
this publication, no new issuer of these tokens has hitherto been
identified. Finally, however, a previously unknown private issuer
of countermarked dollars has come to light.
Figure 2
The Pimlico ale-house in Hoxton Street was the subject of this
1609 poem which suggested the present title, Pimlyco, or Runne
Red-Cap: Tis a mad world at Hogsdon 15 (Figure 2). It probably gave
its name to the better-known Pimlico district of Westminster, and
itself is now believed to have been transferred from the Pamlico or
Pamticough Indians who lived near Raleigh’s Roanoke
settlements in Virginia. Consequently, Pimlico was the first native
American place-name in England 16 .
Footnotes:
1. G. C. Williamson, Trade Tokens issued in the Seventeenth Century (London,
1889-91), p. 318.
2. B. Cottle, The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, 2nd edn. (Harmondsworth,
1978), p. 92.
3. Ex inf. Mr Roger Paul, 28.7.08 and 25.10.09.
4. Hertford County Records: Notes and Extracts from the Sessions Rolls, 1581
to 1698, Vol. 1, ed. W. J. Hardy (Hertford, 1905), pp. 142, 387; W.
Longman, ‘Notes on some Hertfordshire issuers of seventeenth-century
tokens’, NCirc 16 (1907-8), cols. 10457-60.
5. W. Boyne, Tokens issued in the Seventeenth Century (London, 1858),
ex Nathan Heywood, property of R. H. Thompson.
6. H. E. Manville, Biographical Dictionary of British and Irish Numismatics
(London, 2009), p. 132.
Figure 1 Figure 2
There recently appeared in commerce a Spanish dollar
(8 Reales of Ferdinand VII, dated 1813, struck at the Mexico City
mint with the assay initials J J - Joaquín Dávila Madrid and José
García Ansaldo). The most obvious feature of this coin, however,
is that it has been countermarked on the obverse, and the
countermark has later been obliterated by two strikings of a
circular grille or “lattice” punch (figure 1). There is a
corresponding flat area on the reverse (figure 2). Not surprisingly,
the piece was offered for sale with this described as an unidentified
and cancelled countermark.
The cancellation of privately countermarked dollars is a wellknown
feature of the series as we know it today. Faced with a
shortage of silver coins, merchants would countermark Spanish
silver dollars (which were readily available) with a pledge to
redeem them at a fixed value. However, once in circulation, the
intrinsic value of such a token was still dependent on its silver
content, and thus subject to fluctuations in the market price of
MARCH 2010 7
ullion silver. For long periods this might be relatively stable, but
during periods of turmoil (notably during wars with France, for
example) the bullion price might be subject to sharp fluctuations.
If it fell significantly (eg. with a victory or a declaration of peace),
the merchant might find himself in the position of being required
to redeem his token for more than it was now actually worth. This
he would probably be prepared to do once, but in order to make
further use of the coin it would then be necessary to invalidate the
pledge on his countermark, to prevent it being presented to him
for redemption at a loss for a second time.
As may be seen from the photograph, it is evident that this
cancellation has been successful. Certainly there is absolutely no
identifiable trace of a redemption value, which is normally
found at the centre of such countermarks. However, with some
trial rotation and counterbalancing in the hand (which,
unfortunately, it is obviously not possible to replicate in print), the
search for the name of a possible issuer did offer some intriguing
clues in this case. The remains of a name do appear, clockwise,
from a position beginning at six o’clock of the countermark in
figure 1. The legible letters of the countermark then appear to be
Figure 3
JOHN, with a best reading of ROSS... for the letters following, and
finally ...SLEY (ideally observed from a combination of angles, but
discernible from figure 3). There is also evidence below this
lettering of two concentric circles, containing between them a
ring of large separated dots (not the more common joined
beading) which would probably have surrounded the value. The
reverse carries no evidence of a separate punch (as is sometimes
the case), only the flattening normally observed from the pressure
of obverse punching. Comparisons with Manville’s recorded
issuers give rise to obvious discrepancies in each case which
prevent a match. However, several token issuers are known from
Paisley (Manville estimated a dozen), making it the likely place of
issue.
The hypothesis for our issuer was thus JOHN ROSS of PAISLEY,
but the incomplete reading also left scope for a longer name
(ROSSER, ROSSETTI, ROSSINGTON, ROSSITER, etc.) and/or a
fuller commercial styling for the business (eg. & CO., & SON(S),
SR., JR., or a description of his commercial activity). The date of
its issue could obviously be no earlier than the 1813 date of the 8
Reales, although neither the coin nor the legible letters of the
countermark show much wear, perhaps suggesting a short lived
circulation (this is worth noting, as silver bullion prices dropped
sharply in 1814 (Napoleon’s first exile) and again in 1815
(Waterloo), which led to the prompt cancellation of high value
countermarks by some other token issuers).
With the generous guidance of the staff at the Paisley Local
Studies Library, the following information was pieced together.
Examination of the Paisley Burgess Roll revealed the signature
of John Ross, manufacturer, Cumberland Court, 24 Causeyside,
entered on 10th October 1808 (cautioner William Boyd,
manufacturer).
The first extant Paisley Trades Directory, for 1810 (by
Archibald Bell, published by J. Neilson), makes reference to John
Ross & Co., manufacturer, Cumberland Court, Causeyside (also
Mrs. Ross, vintner, 24 Causeyside).
Directories do not exist for every year, but the same entry for
Mrs. Ross is repeated in the next available directory (1813,
Gilroy), although this time John Ross himself is absent (this is not
necessarily significant as such gaps are a feature of sporadic early
directories, and he does appear in all those following).
George Ritchie’s directory (July 1820) has John Ross & Co.,
manufacturers, and Mrs. Ross, vintner, both at 24 Causeyside.
Pigot (1821) includes John Ross Sen., manufacturer of plaid,
muslins and shawls.
Robert Biggar (1823) has John Ross Sen. & Co.,
manufacturers, at 24 Causeyside street, also John Ross sen.,
house at 30 Storie Street. However, in 1827 (George Fowler) John
Ross appears only as John Ross sen., thread manufacturer, house
30 Storie Street.
The lack of reference to commercial premises suggested that
perhaps Ross had retired from his business during the intervening
period (which coincided with a heavy recession for the cloth
manufacturing trades), and upon investigation this was
reinforced by the following advertisement, appearing in the
Paisley Advertiser (12th May 1827 and 19th May 1827);
“TO LET. That mill situated in George-street of Paisley, as possessed
for some time back by Messrs. John Ross Senior & Co., length 40 feet
by 32 feet within the walls and Three Storeys high with Garretts.
There is a Steam Engine of Five Horse power, and Great Gearing, fitted
up on the premises. Entry at Whit-Sunday first. Apply to Mr. John
Burns, 59 Causeyside, or Mr. Andrew Campbell, 53 Moss-street,
Paisley.”
In 1828 (George Fowler) there is another directory entry for
John Ross sen., thread manufacturer, house 30 Storie Street, and
he appears again in the 1829-1831 editions, his house now at 31
Oakshaw Street (but no mention of any business premises).
Instead, the Paisley Advertiser records his election to the Town
Council of Paisley on 6th October 1827, as Treasurer on 11th
October 1828, and successive re-elections as a baillie (10th
October 1829 - 8th October 1831), and this succession of events
is also recorded in the annual directories for those years (all
Fowler).
On 2nd June 1832 the Paisley Advertiser carried his obituary;
“Death. Here, on the 27th ult., John Ross Esq., Thread Manufacturer.”
(He died 27th May 1832).
It is worth noting that John Ross’s address and trade would
have made him a neighbour, and possibly a competitor, of
another countermarked token issuer, J. Muir (Manville 84).
Manville noted that John Muir, also a manufacturer of shawls and
plaids, had premises at Cumberland Court, Causeyside, in 1810,
and apparently at 12 and 32 Causeyside at later dates. Causeyside
also appears in Manville’s probable or possible addresses for John
Lang (Manville 76), McGavin & Clarkson (Manville 78), and J.
McLean (Manville 81).
The dates, location, type of commercial activity and other
similarities with known issuers suggest that this John Ross issued
our newly discovered token. No other contemporary merchant
with a plausible alternative name was found, so we may surmise
that the illegible space in the legend of the cancelled countermark
might easily have accommodated any of & CO., SEN(R)., MFR., as
found in the directories (or possibly a combination of these). We
know that Ross was active in commerce 1808-23 at least
(possibly until 1827), and while the coin date of 1813 gives an
earliest possible issue date, the lack of other detail, including the
absence of any legible value, complicates dating the countermark
more precisely. These details await discovery of a second specimen
or reliable documentary evidence.
In a future revision of Manville’s work, John Ross may become
M 86A.
Harry Manville was thus prophetic when writing of the Paisley
countermarks “It appears likely that other issues may have been
redeemed and melted with no specimens remaining, and new
ones may yet be discovered” (page 152).
8 NUMISMATIC CIRCULAR
Symposium in
Early Medieval
Coinage
Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge
Saturday 20 March 2010
Speakers include: Anna Gannon, Kevin
Leahy, Catherine Karkov, Rory Naismith,
Megan Gooch, Lucy Moore, Philip Shaw,
Wybrand Op den Velde, John Naylor and
Tony Abramson
Attendance free of charge.
For further information contact
Tony Abramson: 0113 225 0680
or t.abramson@ntlworld.com
MARCH 2010 9
A Hoard of Oval Farthings from Ireland
Tim Everson
An old, illegally excavated, hoard of oval farthings has recently been brought to my attention.
Because of its illegal nature there is a lack of names and dates, but details given to me have the ring
of veracity. Metal detecting is illegal in the Republic of Ireland but, sometime in the early 1990s, a
metal detector was being used on the foreshore of Dublin harbour when it came across a group of
copper coins. These turned out to be about 100 Richmond (and one Lennox) farthings, dating from
1624 to 1632 and, with one exception, they were all ovals. A group of 24 of these coins was
recently shown to me. Unfortunately they are the worst condition specimens with corroded edges.
It seems as though they may have formed the outside of a ‘ball’ of coins, with the ones in the centre
protected. These tokens are as follows:
JAMES I
1.
Lennox Type 5 E54a, pm Cross patée 1 example
CHARLES I
2-5.
Richmond Type 7b E 113g, pm Cross patée 4 examples
6.
Richmond Type 7b As E 113g but with 7 harp strings 1 example
7.
Richmond Type 9 E 115b, pm Martlet 1 example
8.
Richmond Type 10a E 117a, pm Crescent 1 example
9-24.
Richmond Type 10c E 119, pm 9 16 examples
Apparently these numbers equate with the hoard as a whole. About half the hoard, or 50 pieces
consisted of pm 9, about 20 of pm Cross patée, and then about half a dozen each of Martlet,
Millrind and Crescent. The solitary round Richmond had a pm Cross patée, E 71. The James I listed
here was apparently the only James I in the hoard.
There are several interesting points to mention here. Firstly the lack of Type 8 and Type 10b.
In the author’s new classification of this series, I stated (p.39) that there was no evidence for the
chronology of Middle period Richmond ovals. Given that this is a hoard of reasonable size, and that
Type 8 is quite common, it would seem that Type 8 had not begun at the time this hoard was lost,
and that Type 8 should post-date Type 10. The same could perhaps be said for Type 10b post-dating
Type 10c, but 10b is too rare a piece to be certain of this. Examination of these pieces also
convinced the author that E 113h and E 115a probably don’t exist, but are misreadings of
punctuation by the author. The new discovery of a Type 7b with 7 harp strings is interesting. The
large number of Type 10c with pm 9 in this hoard reminded me of the small hoard of eight
farthings with pm 9 which I bought in 1996. It seems highly likely to me that they came from this
same hoard. They were better quality pieces and were obviously the first to be sold off. I have now
seen eight different pairs of dies for E 119, pm 9 farthings which is perhaps all there were,
considering these farthings were manufactured in strips vertically.
This hoard is perhaps the final proof that oval farthings were issued for use in Ireland. Doubts
raised by Nigel Clark and others, due mainly to who was selling oval farthings and alleged
provenances, may be entirely due to the illegal removal from Ireland of this comparatively large
hoard for sale in England.
The mixture of pms in the hoard would seem to suggest that the farthings might have been on
the way back out of Ireland to the London Token House when lost, because a fresh delivery would
surely all have had the same privy mark. Perhaps, however, old stock from the Token House was
being recycled and sent, along with an issue of the newest pm 9 tokens to Dublin. 100 farthings
are of course only just over 2 shillings and would only fill a small purse or bag. A delivery to Dublin
would have been much larger, in a chest perhaps, so maybe just one small bag was dropped during
unloading. It is such a shame that the hoard was dispersed before it could be properly examined,
which might have helped more with some of these points. It is to be hoped that the Republic of
Ireland adopts a Treasure Act similar to England & Wales, which would reward finders of such
items and therefore encourage them to be declared. Many questions on the use of small change in
Ireland could then be answered.
Bibliography
Everson, T. The Galata Guide to the Farthing Tokens of James I and Charles I: A History and Reclassification. Galata 2007
10 NUMISMATIC CIRCULAR
JAMES I
1.
Lennox Type 5
CHARLES I
2. 3. 4. 5.
Richmond Type 7b
6.
Richmond Type7b
7.
Richmond Type 9
8.
Richmond Type 10a
9. 10. 11. 12.
13. 14. 15. 16.
17. 18. 19. 20.
21. 22. 23. 24.
Richmond Type 10c
MARCH 2010 11
Portraits of Greek Coinage
R. J. Eaglen
31 – Clazomenae
¿ hemidrachm, c.380 – 350
Obverse
Figure A
Reverse
Figure B
Obv. Laureate head of Apollo, facing slightly l., with free-flowing
hair.
Rev. Swan facing l., arching neck and spreading wings.
ΑΓΟΛΛΑΣ (magistrate) above and ΚΛ (Clazomenae) below.
2.08g (13mm), die axis 315°.
Author’s collection. Ex David Miller, 2004.
Clazomenae is glimpsed intermittently as a modest star in the
firmament of the Greek city states. It was one of the twelve cities
comprising the Ionian League 1 . It was the birthplace of the
distinguished philosopher Anaxagoras 2 and its athletes enjoyed
success in the games at Delphi and Olympia 3 . From the late sixth
century BC it produced distinctive black figure vases and
impressive painted sarcophagi. Michael Grant mentions that the
city was also well-known for its fish paste 4 . This is somewhat akin
to saying that the United States of America is notable for its
ketchup.
The city originally developed close to the Gulf of Izmir, some
twenty miles west of Smyrna 5 . According to Pausanias, at the
beginning of the fifth century the inhabitants moved to an island
close by the mainland for fear of Persian invasion. In calmer
times, Alexander the Great had a 400 yard causeway constructed
to join the island to the mainland 6 . Neither the barrier of water
nor the fortifying walls constructed by the Clazomenians were
proof against their succumbing to domination by Athens or by
Persia. In the wake of the latter’s defeat at Marathon in 490 7 , the
city joined the Delian League and for that privilege paid
increasing tribute to Athens between 454 and 415 8 , culminating
in a short-lived and ineffectual revolt in 412 9 . However, under the
King’s Peace of 386, at the end of the Corinthian War waged by
an unlikely alliance of Athens, Persia and others to thwart the
expansionist ambitions of Sparta, Clazomenae was consigned to
Persian rule 10 . This change ushered in a surprising and
remarkable flowering of mint output at the city.
Proximity to Lydia as the cradle of coinage resulted in silver
being struck to the Persian standard at Clazomenae from the late
sixth century 11 . The obverse showed the forepart of a winged boar,
flying right and the reverse consisted of a quadripartite incuse
square. There followed an interruption precipitated by an Ionian
revolt in 494 against increasing Persian exactions 12 . Between 480
and 450 the winged boar obverse was revived, now accompanied
by an incuse square containing a ram’s head or a gorgoneon 13 .
The coinage introduced after the King’s Peace abandoned the
earlier imagery for a facing head of Apollo on the obverse and a
swan with outstretched wings on the reverse, as illustrated in
Figures A and B 14 . Besides gold staters, silver was struck using the
Attic standard in tetradrachms, didrachms, drachms and
hemidrachms 15 . The dies, especially of the rare stater and of the
tetradrachm, included examples of artistry excelled nowhere else
in ancient Greece. Some of the tetradrachms were signed by the
engraver Theodotos, with the words ΦΕΟΔΟΤΟΣ ΕΠΟΕΙ
(Theodotos made it). Perhaps the finest example of all is that
shown in Figure C from Berlin (x2) 16 . In contrast with Sicily,
where the engravers’ signatures usually form a discreet part of
the design, Theodotos’ name is placed proudly in the field.
Consequently the word ΕΠΟΕΙ is needed to make it clear that the
name refers to the engraver rather than a magistrate. Much later,
this form of words, in Latin, was widely used by artists and
craftsmen as a merited or occasionally optimistic celebration of
their work: ‘Isaac Ollivierus fecit’, on a miniature watercolour on
vellum,1616 17 ; ‘Thos Tompion Londini fecit’, on the dial of a
longcase clock, c.1675 18 .
It would be absurd to be tempted into partiality between
Theodotos’ facing bust dies of Apollo and those of Athena signed
by Eucleidas 19 or of Arethusa by Cimon 20 at Syracuse, or of Apollo
by Heracleidas at Camarina 21 , or, indeed, the finest unsigned
tetradrachms of Helios from Rhodes 22 or of Apollo from
Amphipolis 23 . Fittingly, Theodotos’ conception of Apollo most
closely resembles Heracleidas’ portrayal of the same god.
Heracleidas’ treatment of the hair, however, is quite different,
more whispy and given body by bold wreathing with laurels. In
contrast, Theodotos’ Apollo has thicker locks of free-flowing hair
with less bold laurel leaves. On certain of the dies from
Amphipolis a strikingly unusual effect is obtained by turning the
face slightly further towards profile 24 . The facial expression
achieved with the Berlin obverse die (Figure C) is captivating.
Although identifiably more human than the facing heads of
Rhodes, it nevertheless conveys a detachment, serenity and
introspective profundity setting it apart from mundane
experience 25 .
Figure C (x2)
The superb obverse design is matched by the reverse
portraying a swan with spread wings (Fig. F below) The image fits
perfectly within the circle of the flan, the nearly parallel lines of
the wing feathers contrasting pleasingly with the curves of the
bird’s head and neck. In comparison, the quadriga on Sicilian
reverses scores with its appealing detail and sense of movement,
but inevitably loses something in our eyes because of its
widespread repeated use 26 . The image of a swan on the coins of
Clazomenae has been explained in various ways: as an emblem of
Apollo, because the species was abundant in the region, and,
more speculatively, because the name of the city recalled the
bird’s plaintive notes 27 . Apart from Clazomenae, the swan occurs
on the reverse of coins struck in the mid fourth century at Leucai,
located at the south of an island in the Gulf about twelve miles to
the north of Clazomenae 28 . Its appearance there is not surprising
since the Clazomenians gained control of the island after a
dispute with Kyme arbitrated by the Delphic oracle 29 . An exotic
image of a swan also appears on didrachms of Camarina (c.410),
showing the bird swimming through waves with the nymph
Camarina on its back 30 .
Writing in glowing terms of a Theodotos tetradrachm in the
British Museum, H. J. Berk in 100 Greatest Ancient Coins, has
speculated that it would command a market value in excess of
$500,000 31 . And arguably its style and certainly its metal quality
is inferior to the Berlin specimen. At the other extreme unsigned
examples of the type in poor condition occasionally appear on the
market at about 1% of Berk’s figure 32 , but, as the percentage
12 NUMISMATIC CIRCULAR
difference implies, comparison is irrelevant. Nevertheless, for the
more modest collector, well executed unsigned dies of smaller
denominations do come on to the market. Interestingly, even
Lockett possessed two drachms, five hemidrachms, but no
tetradrachm 33 and Gulbenkian was happy to purchase four
drachms and a hemidrachm besides his two tetradrachms 34 .
To conclude, the hemidrachm illustrated as Figures A and B
is shown enlarged at Figures E and G, alongside life-size images
of the Berlin specimen (Figures D and F). Given that the
hemidrachm only has about one eighth of the metallic content of
the tetradrachm and a mere quarter of its surface area, it stands
up bravely to the comparison.
23. Jenkins, Ancient Greek Coins, 213; GCV 1378 (p.141), illustrated.
24. GCV 1378.
26. Other remarkable obverse dies by Theodotos include Gulbenkian 737,
Jameson 1493 and GCV 4315 (p.397), illustrated, the coin referred to in
footnote 31 below. Amongst unsigned dies Pozzi 2399 is outstanding,
with a slender face, copious hair and finely modelled mouth.
26. See GCV 944 (p.100), illustrated, for an example by Cimon.
27. Head, Historia Nummorum, p.368.
28. Atlas, Maps 56 D5, 57 E3.
29. Poleis, p.1046.
30. Bunker Hunt, I, 19 June 1990, 80.
31. H. J. Berk, 100 Greatest Coins (Atlanta, 2008), No.47, p.47.
32. E.g. CNG Mail Bid Sale 73, 13 September 2006, 321, sold at $4,000,
against an estimate of $1,000.
33. Lockett 2270-1, 2272-6. The 43 Sartiges plates of spectacular coins (see
J. Spring, Ancient Coin Auction Catalogues, 1880 – 1980, entry 487,
p.190) only includes two hemidrachms from Clazomenae (354-5).
34. Gulbenkian 735, 738, 740-1; 739; 736-7. Strangely some of these
pieces fell short of his normal standards of artistic merit.
Figure D
Figure E
Semiotics of Celtic Coins VIII –
Seeing Past the Die-Cutters
Robert D. Van Arsdell
Figure F
Figure G
Acknowledgement:
Figures C, D and F are published with the permission of the
Münzkabinett, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, object 18216497.
Footnotes:
1. Heroditus 1. 142.3; M. Grant, A Guide to the Ancient World (London,
1986), p.173; An Inventory of Archaic and Classical Poleis (Poleis), edited by
M. H. Hansen and T. H. Nielsen (Oxford, 2004), p.1076.
2. The Oxford Classical Dictionary (OCD), 3rd edition revised, edited by
S. Hornblower and A. Spawforth (Oxford, 2003), p.84.
3. Poleis, p.1077.
4. Grant, Guide to the Ancient World, p.173.
5. Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World (Atlas), edited by R. Talbert
(Oxford and Princeton, 2000), Maps 56 D5, 57 E3.
6. Pausanias 7.3.9.
7. OCD, p.921.
8. Poleis, p.1076.
9. Thucydides 8.14.3, 8.23.6.
10. OCD, pp.391, 807.
11. D. R. Sear, Greek Coins and their Values (GCV), II (London, 1979), 3501-2
(p.326).
12. B. V. Head, Historia Nummmorum (Oxford, 1911), p.567.
13. GCV 4309-12 (pp.395,397).
14. The winged boar survived as a small symbol beneath the swan on staters
(see G. K. Jenkins, Ancient Greek Coins (London, 1972), 299 (illustration);
GCV 4313 (p.397).
15. GCV 4314-9 (p.397).
16. Berlin. The obverse is finely illustrated (x4) in C. M. Kraay and M. Hirmer,
Greek Coins (New York), 608, and the reverse (x2), 609.
17. D. Foskett, Miniatures, Dictionary and Guide (Woodbridge, 1987), p.65.
18. T. Robinson, The Longcase Clock (Woodbridge, 1981), p.62.
19. Kraay and Hirmer, Greek Coins, 111 (Plate IV); Jenkins, Ancient Greek
Coins, 400.
20. Kraay and Hirmer, Greek Coins, 122; R. J. Eaglen, ‘Portraits of Greek
Coinage, 4 - Larissa’, NCirc, June 2005, p.173, Figure A; Jenkins, Ancient
Greek Coins, 418; GCV, I (London, 1978), 944 (p.100), illustrated.
21. Kraay and Hirmer, Greek Coins, 44 (Plate III); Jenkins, Ancient Greek Coins
429; GCV 771 (p.81), illustrated.
22. GCV 5029, 5032 (p.456), illustrated; Jenkins, Ancient Greek Coins, 208.
See ‘Portraits of Greek Coinage, 29 - Rhodes’, NCirc, September 2009,
pp.161-2 for later facing heads of Helios.
Have the die-cutters helped or hindered us in the quest to
understand the images on Ancient British coins? I have asserted 1
that the images are propaganda, not art – that they carry coded
messages from rulers to the people. But these images were created
by craftspeople, ones who may have injected ideas of their own.
How do we deal with the complications here?
A two-step procedure can help. The first step is to determine
whether the creativity of the die-cutter has caused any confusion.
Then, if we suspect it has, we can change the semiotic analysis in
the second step to minimize the effect of that confusion.
The issue of “confusion” needs some explanation. Surely the
rulers would take care to see that their messages were translated
properly onto the coins. However, no ruler would be immune to
the claim that a die-cutter, using skill and creativity, had “made a
more forceful statement of the message”. We have to overcome
two aspects of this creativity when we look at images.
Artistry
Semiotics
Decoration
Artistry, decoration and semiotics
Figure 1
The first is the way the die-cutters used artistry to express
emotions that increase the impact of the image on the viewer. The
second is the way they used decoration to modify images or fill up
empty space to produce a pleasing effect to attract the viewer.
There is no clear boundary between the two, and each overlaps
semiotic expression (figure 1). Indeed, a die-cutter may employ
MARCH 2010 13
oth artistry and decoration on the same image. In general, the
possibility of decoration should be taken as a caution that not
every dot, pellet-in-circle motif, sunburst or flower carries some
deep and complicated semiotic message.
The most difficult job when appraising British coin imagery is
to find the Code that links the image with the intended message.
When artistry and decoration intrude on the semiotics they can
make it easier to find the Code or they can obscure it entirely,
depending on the circumstances.
The biga stater of Cunobeline (figure 2) shows both effects in
action. In the following analysis I will show how the die-cutter
has used artistry to make one Code plain to the viewer. Then, on
the same image, I will show how decoration has made it difficult
to assess the Code of an Amalgamation Switcher. This confusion
causes us to find several possible Codes, leaving us to choose the
most plausible among them.
The reverse of the biga stater carries a main image of two
horses and a wheel, usually interpreted as a biga 2 . Cunobeline’s
name appears below the horses and a large leaf appears above.
Leaves
Figure 3
Cunobeline Biga Stater
Figure 2
Cunobeline’s name would be an Amalgamation Switcher
meaning that he was taking credit for whatever was conveyed by
the rest of the imagery.
Taking the biga first, the die-cutter has used artistry to
enhance the impact of the horses. The image may have been
adapted from Roman denarii 3 , but the die-cutter has exaggerated
its appearance. The legs have been abnormally lengthened and
stretch out from the horses in an unnatural way. The horses are
straining for speed, adding the connotation of violence to the
message. This biga isn’t in a parade, it’s in action – and
Cunobeline is taking credit for that action. Here, the use of
artistry has helped clarify a Code in which the wheel and horses
denote a war chariot, with a connotation of military action. We
need not change our semiotic analysis, because there appears to
be no confusion about the image.
The leaf (figure 3), however, is more problematic. Likely an
Amalgamation Switcher, one immediately suspects it adds the
connotation of “success”, but the Code may be more complicated
than that. The difficulty lies in the form of the leaf. It’s an
elongated, heart-shaped leaf, and one wonders if it denotes a
specific type of plant, one conveying a message well known in pre-
Roman Britain.
In general, heart-shaped leaves are unusual in Celtic imagery.
Jacobthal 4 mentions an Attic cup imported to the Kleinaspargle in
Germany, a first century AD Roman potshard from Knorr, and a
“row-of-hearts” pattern in his gazetteer of images. None of these
is a convincing pointer to Celtic semiotics. Eluere 5 mentions a
sculpture of a vine in gold-covered bronze, and Vouga 6 shows a
heart-shaped leaf on a sword from La Tene. This meager list
suggests the heart-shaped leaf was not a common symbol in the
Iron Age anywhere in Europe.
If an actual plant was intended, a likely one for Britain is
Clematis Vitalba (Traveller’s Joy or Old Man’s Beard). Syringa
(Lilac), a post-medieval introduction to Britain, is unlikely.
Clematis is a climbing shrub that grows aggressively, often
driving out other species of plants. It’s considered intrusive and
dangerous to native species in New Zealand. One might jump to
the conclusion that these traits would be well known in Ancient
Britain, and suggest that the leaf denotes aggressiveness – that
Cunobeline had “smothered” his enemies. Such a suggestion,
while plausible, forces us to project a modern meaning onto a
2000 year old image. This is even less justified than selecting an
image from the Bronze Age to suggest a Code for the leaf. To find
the likely Code, we need to seek evidence closer to the time of the
coin.
Clematis is mentioned in Pliny’s Natural History 7 , dedicated to
the Emperor Titus, and thus written within 75 years of the coin.
He mentions Clematis primarily for its medicinal uses. One, that of
“stopping bleeding”, would be appropriate to a military situation.
He does not suggest that the people in Britain or Gaul attached
any special significance to the plant. There is nothing about
Pliny’s description of Clematis that suggests a Code for the coin
image. This negative evidence, while inconclusive, leaves us with
the suspicion that the die-cutter has used decoration to “improve”
the appearance of the coin. He has engraved a heart-shaped leaf
instead of the type intended by the ruler.
Two other kinds of leaf may have carried the intended
message. Pliny mentions Viscum (mistletoe) 8 as a plant that had
special significance to the Druids. He mentions that it is an
antidote for poisons. If the Code denoted mistletoe, then the
intended connotations might include “Druid involvement” and
“antidote”. This would lead to a second denotation of
“assassination”, with connotations of “treachery” and “survived
an assassination attempt”. The image of a mistletoe leaf above the
horses would have been fairly unattractive. If the die-cutter used
decoration to change it to a heart-shaped leaf, it would have
improved the appearance of the coin.
Alternatively, the intended leaf may have been Laurum
(laurel). A laurel leaf would also have been unattractive, and we
may suspect that the die-cutter improved its appearance via
decoration. Laurel leaves appear on most British staters. Indeed,
as the images on the earliest British staters became increasingly
abstract, the laurel wreath on the head of Apollo came to
dominate. A Code involving the denotation “laurel” and the
connotations of “accomplishment” or “success” is plausible for
the image. This would be a case in which both the image and its
Code had been borrowed from the Greco-Roman world.
But we are left with the unsatisfactory feeling that the heartshaped
leaf has been engraved by a die-cutter intent on
“improving” the image via decoration, but we cannot be sure.
Some possibilities for Codes are:
14 NUMISMATIC CIRCULAR
1) The leaf is simply a decoration, has no meaning, and there
is no Code to find.
2) The first denotation of the leaf is Clematis but we don’t
know the Code’s connotations. We might be tempted to
suggest some based on our modern knowledge of the plant.
3) The first denotation of the leaf was supposed to be mistletoe
and the Code’s connotations may involve religious elites and
treachery. Further Codes may involve an assassination
attempt and survival. Perhaps, the Druids tried to kill
Cunobeline or alternatively they may have saved him by
administering an antidote.
4) The denotation of the leaf was supposed to be laurel
and the Code’s connotations involve “success” or
“accomplishment”.
Faced with four choices, we can now say that the die-cutter has
caused confusion. He has confused modern viewers, and he may
have confused ancient viewers as well.
At this point we change our semiotic analysis, using the
concepts of overcoding and undercoding 9 .
We could overcode the meaning of an image when we have
some understanding of the situation and the culture of the people
involved. We believe we know the Code and have identified the
first denotation and connotations accurately. We then use these to
suggest second and third denotations and connotations. The
result is a large, detailed sememe diagram, full of complicated
meanings.
We could undercode the meaning when we are unsure of the
situation and the culture of the people involved. We do not know
the Code well and can only suggest a possible first denotation and
one or two connotations. The connotations are best left simple,
even vague, to assure we are not stepping beyond the bounds
imposed by our lack of understanding. The result is a small,
uncomplicated sememe diagram, with only simple or vague
meanings. The hope is, given time, our understanding will
improve and allow us to enlarge the diagram.
Using overcoding and undercoding, we can now choose
amongst the four Codes for the leaf.
1) The leaf is simply a decoration. The leaf too large to be a mere
decoration – it ought to have a semiotic role, acting as an
Amalgamation Switcher, modifying the meaning of the
biga. The idea that the leaf is simply a decoration and has no
meaning is the least likely suggestion.
2) The leaf is Clematis. Denoting the leaf as Clematis doesn’t
help our semiotic analysis. We can’t suggest any
connotations based on evidence from the time of the coin.
We just don’t have a good enough understanding of the
situation or the culture of the people. Suggesting
connotations based on our modern knowledge of the plant
and then elaborating the sememe diagram further would be
unjustified overcoding. It is virtually a waste of time to
assert a denotation for an image without adding a plausible
set of connotations. Semiotic workers should reject any
approach that merely gives a denotation for an image,
because the important part of the message usually lurks
in the connotations. The test of a semiotic analysis is how
well the connotations hold up under scrutiny. While
plausible, the denotation of Clematis should be rejected.
3) The leaf was supposed to be mistletoe. The denotation mistletoe
offers the attraction that we have a contemporary
document offering a plausible set of connotations. Druidic
involvement and antidotes for poisons are plausible
connotations for the time. However, we lack a true
understanding of the situation to assert these connotations
are correct. Thus, any sememe diagram involving Druids,
poison and intrigue constitute unjustified overcoding. The
mistletoe denotation is tantalizing and plausible. But we
should reject it until we have a better understanding of the
situation.
4) The leaf was supposed to be laurel. Laurel offers the attraction
that earlier Celtic coins have a laurel wreath as a main
device. The denotation of the leaf as laurel with the
connotation of “success” or “accomplishment” should have
been well understood by local people at the time of
Cunobeline. The image, its denotation and connotations
would have been borrowed from the contemporary Roman
semiotics. By using the single, vague connotation of
“success” we are properly using undercoding in a situation
where we are unsure of the situation or the culture of the
people. Of the four denotations, laurel is the simplest and
most likely choice. The leaf would then be an
Amalgamation Switcher meaning that Cunobeline’s
military action had been successful. It is the kind of message
to be expected on a new ruler’s coinage.
To complete the analysis we have to appraise the obverse
image. The CAMVL denotes Camulodunum, with a connotation
that it is the place of minting or perhaps the Capitol. The double
row of dots should denote a laurel wreath, with the connotation
of “success”, and the four heart-shaped leaves should again
denote laurel with a connotation of “success”. Thus the obverse of
the coin mimics the message on the reverse. Overall, the message
of the coin is that Cunobeline has been responsible for a
successful military action.
The period 10 B.C. to 10 A.D. has always been a problematic
one for numismatists, because it is almost impossible to identify
the British rulers 10 . Usually it has been interpreted as a period of
unrest, ended by the accession of Cunobeline. The Biga stater, as
a “victory” issue fits with this interpretation well. This message
would have especially resonated with the Warrior Elites. However,
other groups in society may have been persuaded to support
Cunobeline had he ended a period of strife.
As an aside, Cunobeline issued later staters on which the laurel
wreath was replaced by an ear of Barley. Allen 11 suggested the
barley denotation and offered the connotation that Cunobeline
and Verica had a rivalry (Verica placed a vine leaf on his coins).
Hawkes then suggested to Stevens 12 that the barley ear carried the
connotation that Cunobeline championed British beer while
Verica championed Roman wine. He suggested the rivalry was
over a pro-Roman versus anti-Roman stance using beverages as a
metaphor. One wonders today whether we have enough
knowledge of the situation and the culture of the people to assert
these connotations. Should the trio have merely suggested that
the barley ear carried a connotation like “the wealth of the
realm”, and thus used undercoding? Or, alternatively, was Allen
justified in overcoding the sememe to include a rivalry between
two rulers? Finally, was Hawkes completely unjustified in
overcoding the sememe further to suggest beverages as a
metaphor for a political stance? Today, we might re-read the
ancient authors carefully and reach the conclusion that
undercoding was the best choice based on our knowledge of the
situation. But today, we have the benefit of Eco’s writings to help
us see the issues involved more clearly. It would be 25 years after
Stevens’ paper appeared that Eco’s “A Theory of Semiotics” was
published.
Footnotes:
1. Van Arsdell, R.D., 2009, Semiotics of Celtic Coins V – It’s Not Art, NCIRC,
vol. CXVI, p. 194.
2. Evans, J., 1864, The Coinage of the Ancient Britons, p. 296.
3. For example, see Grueber, H. A., Coinage of the Roman Republic in the
British Museum, vol. 3, pl. LIX, number 4.
4. Jacobthal, P. 1944, Early Celtic Art, pl. 26, pl. 219(c), pl. 344 number
379.
5. Eleure, C., 2004, L’Art des Celtes, pl. 304.
6. Vouga, P. 1923, La Tene, pl. II, no. 3.
7. Pliny, Natural History, XXIV, 88.
8. Pliny, Natural History, XVI, 95, and XXIV, 6.
9. Eco, Umberto, 1976, A Theory of Semiotics, pp. 133 – 136.
10. For example, see diagram, Allen, D.F., 1944, The Belgic Dynasties of
Britain and their Coins, Archaeologia, vol. CX, pp. 44 – 45.
11. IBID, p. 10.
12. Stevens, C.E. 1951, “Britain Between the Invasions (B.C. 54 – A.D. 43), in
Aspects of Archaeology in Britain and Beyond” Essays Presented to O.G.S.
Crawford, p. 342.
MARCH 2010 15
Book Reviews
Byzantine Coins in Central Europe between the 5th and 10th
Century, Ed. Marcin Woloszin, MORAVIA MAGNA, Seria Polona,
vol III, Krakow, 2009. 684 pp. £60.
This work publishes 37 papers read at a conference organised
by the Polish Acadamy of Arts and Sciences and the Institute of
Archaeology of the University of Rzeszov between 23 and 26
April 2007 although five are represented only by the abstracts
submitted to the organisers prior to the conference. The five
speakers were, for some reason, later unable to supply the full
texts of their spoken papers. These are starred below.
Of these papers 26 are published in English, 10 in German and
one in French, but all have a brief summary in English. The
authors, with few exceptions, are German or eastern European
scholars.
The papers are as follows under five general headings (I - V):
I. Romans, Barbarians, Treasures: Historical Interpretation, The
International Cooperation.
1. Tribute und Jahrgelder in fruhmittelalterlichen
Konigsschatzen als Faktoren der Munzdistribution in
Ostmitteleuropa. Matthias Hardt.
2.* A Network for the Study of Coin Finds in Europe.
Georges Depeyrot.
II. Late Antiquity: Empire.
3.* From Aetius to Clovis: An unpublished argenteus struck
at Trier at the end of the Fifth Century. Francois Planet.
4. Invictissimus Avtor - An Unusual Series of Baduila
(Totila): A New Example From Croatia. Zeljko Demo.
5. Coin Hoards from Late 6th and 7th Century Discovered
in the Republic of Macedonia. Maja Hadzi-Maneva.
6.* Single Finds from the 5th Century A.D. in Dobrogea.
Delia Moisil, Gabriel Talmatchi and Gabriel Custurea.
7.* Some Guiding Remarks on Byzantine Coin Circulation
in Dobrogea (6th - 7th C. A. D.). Gabriel Custurea.
8. La Circulation Monetaire a (L)IBIDA (Scythie Mineure)
du Ve Siecle au Debut du VIIe Siecle. Mihaela Iacob.
III. Migration Period.
9. Ost-und westromische Goldmunzen des 5.
Jahrhunderts im Karpatenbecken. Peter Prohaszka.
10. Spatromische und volkwanderungszeitliche
Munzhorte und andere Munzefunde im Nordlichen
Karpatenbecken. Eva Kolnikova and Karol Pieta.
11. Germanic Gold Bracteates from the Hoard in Zagorzyn
near Kalisz. Aleksander Bursche.
12. Remarks on the Inflow of Roman Coins into Southern
Poland in the Second Half of the 4th and in the 5th
Centuries A.D. Jaroslaw Bodzek.
13. A Solidus of Theodosius II from Opaka in the context of
other finds from District Lubaczow dated to AD 5th
Century. Marcin Piotrowski and Grezgorz Dabrowski.
14. Der Zufluss von Solidi in die sudlichen Ostseegebiete.
Renata Ciolek.
15. Late Roman and Byzantine Coins found in Denmark.
Helle W. Horsnaes.
16. Solidus Finds in the Northern Lands. Tuukka Talvio.
IV. Migration Period: Barbaricum (6th - 7th Century).
17. Byzantinische Munzen des ausgehenden 5 bis
beginnenden 8 Jahrhunderts in den ostlichen Regionen
des Merowingerreiches. Jurg Drauschke.
18. Der byzantinischen und Karolingischen Fundmunzen
aus dem osterreichischen Bereich der Avaria - Eine
Neubearbeitung. Heinz Winter.
19. Finds of the Early Byzantine Coins of the 6th and the
7th Century in the Territory of the Czech Republic. Jiri
Militky.
20. Finds of Byzantine Coins from the 5th - 10th Century
from the Southern Part of the Carpathian Basin. Jan
Hunka.
21. Antike Munzen in Gebiet der Slowakei aus der Zeit des
Awarischen Khaganats. Jozef Zabojnik.
22. Der Fund von Kleinschelken (Siebenburgen, 1856) im
Licht neuertdeckter Archivdaten. Peter Somogyi.
23. Face Value or Bullion Value? Early Byzantine Coins
beyond the Lower Danube Border. Andrei Gandila.
24. Byzantinische Munzen aus dem 6 - 7 JH in Polen.
Marcin Woloszyn.
25. Byzantine Coin Finds from the 6th to the 8th Century
between Elbe and Oder and their Meaning for
Settlement History. Felix Biermann.
26. Byzantine Coins of the 5th - 9th Century and their
Imitations in the Central and Eastern Ciscaucasus. Yurij
A. Prokopenko.
V. Middle Ages.
27. Coin Finds of Emperor Constantine V Copronymus in
Southern Croatia. Tomislav Separovic.
28. The Byzantine Empire and the Territories North of the
Lower Danube (9th - Early 11th Cent.). The Numismatic
Evidence. Ernst Oberlander-Tarnoveanu.
29. Byzantine Coins from the 9th - 10th Century from the
Czech Republic. Nada Profantova.
30. The Roman and Byzantine Coins in the Hoard Find
from Kelc (Czech Republic). Lubos Polansky and Lenka
Vacinova.
31. Some Remarks on the Beginnings of the Influx of
Byzantine Coins into Wielkopolska in the 10th Century.
Adam Gliksman.
32. A Gilded Miliaresion from the Excavations in the Market
Square in Cracow. Maciej Salamon.
33. Funde byzantinische Munzen in Estland. Ivar Leimus.
34. A Byzantine Solidus Coin from the Research of B. A.
Zvizdec’kyj in Iskorosten. Andrei V. Petrauskas.
35. A Remarkable 10th Century Warrior Burial from the
Tumulus on the Territory of Prince Volodymyr’s Town
in Kyiv, Ukraine. Michail M. Ievlev.
36.* New Facts in the Numismatics of Mediaeval Cherson.
Eugeny Ja. Turovsky.
37. From Money-Trade to Barter. Economic
Transformations in Byzantine Crimea (10th - 13th
Century). Thomas Bruggemann.
As can be seen from the titles, the topics are wide-ranging,
several being quite general such as nos. 7, 9, 17, 22 and 28 while
others are more specific such as nos. 3, 4, 11, 13, 32 and 34.
It seems unlikely that this book will appeal to those who merely
collect by catalogue numbers but for other students of Byzantine
coins it is surely a book worth adding to their libraries. Most of the
articles have lengthy bibliographies - in fact the grand total of
referenced works for all the articles is over 2200. Some, generally
books such as RIC, DOC and MIB are obviously duplicated but the
majority of references are to articles which will surely be
unknown to most of the readers of this review. In addition, for
those interested in following up any of these topics, the postal and
e-mail addresses of all the authors appear at the end of their
papers.
S.B.
16 NUMISMATIC CIRCULAR
‘Monete Bizantine di Sicilia’, Marco Anastasi, 2009, 252 pp. £85.
This book, despite its price, may be useful to those who specialise
in collecting Byzantine coins struck in Sicily since Spahr is out of
print and it illustrates some 600 coins. However, it is by no means
a work of scholarship. The major numismatic works consulted
are ‘Byzantine Coins and their Values’, the 1930 Ratto catalogue,
Andreas Sommer’s catalogue of the Byzantine coins in the
University of Gottingen, Spahr and two recent catalogues of
Sicilian Byzantine bronze coins by Calciati (2000) and Trivero
(2006).There is no mention of the catalogues of the coins in DO,
the BM, the BN, the Barber Institute, Berlin or the Hermitage
(published by Tolstoi) but only five private Italian collections and
the ANS.
The material for this work appears to have been culled from
trawling the internet – no fewer than 68 dealers’ websites are
listed. The illustrations have possibly come from the same sources
and vary in quality.
There is a brief historical introduction to each reign,
presumably taken from Ostrogorsky’s history of the Byzantine
empire since this is the only historical work listed in the sources
used. The shortcomings of this work can be seen from that
although Mezezius is mentioned as rebelling on the death of
Constans II, his coinage, solidi and tremisses are omitted.
However, there are several coins listed that were unknown to
Spahr and a number of new varieties (variant legends etc.) of
several types, mainly gold and not all illustrated. It seems a little
unnecessary to list 46 countermarked coins of Heraclius not just
by the form of the countermarks but listing each undertype
known to the author.
Since the major catalogues are neither mentioned in the
bibliography nor used as references it is not surprising that minor
articles have been overlooked such as that in the Numismatic
Circular in February 1981 which published the first known
specimen of S. 1114A; MIB 213 which is illustrated by Hahn and
is possibly the photo reproduced in this book. Both the author of
1981 article and Hahn published this coin and other coppers of
Constans as bearing indictional and not regnal dates and this was
followed by Seaby’s ‘Byzantine Coins and their Values’. The
author of this book, while using Seaby’s reference has reverted to
describing the years of the reign as regnal.
The book comes with a small insert giving valuations in euros
for all but the rarest coins. This book is now the major gathering
of this material available in print.
S.B.
Obituaries
David Magnay
3rd October 1942 - 3rd September 2009
David Edgar Magnay, TD, RAPC, a
very well-known figure in the
paranumismatic world and a longtime
expert in the fields of toy and
model money, died at the Marie
Curie Hospice, Penarth, on 3
September 2009 after a short
illness. He was 66 years old.
Born on 3 October 1942,
David spent his early years in the
UK and Singapore, where his
Father had been incarcerated in a
PoW camp after the fall of the city.
He was educated at Mowden Hall in
Northumberland and Bryanston and
joined Lloyds Bank in Southampton at
the age of 18. His banking career took him all over the UK and I
first met him when he lived at Laverstock, just outside Salisbury.
Already a keen collector of coins, especially crowns, David and his
wife Georgina joined our Society in 1969 and we were sorry to
lose them from our number when work took him to Chandlers
Ford, then Tunbridge Wells, West Kirby (where David was senior
manager of a Liverpool city centre branch) and finally Cardiff,
where he was the bank’s senior commercial manager. Made
redundant by the bank in the late 1980s, he and two colleagues
founded the Business Mortgage Company in Cardiff in 1989,
from which he retired 11 years ago.
David also spent a long time - no less than 37 years - in the
Territorial Army. Joining the Army Emergency Reserve in
Southampton in 1961 he was told by the recruiting sergeant
that as ‘you work in the bank, lad, you are therefore in the Royal
Army Pay Corps.’ Latterly David was paymaster and regional
administrative officer for 104 Regiment, Royal Artillery, in
Newport, putting in about 100 days service a year. He was proud
of his Territorial Decoration, qualifying for the medal after 15
years and earning three further clasps, each representing a
further six years’ service.
Although as a schoolboy David collected stamps, the job with
Lloyd’s fired an enthusiasm for coins in 1960 which never left
him. He became a considerable authority on toy coins and model
money, forming as a consequence a particularly notable
collection of fractional farthings and Victorian pattern pennies by
the Birmingham diesinker Joseph Moore (1817-92), which was
dispersed by DNW in February 1999. In the 1970s and 1980s he
contributed several articles to the pages of Spink’s Numismatic
Circular on model money and collaborated extensively with the
late David de Sola Rogers in the latter’s Toy Coins, published in
1990. Building on the original series of monographs by Roy
Hawkins in BNJ from 1960-8, David compiled A Catalogue of
Advertising Imitation Spade Guineas and Half-Guineas, which
appeared in 1997; he, along with David Young and Gavin Scott,
subsequently became the principal collaborators in Bryce
Neilson’s 2003 Galata publication, A Thousand Guineas, A
Checklist of Imitation Guineas and their Fractions. David
attended his first Token Congress in 1987 and in recent years was
a regular attender, sometimes accompanied by Georgina.
Apart from coins, David had many other interests. He had been
a member of lions clubs in Tonbridge, Wallasey and Cowbridge
and he and Georgina were two of the instigators of the Vale of
Glamorgan National Trust Association, for which he served as
treasurer for seven years. He was a founder member and
subsequent chairman of Vale Probus Club and chairman of
Cowbridge Allotments Association, even broadcasting on
horticultural matters for Harlech TV, and had recently served on
the town council of Cowbridge with Llanbethian. Testifying to the
high esteem in which he was held locally, over 200 people
attended his funeral at Holy Cross Church, Cowbridge, on 16
September.
David’s wife, Georgina, whom he married in 1965, and their
triplets, Claire, Andrew and Kate, survive him.
PETER PRESTON-MORLEY, SECRETARY
WESSEX NUMISMATIC SOCIETY
MARCH 2010 17
Ann Elizabeth Johnston
12th July 1944 - 2nd January 2010
Ann was born 12 July 1944 in
Banff, Scotland. Her father, of
no particular education, was a
meteorologist in the Royal Air
Force who took advantage of
the opportunities available to
the de-mobbed after the war
and went on to attain the PhD
in Physics (UCL), to work on a
high theoretical level at
Harwell, and then to turn
about to teach happily in the
state school system in Oxford.
From him, and from her
Scottish mother, Ann
absorbed the joy of learning
and the need for exactitude in
judgement.
After an excellent education at Bath High, Ann entered UCL to
take the degree in Economics: her ever-adventurous mind drew
her to a kind of study to which she had not been previously
exposed. She received the degree with First Class Honours, and
regretted ever after that she had wasted her time on such an
unprofitable subject.
A grant to spend a year at the University of Michigan led to an
introduction to the Classics, and particularly to ancient
numismatics. Her earliest readings in Babelon’s Traité excited the
notion that an Ionian issue of Persian staters with a seeming
shapeless reverse punch actually bore a map of the Maeander
valley and surrounds: she had discovered the earliest preserved
map.
Returning to London, Ann enrolled in the MA programme in
Economics at U.C. to get the advanced degree. At the end of the
programme she failed her examinations miserably, having spent
the whole year reading Herodotus and perfecting her Greek with
John Barron, and publishing the earliest-map article in the
Journal of Hellenic Studies (1967). It was just the first of several
important works of numismatic scholarship to be published over
a period of 40 years, from the revision of Noe’s two Metapontum
volumes and the creation of the third and final volume, to Greek
Imperial Denominations (2007), a masterly study of a subject of
bottomless difficulty. In between, there appeared several
important articles and reviews, e.g. her clarification of the
difficult problem of the identification of the two “Antonini”,
Caracalla and Elagabalus (ANSMN, 1982), and “Caracalla’s
Path”, on the coinage of emperor’s visit to Asia Minor in 214/5, a
professionally exact demonstration as to what could be done with
numismatic evidence when properly understood (Historia, 1983).
She was also a contributing author to the publication of the
excavation coins from Sardis, covering the Greek and Greek
Imperial. Her reviews are well-known for the exactitude that she
required of her authors, some of whom thanked her.
Ann never held an academic post, although she held a
research fellowship at Clare Hall, her Cambridge University
college. She worked professionally as an editor and translator, first
for the Cambridge University Press, later, when she lived in Paris,
for the Club of Rome, the OECD, several journals, and privately.
Her interests in art and architecture, in history, in learning were
boundless. Besides her scholarly publications she contributed to
studies of the population of Cambridgeshire (“broken down by
age and sex”); her “Mrs Buttrey’s Guide to the Afternoon Teas of
East Anglia” (3 editions) was well known to a select public – it
could not be published because of her trenchant observations on
some inadequate teas; and at her death she had all but finished a
Guide to the Trees of the Cambridge University Botanic Garden –
it will be published posthumously.
Ann was immensely energetic in both mind and body. No
exhibition, concert, opera, film, or good book escaped her
scrutiny. She cooked like a professional and read cookbooks as
others read novels. She was a rare female member of a group of
British Alpine hikers which met annually on the continent, and
was composed entirely of the great and the good. She herself
hiked whenever possible, finding particular pleasure in the
scenery and flora of the Swiss Alps, the Czech Republic, and
Caucasian Georgia. Ann played a vigorous game of tennis until
no longer able, and was as well an accomplished kayaker.
In all this activity, in all her life, she made, and kept in touch
with, innumerable friends, in many countries, both within the
academy and without. Some she helped to support in their need.
Ann was married to T. V. Buttrey 1967-1980. She died on 2
January 2010 at the age of 65 in the Arthur Rank Hospice,
Cambridge, after eight years of coping intelligently with the
ravages of mandibular cancer. She left her entire estate to be
divided among a variety of charities, principally Saving Faces, a
medical charity dedicated to research in facial surgery, and Clare
Hall, for an endowment for graduate study in the humane
disciplines.
A Bibliography of Works Published by Ann Johnston:
“The Earliest Preserved Greek Map: A New Ionian Coin Type”,
in Journal of Hellenic Studies 87 1967, pp. 86-94
“Maps on Greek Coins of the 4th Century B.C.”, in Imago
Mundi 25 1971, pp. 75-76
“New Problems for Old: Konrad Kraft on Die-sharing in Asia
Minor” (review article on Konrad Kraft, Das System der
kaiserzeitlichen Münzprägung Kleinasien – Materialen und Entwürfe
(Berlin, 1972)), in NumChron 134 1974, pp. 203-207
“The Intermittent Imperials: the Coinages of Lycia, Lycaonia,
and Pisidia” (review article on Hans von Aulock, Die Münzprägung
des Gordian III und der Tranquillina in Lykien (Istanbul, 1974);
Münzen und Städte Lykaoniens (Istanbul, 1976); Münzen und
StädtePisidiens (Istanbul, 1977)), in NumChron 140 1980,
pp. 205-211
“The Greek Coins”, in T.V. Buttrey et al., Greek, Roman and
Islamic Coins from Sardis, (Cambridge MA, 1981), pp. xiv-xvii,
1-89
“Caracalla or Elagabalus? A Case of Unnecessarily Mistaken
Identity”, in American Numismatic Society Museum Notes 27
1982, pp. 97-147
“Die Sharing in Asia Minor: the View from Sardis”, in
Proceedings of the International Numismatic Convention on Greek
Imperials = Israel Numismatic Journal 6-7 1982-3, pp. 59-78
“Caracalla’s Path: the Numismatic Evidence”, in Historia 32.1
1983, pp. 58-76
“The Denominational System of the Greek Imperials of Bizye
in Thrace”, in NumChron 143 1983, pp. 231-239
“Hierapolis Revisited”, in NumChron 144 1984, pp. 52-80
“The Coinage of Metapontum, parts 1 and 2” (New York,
1984) – a re-edition of S. P. Noe’s title = American Numismatic
Society Notes and Monographs nos. 32 and 47 (2nd edd.)
“The So-called ‘Pseudo-Autonomous’ Greek Imperials”, in
American Numismatic Society Museum Notes 30 1985, pp. 89-112
Review of Rubrecht Ziegler, Städtisches Prestige und kaiserliche
Politik. Studien zum Festwesen im 2. und 3. Jahrhundert n. Chr.
(Düsseldorf, 1985), in NumChron 148 1988, p. 240
18 NUMISMATIC CIRCULAR
Review of E. Levante et al., Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum,
Switzerland I, Levante – Cilicia (Zürich, 1986), in NumChron 148
1988, pp. 243-4
“The Bronze Coinage of Metapontum”, in Georges Le Rider
et al. edd., Kraay-Mørkholm Essay: Numismatic Studies in Memory
of C.M. Kraay and O. Mørkholm (Louvain-la-Neuve, 1989),
pp. 121-136
Review of K. Butcher, Roman Provincial Coins: an Introduction to
the ‘Greek Imperials’ (London, 1988), in NumChron 149 1989,
pp. 236-238
“The Coinage of Metapontum, part 3” (New York, 1990) –
completing the work begun by S. P. Noe = American Numismatic
Society Notes and Monographs no. 165
“La double vie de William Henry Waddington”, in Bulletin de la
Société Française de Numismatique 49.10 1994 pp. 959-963
Review of David MacDonald, The Coinage of Aphrodisias
(London, 1992), in NumChron 154 1994, pp. 306-310
“Aphrodisias Reconsidered”, in NumChron 155 1995, pp. 43-
100
“Greek Imperial Denominations in the Province of Asia”, in
Johannes Nollé et al, Internationales Kolloquium zur kaiserzeitlichen
Münzprägung Kleinasiens, 27-30 April 1994 (Milan, 1997),
pp. 205-221
“Questions of Survival”, in Richard Ashton and Silvia Hurter
edd., Studies in Greek Numismatics in Memory of Martin Jessop Price
(London, 1998), pp. 155-162
Review of Michael Matzke and Dietrich Mannsperger, Sylloge
Nummorum Graecorum Deutschland. Univ. Tübingen 6. Phrygien-
Kappadokien (Munich, 1998), in NumChron 160 2000 p.385
“Metapontum”, in N.K. Rutter ed., Historia Numorum 2 I
(London, 2001), pp. 130-142
Review of Johannes Nollé, Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum
Deutschland. Pfälzer Privatsammlunger 5, Pisidien und Lykaonien
(Munich, 1999), in NumChron 161 2001, pp. 368-370
Review of Wolfgang Szaivert and Claude Daburon, Sylloge
Nummorum Graecorum Österreich. Sammlung Leypold I, Pontus-
Lydien (Vienna, 2000), in NumChron 162 2002, pp. 445-449
Greek Imperial Denominations ca. 200-275: A Study of the Roman
Provincial Bronze Coinages of Asia Minor (London, 2007) = Royal
Numismatic Society, Special Publication no. 43
Review of Christopher Howgego et al. edd., Coinage and Identity
in the Roman Provinces (Oxford, 2005), in American Journal of
Archaeology 111 2007, pp. 176-177
Contribution to W.E. Metcalf ed., The Oxford Handbook of Greek
and Roman Coinage, in press
T.V. BUTTREY
Dr. J. S. “Stoffel” Vogelaar
It was with great sadness that I
learned that Stoffel Vogelaar
had passed away unexpectedly,
aged sixty, on the 2nd January
this year. I had not known him
long; in fact I had known his
books and coins longer. In
September 2007, whilst on a
visit to Spink in London, I was
able to buy a few books from
the “Vogelaar Library” that had
recently been purchased and
was also given the opportunity
to inspect his Romano-British
coins that were being prepared
for sale. I left that afternoon
hoping to be able to buy some of
these coins and wondering who Dr J S Vogelaar was.
Over the next eighteen months, I managed to acquire a few
more books from the library and a few coins from the various
auctions at which they were sold but I still knew very little about
the man. Then in early 2009, Dr Vogelaar contacted me to ask if I
would be prepared to write an article about his coin collection.
Over the next few months we had regular contact, mostly by
email, mostly about the article but increasingly about the
Romano-British London Mint coinage that is a particular study
area of mine. I became used to having Stoffel there – I would
email him in the morning and the reply would appear later that
day. Always useful, but also challenging where necessary, backed
up by his heavily annotated RIC.
Stoffel was born in a small village, Puttershoek, just south of
Rotterdam in the Netherlands, where his parents owned a farm.
He was an only child with a talent for languages, studying Latin
and Greek, as well as French, German and English, he also
acquired a basic knowledge of Russian and Spanish. He disliked
cities and preferred life in the country; having been to Ireland on
holidays he fell in love with the West of Ireland. Stoffel and his
wife Ann decided to sell their home in Holland and move to
Mulranny in 1977. He enjoyed the rural life and kept busy
reading, writing and extending his knowledge of history and
economics. In 1980, their daughter Ann was born, and Tom
three years later. When his father died and left his farm to him,
Stoffel decided to sell the farm and stay in Ireland, buying a farm
in Liscarney.
Stoffel was a great collector, he did not publish, but amassed a
large collection of Romano-British coinage in its widest sense. The
backbone of this collection were the coins of the period 287 to
325 AD; the coins of the breakaway empire of Carausius and
Allectus and subsequent issues of the Tetrarchies and
Constantine at the London Mint. He began collecting these coins
in the 1980’s and managed to combine this interest with another
passion – computers. Computers were the future, he believed, and
he quickly became quite expert, using the internet to expand his
collection and knowledge. He was a member of both the British
and Royal Numismatic Societies and was appreciated for his
expert knowledge, advising collectors and dealers alike. Stoffel
was a quiet, private person though and was happiest at home,
with his family, books, coins and his computer.
Following a period of ill-health, Stoffel decided to dispose of his
numismatic collections and from 2007 to 2009 there was a series
of sales that will be detailed in the forthcoming article in “The
Celator” magazine along with the interview conducted with
Stoffel in the months preceding his death.
Stoffel had a deep knowledge of Romano-British coinage and it
is to be regretted that this is no longer available to students of
these series. It was Stoffel’s dream that, one day, a formal
catalogue of his collection would be published. That now seems
unlikely, but as Stoffel said to me, “Never say never”.
LEE TOONE
MARCH 2010 19
The Numismatic Circular Published since 1892
A list of Ancient, British and Foreign Coins, Tokens, Medals and Numismatic Books
Offered for sale at fixed prices
Please be aware that payment made by
VISA or MASTERCARD now carries an additional charge of 2%,
no surcharge is applied on Debit cards
Greek Coins
GK2860 Sicily, Syracuse (c.344-317 BC), Æ Litra, head of Persephone left,
wreathed with corn, ΣYPAKOΣION, rev. Pegasos flying left, Σ below
(SNG ANS 527; SNG Cop. 733), dark green patina, unusually fine, about EF
£400
GK2855 Lucania, Velia (c.365-350 BC), ¿ Didrachm (7.76g), head of Athena
left, wearing crested helmet ornamented with gryphon, P behind,
rev. YEΛHTΩN, lion at bay right, Φ above (Williams 264; Hist. Num. 1284),
good VF-almost EF £800
GK2861 Sicily, Syracuse, Hieron II (274-216 BC), ¿ 16 Litrai (13.49g),
diademed and veiled head of Queen Philistis, wife of Hieron, left, wreath
behind, rev. BAΣIΛIΣΣAΣΦIΛIΣTIΔOΣ, Nike holding reins of a walking quadriga
right, Φ above (SNG ANS 874), toned, almost EF £1,275
GK2856 Sicily, Akragas (c.480 BC), ¿ Didrachm (8.64g), eagle standing right,
AKPA, rev. crab above female head right (Jenkins, Gela, pl. 37,19), rare, almost
EF £1,000
GK2862 Kingdom of Thrace, Saratokos (late 5th cent. BC), ¿ Trihemiobol
(.67g), youthful male head right, with hair long on neck, rev. ΣAPATOKO round
large monogram of ΣΔ within incuse square (Youroukova 31-37), scarce,
about VF £150
GK2857 Sicily, Akragas (c.240-212 BC), Æ 23mm, laureate head of Zeus right,
rev. eagle standing facing on thunderbolt, wings spread, head turned right,
MN. ACILI (cf. SNG ANS 1148), olive-green patina, VF £200
GK2863 Uncertain Thraco-Macedonian (c.500 BC), ¿ Tetrobol (2.63g),
horseman right, rev. quadripartite incuse square (SNG ANS 1014), grainy
surfaces, very rare, good F £200
GK2858 Sicily, Selinos (c.530-510 BC), ¿ Didrachm (7.66g), selinon leaf,
rev. incuse square divided into twelve diagonal compartments, four of which
are raised (cf. SNG ANS 683), well centred on a broad flan, edge smoothed from
mounting, minor crack in flan, VF £550
GK2859 Sicily, Syracuse (c.405-400 BC), Æ Hemilitron, head of Arethusa left,
hair bound with ampyx and sphendone, barley-ear behind, rev. ΣY-PA
within spokes of wheel, a dolphin in each of the other two quarters
(SNG ANS 403-410), a very pretty obv. die, almost EF £175
GK2864 Kingdom of Thrace, Lysimachos (305-281 BC), ¿ Tetradrachm
(17.15g), Pella, diademed head of Alexander the Great right, with horn of
Ammon, rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΛYΣIMAXOY, Athena enthroned left, holding Nike
crowning king’s name, and leaning left elbow on shield at her side, a spear
rests behind her, monograms on left and in ex. (Thompson 250), almost EF
£875
20 NUMISMATIC CIRCULAR
GK2865 Kingdom of Thrace, Lysimachos (305-281 BC), ¿ Drachm (4.20g),
Ephesos, diademed head of Alexander the Great right, with horn of Ammon,
rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΛYΣIMAXOY, Athena enthroned left, holding Nike crowning king’s
name, and leaning left elbow on shield at her side, a spear rests behind her,
lyre on left, A on throne (Thompson 174), a most attractive portrait, almost
EF/VF £440
GK2871 Kingdom of Macedon, Alexander III, the Great (336-323 BC), ¿
Tetradrachm (17.11g), Babylon, head of young Herakles right, wearing lion’s
skin headdress, rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΛEΞANΔPOY, Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle
and sceptre, MI and axe on left, monogram in wreath under throne
(Price 3753), VF £375
GK2866 Thracian Islands, Thasos (c.435-411 BC), ¿ Stater (8.80g), naked
satyr carrying draped, struggling nymph right, rev. quadripartite incuse
square (SNG Cop. 1017), dark gray tone, VF £450
GK2872 Kingdom of Macedon, Alexander III, the Great (336-323 BC), ¿
Tetradrachm (17.03g), Miletos, c.295-275 BC, head of young Herakles right,
wearing lion’s skin headdress, rev. AΛEΞANΔPOY, Zeus enthroned left, holding
eagle and sceptre, monogram on left (Price 2150), EF £550
GK2867 Kingdom of Macedon, Philip II (359-336 BC), Æ 18mm, young male
head (Apollo ?) right, hair bound with taenia, rev. ΦIΛIΠΠOY, jockey on
galloping horse right, Λ over pellet below (SNG ANS 935), good VF £95
GK2873 Kingdom of Macedon, Alexander III, the Great (336-323 BC), Æ
20mm, lifetime issue, head of young Herakles right, wearing lion’s skin
headdress, rev. AΛEΞANΔPOY, club and bow in case, E below (Price 304),
large flan, dark brown patina, good VF £120
GK2868 Kingdom of Macedon, Alexander III, the Great (336-323 BC), ¡
Stater (8.52g), Babylon, head of Athena right, wearing triple-crested helmet,
snake on bowl, rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΛEΞANΔPOY, Nike standing left, holding wreath
and stylis, MI on left, monogram in wreath behind (Price 3748), lustrous, EF
£2,600
GK2874 Caria, Chersonesos (c.510-480 BC), ¿ Drachm (5.77g), forepart of
lion right, jaws open, rev. XEP (?), bucranium, within incuse rectangle
(cf. Cahn, Knidos, pl.10, 17-20), the reverse legend appears to read ΣAP. A most
interesting coin, very rare, toned, VF £800
GK2869 Kingdom of Macedon, Alexander III, the Great (336-323 BC), ¿
Tetradrachm (17.26g), Pella, head of young Herakles right, wearing lion’s
skin headdress, rev. AΛEΞANΔPOY, Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and
sceptre, bee alighting on rose on left (Price 206), of exceptional quality, good
EF £1,400
GK2875 Carian Islands, Rhodes (c.125-88 BC), ¿ Hemidrachm (1.34g), radiate
head of Helios three-quarters facing, turned slightly right, rev. rose with bud
on right, uncertain symbol (plant?) on left, magistrate ANTAIOC, all in shallow
incuse square (Jenkins, group D, 86; SNG Finland 664 var.), EF £160
GK2870 Kingdom of Macedon, Alexander III, the Great (336-323 BC), ¿
Tetradrachm (17.29g), Arados, head of young Herakles right, wearing lion’s
skin headdress, rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΛEΞANΔPOY, Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle
and sceptre, NE monogram in circle on left, Π under throne (Price 3347 var.),
apparently unrecorded without anchor symbol, good VF £525
GK2876 Cilicia, Tarsos, Satrap Mazaios (361-334 BC), ¿ Stater (10.79g), Baal
enthroned left, head facing, holding eagle, ear of corn and bunch of grapes
in right hand, and a lotus-tipped sceptre in left, Aramaic “Baal tars”,
rev. lion attacking bull left, Aramaic “Mazdai” above, monogram below
(SNG France 333; SNG Levante 106), Baal’s head and eagle not fully struck up,
as often, otherwise very sharp, good EF £750
MARCH 2010 21
GK2877 Cyprus, Amathos (c.350 BC), ¿ Obol (.49g), lion’s head right,
rev. forepart of lion right, head turned to face (Amandry 133B.a; BMC -),
scarce, toned, VF £135
GK2883 Kingdom of Persia (c.420-375 BC), ¿ Siglos (5.57g), the Great King
advancing right, holding spear and bow, rev. oblong incuse punch
(cf. BMC pl. XXV, 26), toned, almost VF £100
GK2878 Kingdom of Syria, Antiochos IV (175-164 BC), Æ 35mm, Antioch,
laureate head of Zeus-Sarapis right, rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY ΘEOY EΠIΦANOYΣ,
eagle standing right on thunderbolt (Seleucid Coins 1413; Svoronos 1416),
flake of metal from beard, otherwise unusually good, almost EF £395
GK2884 Kingdom of Parthia, Vardanes I (AD 40-45), ¿ Tetradrachm (14.49g),
Seleucia Sept. 42, diademed, draped bust left, wart on temple, rev. square
eight-line legend, Vardanes seated right, receiving palm-branch from Tyche
standing before him, date ΓNT above (Sellwood 64.10), VF £160
Ex Peus 11/06, lot 578.
Ex Auctiones 24, lot 362.
GK2879 Kingdom of Syria, Antiochos IX (114-95 BC), ¿ Tetradrachm
(16.24g), Antioch, 110/109 BC, diademed head right with light beard,
rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY ΦIΛOΠATOPOΣ, Athena standing left, holding Nike and
sceptre, Δ and monogram on left, all within wreath (Seleucid Coins 2366),
cabinet tone, about EF/good VF £275
GK2885 Kingdom of Parthia, Vologases I (AD 51-78), ¿ Tetradrachm
(14.58g), Seleucia, May 52, diademed, draped bust left, rev. square legend,
Vologases seated left receiving diadem from Tyche standing before him, date
above (Sellwood 68.7), VF £160
Ex Peus 31/10/07, lot 352.
GK2880 Phoenicia, Tyre (c.AD 4-5), ¿ Shekel (14.08g), laureate head of
Melqarth right, rev. TYP[OY IEPAΣ K]AI AΣYΛOY, eagle standing left, palm-branch
over far wing, club and date PMΣ on left, KP, pellet and monogram on right
(cf. BMC 197; ex Siloam hoard), almost EF £395
GK2886 Indo-Greek Kingdom, Hermaios and Kalliope (c.90-70 BC), ¿
Indian-Standard Tetradrachm (9.69g), conjoined diademed and draped busts
of Hermaios and Kalliope right, BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣΩTHPOΣ EPMAIOY KAI KAΛΛIOΠHΣ, rev.
Kharosthi legend, the helmeted king on galloping horse right, spear, bow and
quiver behind him fastened to horse’s flank, monogram below
(SNG ANS 1317; Bib. Nat. 1, B), very rare, good metal, VF £1,500
GK2881 Mesopotamia, Babylon (c. 322-312 BC), ¿ Tetradrachm (16.65g),
Baal seated left, holding sceptre, rev. lion walking left, Γ above
(SNG Delepierre 3005), VF £250
GK2887 Indo-Greek Kingdom, Strato I (c.125-110 BC), Æ “medium” unit,
draped bust of Herakles right, club over shoulder, BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣΩTHPOΣΣTPATΩNOΣ,
rev. Nike walking right, holding wreath and palm-branch, control-marks
in field, Kharosthi legend (SNG ANS 1012; Bib. Nat. 29A), dark patina,
almost EF £130
GK2882 Kingdom of Characene, Apodakos (c.110-105 BC), ¿ Tetradrachm
(15.78g), diademed, bearded head right, rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΠOΔAKOY, Herakles
seated left on rock, holding club on knee, IΣ in ex. (Alram 496 var.), toned,
very rare, VF £850
GK2888 Indo-Greek Kingdom, Diomedes (c.95-90 BC), Æ “medium” unit, the
Dioscuri standing facing, each holding spear, BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣΩTHPOΣΔIOMHΔOY,
rev. humped bull right, control-marks below, Kharosthi legend
(SNG ANS 1236; Bib. Nat. 10C), dark patina, about EF £160
22 NUMISMATIC CIRCULAR
Roman Coins
All struck at Rome, unless otherwise indicated.
RM4146 Roman Republic (c.211-206 BC), Æ Quadrans, head of young Hercules
right, wearing lion’s skin headdress, three pellets behind, rev. ROMA above
prow of galley right, three pellets below (Crawford 56/5; BMC 255;
RCV 1037), unusually fine, good VF £300
RM4152 P. Cornelius Lentulus Marcellinus (c.50 BC), ¿ Denarius, bare head of
M. Claudius Marcellus (consul 222 BC) right, triskeles behind, MARCELLINVS,
rev. M. Claudius Marcellus, togate, carrying trophy into tetrastyle temple of
Jupiter Feretrius, MARCELLVS COS QVINC (Cr. 439/1; Syd. 1147), the moneyer
recalls the exploits of his illustrious ancestor, who was consul five times, captured
Syracuse in 211BC (hence the triskeles on the obv.), and dedicated the spoils he
took from the Gaulish chieftain Britomartus, who he had slain with his own hands,
in the pictured temple in 222BC, good VF £650
RM4147 M. Aburius Geminus (132 BC), ¿ Denarius, helmeted head of Roma
right, GEM behind, mark of value under chin, rev. Sol in galloping quadriga
right, holding whip, M. ABVRI below, ROMA in ex. (Cr. 250/1; Syd. 487), EF
£165
RM4153 Q. Sicinius and C. Coponius (c.49 BC), ¿ Denarius, diademed head of
Apollo right, star below, Q. SICINIVS III VIR, rev. lion’s skin on club of Hercules
between arrow and bow, C. COPONIVS PR. S.C (Cr. 444/1a; Syd 939), cabinet tone,
EF £385
RM4148 P. Servilius Rullus (c.100 BC), ¿ Denarius, bust of Minerva left,
wearing helmet and aegis, RVLLI, rev. Victory in biga right, holding
palm-branch, P below, P. SERVILI [M F] in ex. (Cr. 328/1; Syd. 601), toned, good VF
£150
RM4154 Q. Caecilius Metellus Pius Scipio (Imperator 47-46 BC), ¿ Denarius,
Africa, head of Africa right, wearing elephant-scalp headdress, stalk of corn
before, plough below, Q. METEL SCIPIO IMP, rev. Hercules standing facing, hand on
hip, leaning on club draped with lion’s skin and set on rock, EPPIVS LEG F C (Cr.
461/1; Syd 1051; Sear 44), good VF £475
RM4149 Faustus Cornelius Sulla (c.56 BC), ¿ Denarius, diademed and draped
bust of Diana right, crescent above, lituus behind, FAVSTVS, rev. Sulla seated
left, being offered olive-branch by Bocchus, king of Mauretania, kneeling
right, while Jugurtha, king of Numidia, kneels behind, his hands bound,
FELIX above (Cr. 426/1; Syd. 879), the moneyer was married to Pompey’s
daughter and was the son of the dictator Sulla; he records here his father’s hand in
the surrender of Jugurtha and the submission of Bocchus while acting as Marius’s
quaestor, toned, almost EF £1,250
RM4155 Augustus (27 BC-AD 14), ¿ Denarius, moneyer M. Durmius,
19/18 BC, head of Honos right, with features of Augustus, M. DVRMIVS III VIR
HONORI, rev. AVGVSTVS CAESAR, Augustus in biga of elephants left, holding
branch (RIC 128; C. 427), rare, good VF £1,450
RM4156 Augustus (27 BC-AD 14), Æ Quadrans, 5 BC, garlanded altar, SISENNA
GALVS III VIR, rev. MESSALLA APRONIVS AAAFF round large S C (RIC 462; C. 425),
good VF £65
RM4150 C. Memmius (c.56 BC), ¿ Denarius, head of Ceres right, wreathed
with corn, C. MEMMI C. F, rev. captive kneeling at foot of trophy of Eastern arms,
C. MEMMIVS IMPERATOR (Cr. 427/1; Syd. 920), toned, good VF £220
RM4157 Tiberius (AD 14-37), ¿ Denarius, Lugdunum, laureate head right,
TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS, rev. PONTIF MAXIM, Livia as Pax seated right, holding
branch and sceptre (RIC 30; C. 16), about VF £250
RM4151 C. Memmius (c.56 BC), ¿ Denarius, laureate and bearded head of
Romulus (Quirinus) right, C. MEMMI C. F –QVIRINVS, rev. MEMMIVS AED. CEREALIA
PREIMVS FECIT, Ceres seated right, holding torch and corn-ears, a snake at her
feet (Cr. 427/2; Syd. 921), toned, almost EF £385
RM4158 Caius (Caligula) (AD 37-41), ¿ Denarius, 40, laureate head right,
C. CAESAR AVG PON M TR POT III COS III, rev. S P Q R / P P / OB C S within oak-wreath
(RIC 28; C. 21), part of edge corroded, some deposit, good F-almost VF £350
MARCH 2010 23
RM4159 Claudius (AD 41-54), Æ As, 42, bare head left, TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M
TR P IMP P P, rev. CONSTANTIAE AVGVSTI, S – C, Constantia standing left in military
dress, right hand raised, left holding spear (RIC 111; BMC 201), smooth dark
patina with a dusting of green, almost EF £330
RM4165 Titus (AD 79-81), Æ 29mm, Judaea, laureate head right, rev. IOVΔAIAΣ
EAΛΩKYIAΣ (Judaea Capta), trophy between seated captive figure of Judaea and
shield (BMC 2; Hendin 745), almost VF £150
RM4160 Galba (AD 68-69), ¿ Denarius, July 68-Jan 69, laureate head right,
IMP SER GALBA AVG, rev. S P Q R / OB / C S within oak-wreath (RIC 128; C. 287a),
surfaces lightly porous, strong portrait, about EF £1,500
RM4166 Trajan (AD 98-117), ¿ Denarius, 114-7, laureate bust right, aegis on
far shoulder, bare chest showing, IMP CAES NER TRAIAN OPTIM AVG GERM DAC,
rev. PARTHICO P M TR P COS VI P P S P Q R, Felicitas standing left, holding caduceus
and cornucopia (RIC 333; C. 192), an unusual bust variety, almost EF/VF
£140
RM4161 Vitellius (AD 69), ¿ Denarius, bare head right, [A VITE]LLIVS GERMANICVS
IMP, rev. CONCORDIA PRAETORIANORVM, Concordia seated left, holding patera and
cornucopia (RIC 66; C. 21), toned, good F £295
RM4167 Trajan (AD 98-117), Æ Sestertius, 104-111, laureate bust left, with
drapery on shoulders, chest bare, IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS
V P P, rev. S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI, S C, Trajan on galloping horse right,
brandishing javelin at a Dacian falling to his knees before him (cf. BMC 838
and note, and RIC 535; obv. die of Strack 374), a very rare heroic bust variety,
natural olive-green patina, some minor pitting, VF-good VF £1,600
RM4162 Vespasian (AD 69-79), ¿ Denarius, 75, laureate head right, IMP CAESAR
VESPASIANVS AVG, rev. PON MAX TR P COS VI, Pax seated left, holding branch
(RIC 772; C. 366), about EF £280
RM4163 Vespasian (AD 69-79), Æ Sestertius, Rome, 71, laureate head right, IMP
CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III, rev. VICTORIA AVGVSTI, S C, Victory standing
right, inscribing shield set on palm-tree, her left foot on helmet, Judaea on
right, seated right, in mournful attitude (RIC, 2nd ed., 221:C. 625), brown
patina, about extremely fine £3,750
Ex NAC 27, 12/5/04, lot 354 (SF6500).
RM4168 Trajan (AD 98-117), Æ Sestertius, Rome, 116, laureate bust right,
drapery on far shoulder, IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GER DAC PARTHICO P M TR P
COS VI P P, rev. ARMENIA ET MESOPOTAMIA IN POTESTATEM P R REDACTAE, S – C, Trajan
standing facing, head right, holding spear and parazonium amid the three
reclining figures of Armenia, Euphrates and Tigris (RIC 642; C. 39), smoothed
green patina, good VF/VF £550
RM4164 Vespasian (AD 69-79) and Titus, ¿ Didrachm, Caesarea, 76-77,
laureate head of Vespasian right, rev. laureate head of Titus right
(RPC 1650; Metcalf 4; Syd. 102), VF £330
RM4169 Trajan (AD 98-117), Æ Dupondius, 112-114, radiate, draped bust
right, rev. DACIA AVGVST, PROVINCIA / S C in ex., Dacia seated left on rock, holding
legionary eagle, with two children before her, one holding bunch of grapes,
the other holding corn-ears (RIC 623a; BMC 992), scarce, about VF £230
24 NUMISMATIC CIRCULAR
RM4170 Hadrian (AD 117-138), ¿ Denarius, 117, laureate, draped and
cuirassed bust right, IMP CAES TRAIAN HADRIANO OPT AVG GER DAC, rev. PARTHIC DIVI
TRAIAN AVG F P M TR P COS P P, PA-X, Pax standing left, holding branch and
cornucopia (RIC 7c; C. 1013), scarce early issue, toned, good VF £200
RM4175 Faustina Jnr, wife of Marcus Aurelius, ¿ Denarius, struck under
Antoninus Pius, draped bust right, her hair waved and coiled on back of
head and bound with band of pearls, FAVSTINAE AVG PII AVG FIL, rev. PVDICITIA,
Pudicitia standing left, drawing veil and raising fold of skirt (RIC 507; C.
176), a charming portrait, minor flan crack, toned, EF £185
RM4171 Hadrian (AD 117-138), Æ As, laureate head right, drapery on far
shoulder, HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, rev. COS III, S – C, Minerva walking right,
brandishing spear and holding shield (RIC 664; BMC 1337), dark brown
patina, almost EF £320
RM4176 Septimius Severus (AD 193-211), ¿ Denarius, laureate head right,
SEVERVS PIVS AVG, rev. COS III P P, Victory advancing left, holding wreath and
palm-branch (RIC 526; C. 102), EF £100
RM4177 Julia Domna, wife of Septimius Severus, ¿ Denarius, draped bust
right, IVLIA AVGVSTA, rev. PVDICITIA, Pudicitia seated left, right hand on breast,
left elbow on throne (RIC 576; C. 168), toned, EF £130
RM4172 Hadrian (AD 117-138), Æ As, 125-128, laureate head right, drapery
on far shoulder, HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, rev. COS [III], S C, galley left, with rowers, a
vexillum at prow, and arched cabin at stern (RIC 674 var; BMC 1345 note =
C. 449), small spots of verdigris, about EF £400
RM4178 Macrinus (AD 217-218), ¿ Denarius, laureate, draped and cuirassed
bust right, IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG, rev. FELICITAS TEMPORVM, Felicitas
standing facing, head left, holding long caduceus and cornucopia (RIC 60;
C. 15), toned, almost EF £175
RM4173 Hadrian (AD 117-138), Æ Dupondius, laureate head right, HADRIANVS
AVGVSTVS, rev. CLEMENTIA AVG COS III P P, S – C, Clementia standing left, holding
patera and sceptre (RIC 714; BMC 1438 var.), smooth dark patina, almost
EF/good VF £320
RM4179 Julia Paula, 1st wife of Elagabalus, draped bust right, IVLIA PAVLA AVG,
rev. VENVS GENETRIX, Venus enthroned left, holding apple and sceptre (RIC 222;
C. 21), sharp, good EF £295
RM4174 Antoninus Pius (AD 138-161), Æ Sestertius, 143/4, laureate, draped
bust right, ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS III, rev. IMPERATOR II, S – C, Victory flying
right, holding trophy (RIC 717b; BMC 1610-1612 var.; C. 434), Antoninus
was awarded the title Imperator for the second time after his victories in Britain.
Most attractive dark green patina, broad flan, EF £3,200
RM4180 Julia Mamaea, mother of Severus Alexander, Æ Sestertius, diademed,
draped bust right, IVLIA MAMAEA AVGVSTA, rev. VENERI FELICI, S – C, Venus standing
right, holding sceptre and Cupid (RIC 694; BMC 190), dark patina, EF/good
VF £300
MARCH 2010 25
RM4181 Maximinus (AD 235-238), ¿ Denarius, laureate, draped and
cuirassed bust right, MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG GERM, rev. FIDES MILITVM, Fides standing
facing, head left, holding standard in each hand (RIC 18A; C. 9), very broad
flan, both circles of dots fully within, about EF £100
RM4187 Aurelian (AD 270-275), Æ Antoninianus, Serdica, radiate, cuirassed
bust right, IMP AVRELIANVS AVG, rev. IOVI CONSER, Aurelian standing right, holding
short sceptre, receiving globe from Jupiter standing left, holding sceptre, S in
ex. (RIC 260; C. 105), well centred on a broad flan, EF £100
RM4182 Gallienus (AD 253-268), Æ Antoninianus, radiate head right, GALLIENVS
AVG, rev. VBERITAS AVG, Uberitas standing left, holding purse and cornucopia, E
on right (RIC287 var.; Göbl 583; RSC 1010c), silvered, EF £50
RM4188 Tacitus (AD275-276), Æ Antoninianus, radiate, draped and cuirassed
bust right, IMP C M CL TACITVS AVG, rev. PROVIDENTIA AVG, Providentia standing left,
holding wand over globe, and cornucopia (RIC 92; C. 100), EF £65
RM4183 Postumus (AD259-268), Æ Antoninianus, Cologne, radiate, draped
and cuirassed bust right, IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG, rev. IOVI VICTORI, Jupiter walking
left, head turned back, brandishing thunderbolt and holding sceptre
(RIC 311), an exceptional example, EF £65
RM4189 Florian (AD 276), Æ Antoninianus, Cyzicus (?), radiate, draped and
cuirassed bust right, IMP C M ANNIVS FLORIANVS AVG, rev. CONCORDIA MILITVM,
Victory standing right, holding palm-branch and raising wreath towards
head of Florian standing left before her in military dress, holding sceptre, S in
ex. (cf. RIC 114 for obv., but gold, and 116 for rev.), about EF £140
RM4184 Postumus (AD259-268), Æ Antoninianus, Cologne, radiate, draped
and cuirassed bust right, IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG, rev. ORIENS AVG, Sol striding left,
right hand raised, left holding whip, P on left (RIC 316 note; RSC 213c), EF
£60
RM4190 Probus (AD 276-282), Æ Antoninianus, Siscia, radiate, cuirassed bust
left, holding spear and shield, IMP C M AVR PROBVS P AVG, rev. VIRTVS PROBI AVG,
Mars walking right, holding trophy and spear, XXIVI in ex. (RIC 816), scarce,
EF £175
RM4185 Victorinus (AD 268-270), Æ Antoninianus, Cologne, radiate, draped
and cuirassed bust right, IMP C VICTORINVS P F AVG, rev. INVICTVS, Sol advancing
left, right hand raised, left holding whip, star on left (RIC 114), EF £38
RM4191 Diocletian (AD 284-305), Æ Antoninianus, Cyzicus (?), radiate, draped
and cuirassed bust right, IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS AVG, rev. CONCORDIA MILITVM,
Diocletian standing right, receiving Victory on globe from Jupiter standing on
right before him, holding sceptre, Γ in field, XXI. In ex. (cf. RIC 306), fully
silvered, EF £70
RM4186 Claudius II, Gothicus (AD 268-270), Æ Antoninianus, radiate,
cuirassed bust right, IMP C CLAVDIVS AVG, rev. AEQVITAS AVG, Aequitas standing
left, holding scales and cornucopia (RIC 14), EF/about EF £40
RM4192 Allectus (AD 293-296), Æ “Quinarius”, “C” mint, radiate, cuirassed
bust right, IMP C ALLECTVS P F AVG, rev. VIRTVS AVG, galley left, with mast, QC in ex.
(RIC 128), dark green patina, good VF/EF £160
26 NUMISMATIC CIRCULAR
RM4193 Constantine I (AD 307-337), Æ Follis, London, 310, laureate, draped
and cuirassed bust right, IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG, rev. SOLI INVI-CTO COMITI, Sol
standing left, right hand raised, left holding globe, T-F in field, PLN in ex.
(RIC 122), EF £75
RM4199 Valens (AD 364-378), ¡ Solidus (4.44g), Antioch, 364-7,
pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right, D N VALENS PER F AVG,
rev. RESTITVTOR REIPVBLICAE, emperor standing facing, head right, holding
labarum and Victory on globe, cross on left, *ANTI* in ex. (RIC 2(d); C. 32),
graffito “B” in rev. field, light obv. scratch, almost EF/VF £695
RM4194 Constantine I (AD 307-337), Æ Follis, London, 320-321, helmeted,
cuirassed bust right, CONSTAN-TINVS AVG, rev. VIRTVS EXERCIT, two captives seated
on ground either side of standard inscribed VOT / XX, PLN in ex. (RIC 185),
EF/good VF £55
RM4200 The Vandals, Hilderic (AD 523-530), ¿ Half Siliqua (1.01g),
Carthage, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right, D N IVSTINVS P A,
rev. FELIX [CARTA], figure of Carthage standing facing, holding ears of corn (?)
(BMC 2; MIB 9), dark “patina”, rare, about VF £200
RM4195 Constantine I (AD 307-337), Æ Follis, London, 323/4, helmeted,
cuirassed bust right, CONSTANTINVS AVG, rev. BEAT TRA-NQLITAS, altar inscribed VOT
/ IS / XX, surmounted by globe, three stars above, PLON in ex. (RIC 263), almost
EF £55
RM4201 Byzantine Empire, Maurice Tiberius (AD 582-602), ¿ Half Siliqua
(.93g), Carthage, facing bust, wearing plumed helmet with pendilia and
consular robes, holding mappa and cross on globe, D N MAVRIC TIb P P A,
rev. cross on three steps between alpha and omega (Sear 554; MIB - ), large
flan, with short crack, dark “patina”, good VF £220
Hammered Coins
HS4023 Early Anglo-Saxon, Sceat, 1.02g, Series Q, bird 1, rev. quadruped left,
pellets in field (N.138; S.836), on a broad flan, VF, scarce £450
RM4196 Constantine I (AD 307-337), Æ Half Follis (2.89g), Trier, c.310-313,
laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, CONSTANTINVS P F AVG, rev. MARTI
CONSERVATORI, helmeted and cuirassed bust of Mars right (cf. RIC 885), rare
issue, brown patina, almost EF £150
HS4024 Kings of Mercia, Burgred (852-874), Penny, 1.11g, type D, moneyer
Cenred (N.426; S.941), nicely toned, EF £950
RM4197 Crispus (Caesar AD 317-326), Æ Follis, London, 323-4, bust left,
wearing plumed helmet and imperial robes, seen from the front, CRISPV-S NOBIL
C, rev. BEAT TRA-N.QLITAS, altar inscribed VOT / IS / XX, surmounted by globe, three
stars above (cf. RIC 275ff), apparently an unrecorded bust variety, more normally
seen on the “Roma” portrait on Urbs Roma issues, about EF £65
HS4025 Kings of Wessex, Ecgberht (802-39), Penny, 1.23g, non portrait type,
West Saxon mint, Winchester?, moneyer Eanwald, SAXONIORVM on three lines,
ECGBEORHT REX, rev. cross EANPALD MOIETA (BMC XX; N.590; S.1041), ragged
edge and some what bent in the ground otherwise VF and extremely rare £1,950
RM4198 Crispus (Caesar AD 317-326), Æ Follis, Arelate, 322, laureate head
right, CRISPVS NOB CAES, rev. CAESARVM NOSTRORVM round wreath containing
VOT / X, T, star in crescent, and A in ex. (cf. RIC 244 and 247), mintmark not
noted for VOT X , EF £50
HS4026 Aethelred II (978-1016), Penny, 1.39g, long cross type, Exeter,
Wynsige, rev. PYNSIGE MΩO EAXE (Hild. 602/4; N.774; S.1151), peck marked on
reverse, otherwise good VF with a strong portrait £425
MARCH 2010 27
HS4027 Cnut (1016-35), Penny, 1.13g, Short cross type, Thetford, Wineman,
rev. PINEMAN ON DIOD (N.790; S.1159), light tone, almost EF £350
HS4032 Edward I, Penny, 1.31g, Berwick-on-Tweed, Blunt class IV, local dies
(N.1078a; S.1415), struck off centre, toned, good VF £100
HS4028 Edward the Confessor (1042-66), Penny, 1.24g, Hammer cross type,
Wilton, Saepine, rev. SÆPINE ON PILTV (N.828; S.1182), unusual portrait with
obverse legend commencing at seven o’clock, light tone, good VF, very rare £900
HS4033 Edward III (1327-77), Penny, 1.11g, pre-treaty period, series G, London,
annulet below bust (N.1205; S.1589), toned, good VF £125
HS4034 Henry V (1413-22), Groat, 3.84g, class C, normal bust, mullet on right
shoulder (N.1387; S.1765), full round coin, toned, bold VF £475
HS4035 Henry V, Halfpenny, 0.44g, class F, London, annulet and trefoil by
crown (N.1411; S.1796), ghosting of reverse on obverse otherwise EF £175
(x2)
HS4029 Henry I (1100-35), Penny, 1.35g, Large profile/cross and annulets type,
London, Eadwine, rev. EDPINE: ON: LVNDE (BMC type 8, N.864; S.1269), edge cut
as normal with this issue, good VF with an excellent portrait and extremely rare
£7,000
A previously unrecorded moneyer for this type at London
HS4036 Henry VI (1422-61), Groat, 3.60g, Leaf-trefoil issue, London, leaf on
breast, m.m. cross fleury / plain cross (N.1484; S.1897), good VF £250
HS4030 Edward I (1272-1307), Penny, London, class 8 (N.1034/1; S.1405),
toned, lovely portrait, a good VF £125
HS4037 Henry VI, Salut d’Or, 3.36g, second type, Rouen, the Annunciation,
pellet stops, rev. cross dividing lis and lion passant, mullet stops, pellet in
annulet under last letter of legend both sides, m.m. lion passant (Elias 270c),
about EF £1,950
HS4031 Edward I, Penny, 1.27g, London, class 4a (N.1023; S.1394), toned,
bold VF £75
HS4038 Edward IV (first reign, 1461-70), Groat, 3.09g, Light coinage, class VII,
London, quatrefoils at neck, fleurs on cusps, m.m. crown (N.1570; S.2000),
toned, nearly EF £225
28 NUMISMATIC CIRCULAR
HS4039 Edward IV (second reign, 1471-83), Angel, 5.08g, class XVI, London,
m.m. cross and four pellets (N.1626; S.2091), reddish tone, bold VF £2,200
HS4044 Henry VIII, Groat, 2.62g, Second coinage, London, Laker bust A
Lombardic lettering both sides, saltires in cross ends, m.m. rose (N.1797;
S.2337C), small flaw by nose, good detail, VF, scarce £450
HS4040 Henry VII (1485-1509), Angel, 5.19g, class V, m.m. pheon (N.1698;
S.2187), a full coin, slight weakness in centre otherwise better than VF £1,950
HS4045 Henry VIII, Halfgroat, 1.26g, Second coinage, Canterbury, Archbishop
Warham, WA by shield, uncertain m.m. (N.1802; S.2343), attractive portrait,
bold VF £200
HS4041 Henry VII, Groat, 3.08g, Tentative issue, reads HENRIC VII, m.m. cross
crosslet (N.1743; S.2254), weak in parts, otherwise toned VF £650
Ex Ivan Buck, lot 375
HS4046 Henry VIII, posthumous coinage, Groat, 2.39g, Southwark, bust 6,
roses in cross ends, m.m. -/E (N.1872; S.2404), weak in part otherwise good
metal with an excellent portrait, VF £425
HS4042 Henry VIII (1509-47), Crown of the Double Dose, 3.73g, Second
coinage, hK [Henry and Katherine of Aragon] both sides, m.m. lis (N.1788;
S.2274), struck from worn dies, otherwise good VF £1,950
HS4047 Mary (1553-54), Angel, 5.01g, class I, annulet stops, reads REGIN, m.m.
pomegranate (Schneider 713; N.1958; S.2490), once cleaned, otherwise VF
and rare £4,250
HS4048 Philip and Mary (1554-58), Sixpence, 2.85g, 1554, full titles (N.1970;
S.2505), minor edge splits and marks, strong portraits, good VF or better £2,250
HS4043 Henry VIII, Sovereign, 12.06g, Third coinage, type 2, Southwark, m.m.
E/S (Schneider-; N.1825; S.2291), double struck in legends, good portrait, bold
VF and rare £13,500
HS4049 Elizabeth I (1558-1603), Groat, 2.03g, second issue, bust 1F, m.m.
cross crosslet (N.1986; S.2556), excellent portrait, about EF and rare thus £400
MARCH 2010 29
HS4050 Elizabeth I, Shilling, 6.09g, sixth issue, m.m. hand (N.2014; S.2577),
pleasing VF £400
HS4054 James I, Shilling, 5.70g, Third coinage, sixth bust, m.m. lis (N.2124;
S.2668), toned, VF £300
HS4051 Elizabeth I, Sixpence, 3.09g, 1592, sixth issue, bust 6C, m.m. tun
(N.2015; S.2578B), toned, good VF £300
HS4055 James I, Halfgroat, 1.04g, Third coinage, m.m. thistle (N.2127;
S.2671), toned, almost EF and rare thus £140
HS4052 Elizabeth I, milled coinage, Shilling, 5.94g, small size, m.m. star
(N.2023; S.2592), lightly toned, nearly very fine £750
HS4056 Charles I (1625-49), Tower, Halfcrown, 14.29g, type 1a2, first
horseman, no ground line, m.m. lis (Brooker 281/278; N.2201; S.2764),
slight metal stress on reverse, otherwise toned, almost EF / good VF with an
impressive provenance £1,850
Ex Brice, Webb and Lingford collections
HS4053 James I (1603-25), ‘fine work’ Laurel, 8.88g, Third coinage, first large
bust, reversed Ns in reverse legend, m.m. spur rowel (Schnieder -; N -;
cf. S.2637), a piece of fine work, perfectly centred on a full flan, nearly EF and
excessively rare £27,500
Ex Christies, 28 April 1987, lot 146
We are not aware of any other specimen of a Fine Work Laurel to have appeared on the market.
HS4057 Charles I, Tower, Shilling, 5.99g, group B, type 1b2, second bust, rev.
plume above shield, no cross fourchée, m.m. castle (Brooker 421/417;
N.2217; S.2785), light tone, bold VF, rare £850
HS4058 Charles I, Tower, Penny, 0.53g, group D, type 3.2, no CR by shield, no
inner circles, m.m. pellets (N.2268; S.2845), toned, good VF, excellent portrait
£125
30 NUMISMATIC CIRCULAR
HS4059 Charles I, Briot’s second milled issue, Sixpence, 2.90g, m.m. anchor
and mullet / anchor (N.2306; S.2860), toned with some underlying brilliance,
good VF £350
HS4060 Charles I, Aberystwyth, Groat, 2.04g, large bust with armour, m.m.
book, (N.2337; S.2892), toned, almost EF £375
The Bobly Collection of Siege Coins
of the English Civil War
Bobly’s interest in siege pieces started in 1962 with the purchase of two Newark
Shillings. Over the past five decades he has amassed an impressive run of this
difficult series including the extremely rare three shilling piece of Carlisle,
examples of all the Newark issues, the four types struck at Pontefract; and copies
of extremely rare coins of Colchester and Scarborough. Bobly developed a
particular fascination with coins struck on flans showing the original plate
gilding and pattern and the collection contain a high proportion of these
interesting pieces.
References:
Brooker – The John G. Brooker Collection, SCBI 33
Hird – The Late Alderman Horace Hird, Glendining and Co. in association
with Spink and Son, 6 March 1974, lots 243 - 284
Nelson – P. Nelson, ‘The Obsidional money of the Great Rebellion, 1642 –
1649’, BNJ 1905, pp. 291 – 359
For further reading on the various sieges see:
Tullie, Isaac ‘A Narriative of the Siege of Carlisle’ republished Michael Moon
Whitehaven, 1988
The Royal Commission for Historical Monuments ‘Newark on Trent, The Civil
War Siegeworks’ HMSO, 1964
Clarke, D. T. (compiled) ‘The Siege of Colchester 1648’ Colchester Borough
Council, 1975
Holmes, Richard H. ‘The Sieges of Pontefract Castle’ Pontefract, 1887
HS4061 Charles I, Aberystwyth, Threepence, 1.47g, small bust, plume 2 before,
rev. plume 1 above shield, m.m. book (N.2340; S.2894), toned, almost EF
£300
HS4062 Charles I, Bridgnorth on Severn, Groat, 1.80g, 1646, m.m. plume
(N.2525; S.3021), toned, VF £575
HB01 Carlisle besieged (October 1644, surrendered 25 June 1645),
Three Shillings, 14.82g, 1645, crowned CR, rosette either side, value below,
rev. OBS CARL 1645 on two lines (Nelson 2, fig. 5; Brooker 1218 – this coin;
N.2634; S.3136), small old scratch on obverse, otherwise toned, good Fine and
extremely rare with a superb provenance
SOLD
Bought Spink 1987
Ex Bridgewater House (302) and Brooker collections
HS4063 Charles I, Farthing, 0.62g, Maltravers type 3, m.m. harp / billet
(N.2282; S.3199), EF £50
HB02 Carlisle besieged, Shilling, 1645, 4.83g, crowned CR, value below,
rev. OBS CARL 1645 on three lines, rosette above and below (Nelson 3, fig. 6;
Brooker 1220; N.2635; S.3138), toned, Fine, very rare £10,000
Bought Baldwin 1968
HS4064 The Commonwealth (1649-60), Halfcrown, 14.69g, 1651, m.m. sun
(ESC 426; N.2722; S.3215), nicely toned, a really good VF £1,500
MARCH 2010 31
HB03 Scarborough besieged (July 1644, surrendered 22 July 1645),
Two Shillings, type III, uniface, castle gateway with two turrets punched
twice, value below (Nelson fig. 9 [Beeston Castle]; Brooker -; cf. N.2652a;
S.3169), an electrotype copy, possibly by Robert Ready £750
Bought 1965
HB07 Newark besieged, Shilling, 5.81g, 1645, 2nd issue, crown dividing CR,
value below, richly jewelled band to crown, eleven pearls to left arch, ten
pearls to right, rev. OBS NEWARKE 1645 (Hird 254; Brooker 1224 rev. N.2640;
S.3142), toned, well centred, good VF, rare £2,250
Bought 1962
HB04 Scarborough besieged, One Shilling and Sixpence, type II, uniface, small
castle gateway, value below (Nelson fig. 22; Brooker -; cf. N.2650k; S.3162),
a British Museum electrotype copy by Robert Ready, marked RR on edge £750
Bought Baldwin 1970
Robert Ready (1811-1901) worked as a duplicator for the British Museum between 1859 and 1897. He
made a series of superb electrotypes of rare coins in the collection some of which were offered for sale to
the public.
HB08 Newark besieged, Ninepence, 4.57g, 1645, 2nd issue, crown dividing CR,
value below, plain jewelled band to crown, eleven pearls to left arch, nine
pearls to right, rev. OBS NEWARKE 1645 on three lines (Hird 260; Nelson type b;
Brooker 1226 obv.; N.2641; S.3145), double struck, otherwise on a flan showing
traces of original plate pattern, toned, bold VF, rare £1,850
Ex Gibbs collection, Schulman, 1960, lot 24;
SNC June 1972 item 6412
HB05 Charles I, Farthing, 0.52g, contemporary forgery of Richmond type 2,
manufactured from official punches, reads CARA, F for E in REX, m.m. coronet
(Peck 123; S.3183A), good fine, rare £175
Bought Seaby 1965
A group of these counterfeit farthings were found in the well at Scarborough Castle and it has been
suggested that they may have been issued during the siege. See Peck pp. 55-56
HB09 Newark besieged, Ninepence, 4.42g, 1645, 2nd issue, crown dividing CR,
value below, plain jewelled band to crown, eleven pearls to left arch, nine
pearls to right, rev. OBS NEWARKE 1645 on three lines (Hird 260; Nelson type b;
Brooker 1226 obv.; N.2641; S.3145), toned, Fine / Fair, very rare £750
Bought 1965
HB06 Newark besieged (several times 1645-6, surrendered 6 May 1646),
Shilling, 6.01g, 1645, 1st issue, crude flat crown, dividing CR, value below,
nine pearls to each arch of crown, rev. OBS NEWARKE 1645 on three lines
(Hird 249; Nelson type a, fig. 28; Brooker 1223; N.2639; S.3141), toned,
a good Fine, very rare £2,250
Bought Baldwin 1970
HB10 Newark besieged, Halfcrown, 14.45g, 1645, 3rd issue, crown dividing CR,
value below, rev. OBS: NEWARK 1645 on three lines (Hird 245; Nelson fig. 29;
Brooker 1221; N.2638; S.3140), usual die flaws on reverse, toned, good VF and
very rare £3,750
Bought 1966
32 NUMISMATIC CIRCULAR
HB11 Newark besieged, Shilling, 5.66g, 1645, 3rd issue, crown dividing CR,
value below, plain jewelled band to crown, ten pearls to left arch, eight pearls
to right, rev. OBS: NEWARK 1645 on three lines (Hird 250; Brooker -; N.2641;
S.3143), on a large flan, toned, VF, rare £1,500
Bought P. Finn, 1999
HB15 Newark besieged, Ninepence, 3.21g, 1646, 4th issue, crown dividing CR,
value below, richly jewelled band to crown, ten pearls to both arches,
rev. OBS: NEWARK 1646 on three lines (Hird 264; Nelson type b; Brooker 1227;
N.2641; S.3144), reverse shows traces of Royal Arms, toned, almost VF most
interesting and rare £2,250
Bought 1967
Charles I left Newark for Oxford on horseback at 11pm on the 3rd November 1645 the night before the
third siege certainly leaving his baggage train behind. This coin is possibly cut from the King’s own silver
with traces of his coat of arms showing on the flan.
HB12 Newark besieged, Ninepence, 4.30g, 1645, 3rd issue, crown dividing CR,
value below, plain jewelled band to crown, rev. OBS: NEWARK 1645 on three lines
(Hird 260 obv; Brooker 1226; N.2641; S.3144), toned, almost Fine, rare £850
Bought Spink 1968
HB16 Newark besieged, Ninepence, 3.02g, 1646, 4th issue, crown dividing CR,
value below, richly jewelled band to crown, ten pearls to both arches,
rev. OBS: NEWARK 1646 on three lines (Hird 264; Nelson type b; Brooker 1227;
N.2641; S.3144), struck on gilt plate showing traces of original pattern, pierced at
12 o’clock, almost VF / about Fine, interesting and rare £750
Bought Baldwin 1999
HB13 Newark besieged, Halfcrown, 15.02g, 1646, 4th issue, crown dividing CR,
value below, rev. OBS: NEWARK 1646 on three lines (Hird 246; Brooker 1222;
N.2638; S.3140A), well centred on a broad flan, toned, VF £2,000
Bought 1966
HB17 Newark besieged, Sixpence, 3.02g, 1646, 4th issue, crown dividing CR,
value below, rev. OBS: NEWARK 1646 on three lines (Hird 267; Brooker 1228;
N.2642; S.3146), slightly double struck on reverse, otherwise toned, good VF,
rare £1,950
Bought 1965, Ex Dyson-Perrins and K V Graham (lot 320) collections
HB14 Newark besieged, Shilling, 5.66g, 1646, 4th issue, crown dividing CR,
value below, richly jewelled band to crown, ten pearls to both arches,
rev. OBS: NEWARK 1646 on three lines (Hird 255; Nelson type b; Brooker 1225;
N.2640; S.3143), slight porosity to flan, VF £1,000
Bought 1962
HB18 Newark besieged, Sixpence, 2.84g, 1646, 4th issue, crown dividing CR,
value below, rev. OBS: NEWARK 1646 on three lines (Hird 267; Brooker 1228;
N.2642; S.3146), struck on gilt plate showing traces of original pattern, pierced at
6 o’clock, about VF, interesting and rare £800
Bought 2004, Ex P. Finn, list 14, item329
MARCH 2010 33
HB19 Colchester besieged (13 June 1648, surrendered 17 August 1648), Half
Unite or Double Crown, 1648, uniface, castle gateway dividing crowned CR,
OBS. COL., date and value below (Nelson fig. 37; Brooker ; N.2637; S.-), a high
quality cast from an electrotype £850
Bought 1974
HB23 Pontefract besieged, in the name of Charles II after the execution of
Charles I, Shilling, 4.36g, 1648, type 2, octagonal shaped flan, crown with
furred band, over HANC: DEVS: DEDIT, on two lines, date below, CAROL: II: D: G: MAG: B:
F: ET: H: REX, rev. castle gateway, flag dividing PC, OBS to left, cannon to right,
POST: MORTEM: PARTRIS: PRO: FILIO (Hird 282; Nelson type IV, fig. 50;
Brooker 1235; N.2649; S.3151), toned, good VF, rare £6,750
Bought B. Hearn 1965
Milled Silver
A superb collection of milled silver coins, many bought from
Spink over the past 25 years.
CROWNS
HB20 Pontefract besieged (seized for the King 2 June 1648, invested Autumn
1648, surrendered 22 March 1649), Shilling, 4.83g, 1648, type 1,
octagonal shaped flan, crown over large C·R, DVM: SPIRO: SPERO in thick lettering,
rev. castle gateway, OBS to left, PC above, hand with sword to right, date below
(Hird 273; Nelson type 1; Brooker 1231; N.2646; S.3148), toned, almost VF,
rare £4,500
MS8942 George III (1760-1820), Crown, 1818 LVIII (ESC 211; S.3787), some
minor contact marks, proof like fields, almost uncirculated £575
Spink, Auction 98, June 1993, lot 198
HB21 Pontefract besieged, Shilling, 14.95g, 1648, type 2, lozenge shaped flan,
large crown over smaller C·R, DVM: SPIRO: SPERO, rev. castle gateway, OBS to left,
value dividing PC to right, date below (Hird 276; Nelson type II;
Brooker 1233; N.2647; S.3149), toned, VF, very rare £5,250
Bought 1965, Ex Lord St. Oswald collection, lot 110
MS8943 George III, Crown, 1819 LIX (ESC 215; S.3787), good VF £100
HB22 Pontefract besieged, in the name of Charles II after the execution of
Charles I, Shilling, 4.31g, 1648, type1, octagonal shaped flan, large crown
over C·R, DVM: SPIRO: SPERO, rev. castle gateway, flag dividing PC, OBS to left,
cannon to right, CAROLVS: SECVИDVS: 1648 (Hird 279; Nelson type I;
Brooker 1234; N.2648; S.3150), toned, good Fine, pleasing and rare £3,500
Ex Gordon Hopkins collection, Baldwin sale 30, lot 287
MS8944 George III, Crown, 1819 LIX, no stops on edge (ESC 215A; S.3787),
toned, EF, rare £475
Bought Spink, March 1996
34 NUMISMATIC CIRCULAR
MS8945 George III, Crown, 1819 LX (ESC 216; S.3787), a couple of minor marks,
toned, EF £325
Bought Spink, October 1984
MS8950 Victoria, Crown, 1896 LX (ESC 311; S.3937), good EF £250
MS8946 George III, Crown, 1820 LX, 20 over 19 (ESC 220A; S.3787), scratches
on obverse, VF, rare £200
MS8951 George V (1910-36), Wreath Crown, 1929 (ESC 369; S.4036), lustrous,
almost as struck £475
MS8947 Victoria (1837-1901), Gothic Crown, 1847 UNDECIMO (ESC 288;
S.3883), edge knocks, uneven tone, VF £750
MS8952 George V, Wreath Crown, 1936 (ESC 381; S.4036), some very light
contact marks, good EF, rare £650
MS8948 Victoria, Crown, 1888, wide date (ESC 298; S.3921), EF, rare £550
MS8953 George VI (1936-52), “VIP” proof Crown, 1951 (ESC 393D; S.4111),
some very light surface marks, frosted design and brilliant field, about as struck,
very rare £750
MS8949 Victoria, proof Crown, 1893 LVI (ESC 304; S.3937), scratch behind
head, some light hairlines, therefore good EF £700
MS8954 Elizabeth II (1952 -), “VIP” proof Crown, 1960 (ESC 393M; S.4143),
some very light contact marks, otherwise with frosted design, highly polished field,
as struck £500
MARCH 2010 35
MS8955 Elizabeth II, “VIP” Specimen Churchill Crown, 1965 (ESC 393o;
S.4144), with “satin” finish, as struck and very rare £1,200
DOUBLE FLORINS
MS8960 William III (1694-1702), Halfcrown, 1698 DECIMO, first bust, modified
large shields (ESC 554; S.3494), flaw in front of face, light tone, EF £750
Glendining, February 1999, lot 43
MS8956 Victoria (1837-1901), Double Florin, 1887, Roman I in date (ESC 394;
S.3922), EF £50
MS8961 George II (1727-60), Halfcrown, 1741 D. QVARTO, young head, roses
(ESC 601; S.3693), well struck, toned, good EF £1,850
Bought Spink, March 1994
MS8957 Victoria, Double Florin, 1888, Arabic 1 in date (ESC 397; S.3923),
mark on reverse, EF £60
HALF CROWNS
MS8962 George II, Halfcrown, 1746 LIMA, D. NONO, old head, plain (ESC 605;
S.3695A), toned, good EF £750
MS8958 Charles II (1660-85), Halfcrown, 1679 T. PRIMO, fourth bust, error
edge, inscribed “DECNS” (ESC 483; S.3367), toned, pleasing VF with a stronger
reverse, the error rarer than ESC indicates £950
SNC, December 2003, MS5665
MS8963 George II, Halfcrown, 1751 V. QVARTO, old head, plain (ESC 610;
S.3696), minor adjustment marks on face, toned, EF, rare £1,750
SNC, February 1990, 370
MS8959 William and Mary (1688-94), Halfcrown, 1689 PRIMO, first busts,
second shield, caul and interior frosted, no pearls (ESC 509; S.3435), a little
softly struck, light tone, EF £1,100
Bonhams, 6 March 2002, lot 231
MS8964 George III (1760-1820), Halfcrown, 1817, “bull” head (ESC 616;
S.3788), toned, about uncirculated £400
Bought Spink, November 1996
36 NUMISMATIC CIRCULAR
MS8965 George III, proof Halfcrown, 1817, “bull” head, edge, milled (ESC 617;
S.3788), some very light cabinet friction, otherwise toned, as struck, rare £2,500
Bonhams, Sale 10603, lot 1256
MS8970 George IV, Halfcrown, 1825, second head, third reverse (ESC 642;
S.3809), light tone, a really good EF £375
MS8966 George III, Halfcrown, 1817, “bull” head, E over R in DEF: (ESC -;
S.3788 var.), toned, about as struck, an unrecorded variety £950
Bonhams, Sale 10603, lot 1225
The E of DEF has been punched in twice over an R.
MS8971 William IV (1830-37), Halfcrown, 1834, WW in script (ESC 662;
S.3834), a few minor marks, rich tone, good EF £375
MS8967 George III, Halfcrown, 1819, small head (ESC 623; S.3789), toned,
almost EF £250
MS8972 Victoria (1837-1901), Halfcrown, 1840, young head type A3, WW
incuse (ESC 673; S.3887), toned, about EF, scarce £500
MS8968 George IV (1820-30), Halfcrown, 1821, first head, first reverse
(ESC 631; S.3807), EF £275
MS8973 Victoria, Halfcrown, 1842, young head type A4, no initials (ESC 675;
S.3888), toned, EF £500
MS8969 George IV, Halfcrown, 1824, first head, second reverse (ESC 636;
S.3808), light tone, almost EF £250
MS8974 Victoria, Halfcrown, 1874, young head type A5, no initials (ESC 692;
S.3889), lustrous, uncirculated £400
Bought Seaby Auction, 23 April 1986
MARCH 2010 37
MS8975 Victoria, Halfcrown, 1874, young head type A5, no initials (ESC 692;
S.3889), some lustre, about uncirculated £400
MS8980 George V (1910-36), Halfcrown, 1911 (ESC 757; S.4011), good EF £80
SNC, August 2008, MS3042
MS8976 Victoria, Halfcrown, 1887, Jubilee head (ESC 719; S.3924), toned,
uncirculated £65
SNC, December 1998, 7379
MS8981 George V, Halfcrown, 1917 (ESC 764; S.4011), good EF £70
MS8977 Victoria, Halfcrown, 1891, Jubilee head (ESC 724; S.3924), toned,
about uncirculated £140
MS8982 George V, Halfcrown, 1926, second coinage (ESC 773; S.4021A),
EF £60
MS8978 Victoria, Halfcrown, 1897, old head (ESC 731; S.3938), bag marks on
obverse, otherwise uncirculated, attractive matt tone £100
MS8983 George V, proof Halfcrown, 1927, fourth coinage (ESC 776; S.4037),
almost as struck £70
SNC, August 2001, MS2156
MS8984 Elizabeth II (1952 -), Halfcrown, 1954 (ESC 781I; S.4145),
uncirculated £35
Bonhams, Sale 31195, lot 326
MS8979 Edward VII (1901-10), Halfcrown, 1906 (ESC 751; S.3980), good EF
£350
38 NUMISMATIC CIRCULAR
FLORINS
MS8985 Victoria (1837-1901), pattern Florin, 1848, “Godless” type A,
rev. cruciform shields, plain edge (ESC 886 R2; S.3890), some very light
hairlines, otherwise toned, as struck £1,200
MS8990 Victoria, Florin, 1853, “Gothic” type B1, no stop after date, reads BRIT:
(ESC 808; S.3891), dipped, EF £225
Glendining, 1 October 1997, lot 394
MS8986 Victoria, Florin, 1849, “Godless” type A, WW in full behind bust
(ESC 802; S.3890), pleasing, good EF £250
MS8991 Victoria, Florin, 1856, “Gothic” type B1, no stop after date, reads BRIT:
(ESC 813A; S.3891), softly struck in centre, otherwise toned, uncirculated £500
MS8987 Victoria, Florin, 1849, “Godless” type A, WW obliterated (ESC 802A;
S.3890), EF, rare £275
SNC, August 2002, MS3093
MS8992 Victoria, Florin, 1858, “Gothic” type B1, no stop after date, reads BRIT:
(ESC 816B; S.3891), good EF £350
MS8988 Victoria, Florin, 1852, “Gothic” type B1, reads BRIT: (ESC 806; S.3891),
light bag marks, almost uncirculated £375
MS8993 Victoria, Florin, 1862, “Gothic” type B1, reads BRIT. (ESC 820 R2;
S.3891), light bag marks, good EF and very rare £1,750
Bought Spink, June 1994
MS8989 Victoria, Florin, 1852, “Gothic” type B1, ii over i in date, reads BRIT:
(ESC 807A R2; S.3891), good EF and rare £375
Spink, Auction 4018, 6 October 2004, lot 798
MS8994 Victoria, Florin, 1865, “Gothic” type B2, reads BRIT:, no colon
after date, die number 16 (ESC 826; S.3892), attractively toned, good EF,
scarce £500
Bought Spink, November 1985
MARCH 2010 39
MS8995 Victoria, Florin, 1865, “Gothic” type B2, reads BRIT:, with colon after
date, die number 43 (ESC 827 R3; S.3892), toned, good EF, very rare £750
MS9000 Victoria, Florin, 1879, “Gothic” type B6, reads BRITT:, 48 arcs, with WW,
no die number (ESC 851; S.3897), almost EF £200
Bought Spink (5244)
MS8996 Victoria, Florin, 1868, “Gothic” type B3, reads BRITT:, 48 arcs, with WW,
die number 25 (ESC 833; S.3893), toned, good EF £475
Spink, Auction 140, 16 November 1999, lot 765
MS9001 Victoria, Florin, 1879, “Gothic” type B7, reads BRITT:, 38 arcs, without
WW (ESC 852; S.3898), good EF £350
Bought Spink, July 1984
MS8997 Victoria, Florin, 1874, “Gothic” type B3, reads BRITT:, 48 arcs, iv over
iii in date, die number 29 (ESC 843A R2; S.3893), cleaned, otherwise good VF
and very rare £250
SNC, June 1994, 4236
MS9002 Victoria, Florin, 1880, “Gothic” type B8, reads BRITT:, 34 arcs, without
WW (ESC 854; S.3900), hints of lustre, good EF £350
Spink, Auction 140, 16 November 1999, lot 765
MS8998 Victoria, Florin, 1877, “Gothic” type B5, reads BRITT:, 42 arcs, stop
after date, no WW, die number 25 (ESC 848; S.3895), good EF £375
MS9003 Victoria, Florin, 1881, “Gothic” type B8, reads BRITT:, 34 arcs, without
WW (ESC 856; S.3900), light bag marks, almost uncirculated £300
MS8999 Victoria, Florin, 1878, “Gothic” type B5, reads BRITT:, 42 arcs, die
number 19 (ESC 849; S.3895), bag marks, good EF £375
Spink, September 1991, lot 5087
MS9004 Victoria, Florin, 1886, “Gothic” type B8, reads BRITT:, 34 arcs, without
WW (ESC 863; S.3900), EF £225
40 NUMISMATIC CIRCULAR
MS9005 Victoria, Florin, 1887, “Gothic” type B9, reads BRITT:, 46 arcs, without
WW (ESC 866; S.3901), matt tone, pleasing EF, scarce £325
MS9011 Edward VII, Florin, 1903 (ESC 921; S.3981), good EF £200
MS9006 Victoria, Florin, 1887, Jubilee head (ESC 868; S.3925), about
uncirculated £40
MS9012 George V (1910-36), Florin, 1911 (ESC 929; S.4012), light tone, EF
£40
MS9007 Victoria, proof Florin, 1887, Jubilee head (ESC 869; S.3925), most
attractively toned, about as struck £175
MS9013 George V, proof Florin, 1911 (ESC 930; S.4012), toned, almost as
struck £110
MS9008 Victoria, proof Florin, 1893, old head (ESC 877; S.3939), attractive
rainbow tone, as struck £225
Bought Spink, August 1994
MS9014 George V, Florin, 1926 (ESC 945; S.4022A), good EF £50
Bought Seaby, 9 August 1986, G256
MS9009 Victoria, Florin, 1897, old head (ESC 881; S.3939), EF £45
MS9015 George V, proof Florin, 1927 (ESC 947; S.4038), toned, almost as
struck £95
MS9010 Edward VII (1901-10), matt proof Florin, 1902 (ESC 920; S.3981),
about as struck £90
MS9016 George V, Florin, 1928 (ESC 948; S.4038), about uncirculated £25
SNC, August 2002, MS3170
MARCH 2010 41
SHILLINGS
MS9017 Charles II (1660-85), Shilling, 1663, first bust, inverted die axis
(ESC 1022; S.3371), about EF, attractively toned £1,100
Spink, Auction 1258, 5 October 2000, lot 545
MS9023 William III, Shilling, 1697, first bust (ESC 1091; S.3497), richly toned,
EF £375
MS9018 Charles II, Shilling, 1663, first bust, Scottish and Irish shields
transposed (ESC 1024 R3; S.3371), toned, almost VF and very rare £800
SNC, December 2003, MS5667
MS9024 William III, Shilling, 1700, fifth bust (ESC 1121; S.3516), dark tone,
EF £350
MS9019 Charles II, Shilling, 1684, fourth bust (ESC 1066; S.3381), attractively
toned, nearly extremely fine and very pleasing £1,650
Spink, Auction 4018, 6 October 2004, lot 594
MS9025 William III, Shilling, 1700, fifth bust, no stops on reverse (ESC 1122;
S.3516), EF £450
Bought Spink, 10 April 1994
MS9020 James II (1685-88), Shilling, 1687, 7 over 6 and with G of MAG over A
(ESC 1072A; S.3410), with light adjustment marks otherwise EF with a clear
over date and overstrike in legend, very rare in this grade £2,500
SNC, December 2003, MS5668
MS9026 Anne, before Union, Shilling, 1702 VIGO, first bust (ESC 1130;
S.3585), toned with some underlying brilliance, EF £800
Ex Grantley collection, September 1944
MS9021 William and Mary (1688-94), Shilling, 1693, 9 over 0 (ESC 1076A R4;
S.3437), about VF and rare £450
SNC, December 2000, MS0090
MS9027 Anne, after Union, Shilling, 1708, third bust, plain (ESC 1147;
S.3610), lightly hay marked, EF £350
Bought Spink (4765)
MS9022 William III (1694-1702), Shilling, 1696 C, first bust C below, Chester
mint, R over V in GRA (ESC 1082A R4; S.3499), VF and very rare £475
SNC, June 2000, 2385
MS9028 Anne, after Union, Shilling, 1713, 3 over 2, fourth bust, roses and
plumes (ESC 1160; S.3617), graffiti on neck otherwise toned with underlying
brilliance, EF £500
42 NUMISMATIC CIRCULAR
MS9029 George I (1714-27), Shilling, 1715, first bust, roses and plumes (ESC
1162; S.3645), light tone, about EF £650
Bought Spink, March 1986
MS9035 George II, Shilling, 1741, 41 over 39, young head, roses (ESC 1202A
R5; S.3701), a really good VF and rare £500
SNC, February 2000, 228
MS9030 George I, Shilling, 1723 SSC, first bust (ESC 1176; S.3647), light tone,
EF £225
MS9036 George II, Shilling, 1745 LIMA, old head, plain (ESC 1205; S.3703),
dappled tone, good EF £550
Glendining, 30 April 1999, lot 334
MS9031 George I, Shilling, 1723 SSC, first bust, Arms of France at date
(ESC 1177 R2; S.3647), toned, good VF, rare £650
Ex Martin Hughes collection
Spink, Auction 139, 16 November 1999, lot 343
MS9037 George II, Shilling, 1750, wide 0 in date, 5 over 4, old head, plain
(ESC 1211; S.3704), lightly toned, EF and rare £525
Ex Martin Hughes collection
SNC, February 2000, 231
MS9032 George II (1727-60), Shilling, 1727, young head, roses and plumes
(ESC 1190; S.3698), light tone, EF £700
MS9038 George II, Shilling, 1758, old head, plain (ESC 1213; S.3704), toned,
EF £150
MS9033 George II, Shilling, 1728, young head, plain (ESC 1191; S.3700), some
hay marks, toned, almost EF, rare £950
MS9039 George III (1760-1820), “Northumberland “Shilling, 1763, young
head (ESC 1214; S.3742), richly toned, good EF £1,450
MS9034 George II, Shilling, 1739, young head, roses (ESC 1201; S.3701), light
tone, good VF, reverse better £325
MS9040 George III, Shilling, 1787, second head, without semée of hearts,
7 strings to harp (ESC 1216; S.3743), light haymarks, toned, EF £100
MARCH 2010 43
MS9041 George III, Shilling, 1816, laureate head (ESC 1228; S.3790), brilliance
on obverse, good EF £75
MS9047 George IV, Shilling, 1826, 6 over 2 or 8 (?), second head, third reverse
(cf. ESC 1257A R3; S.3812), dark tone, VF, a very unusual date £250
SNC, August 2002, MS3238
MS9042 George III, Shilling, 1817, laureate head, E over R in GEOR (ESC 1232A
R3; S.3790), toned, about uncirculated, very rare £750
MS9048 William IV (1830-37), Shilling, 1836 (ESC 1273; S.3835), toned, good
EF £250
MS9043 George III, Shilling, 1820, laureate head, I of HONI over S (ESC 1236A
R3; S.3790), uncirculated and very rare £450
SNC, December 1997, 5901
MS9049 Victoria (1837-1901), Shilling, 1839, first young head type A1, WW
(ESC 1280; S.3902), good EF £250
MS9044 George IV, Shilling, 1825, first head, second reverse (ESC 1253;
S.3811), toned, good EF £275
MS9050 Victoria, proof Shilling, 1839, young head type A3, no WW, plain edge
(ESC 1284; S.3904), most attractively toned, as struck £600
Bonhams, 6 March 2002, lot 338
MS9045 George IV, proof Shilling, 1825, first head, second reverse (ESC 1253A
R4; S.3811), edge nick on reverse, slightly impaired, good EF, very rare £1,500
SNC, October 2003, MS5504A
MS9051 Victoria, Shilling, 1858, second 8 over 6, young head type A3, no WW
(ESC -; S.3904), toned good EF, very rare £375
SNC, December 1998, 7421
MS9046 George IV, Shilling, 1825, second head, third reverse (ESC 1254;
S.3812), toned, good EF £175
SNC, April 1999, 1578
MS9052 Victoria, Shilling, 1863, 3 over 1, young head type A3, no WW
(ESC 1311A R4; S.3904), almost EF, very rare £550
44 NUMISMATIC CIRCULAR
MS9053 Victoria, Shilling, 1866, young head type A4, die number 50
(ESC 1314; S.3905), light surface marks, good EF £175
MS9059 Victoria, Shilling, 1894, old head (ESC 1363; S.3940), about
uncirculated £90
MS9054 Victoria, Shilling, 1879, young head type A7, no die number
(ESC 1334; S.3907), almost EF £75
Bought Spink
MS9060 Edward VII (1901-10), matt proof Shilling, 1902 (ESC 1411; S.3982),
reverse struck off centre, good EF, curious £70
MS9055 Victoria, Shilling, 1887, Jubilee head (ESC 1351; S.3926), toned with
underlying brilliance, uncirculated £35
SNC, December 1998, 7428
MS9061 Edward VII, Shilling, 1903 (ESC 1412; S.3982), a really good EF £250
MS9056 Victoria, Shilling, 1889, large Jubilee head (ESC 1355; S.3927), much
brilliance, good EF £50
MS9062 George V (1910-36), first coinage, proof Shilling, 1911 (ESC 1421;
S.4013), attractively toned, as struck £100
MS9057 Victoria, proof Shilling, 1889, large Jubilee head (ESC 1356 R3;
S.3927), some light surface marks in fields, toned, almost as struck, very
rare £1,350
SNC, November 1994, 7358
MS9063 George V, first coinage, Shilling, 1913 (ESC 1423; S.4013), almost
uncirculated £100
Bought Spink (4244)
MS9064 George V, second coinage, Shilling, 1923 (ESC 1433; S.4023A),
uncirculated £50
SNC, August 2002, MS3319
MS9058 Victoria, Shilling, 1893, old head, small lettering (ESC 1361A;
S.3940), toned, good EF £60
Bought Spink, February 1996
MARCH 2010 45
MS9065 George V, second coinage, proof or trial Shilling, 1923, struck in nickel
(ESC 1433A R4; S.4023A), uncirculated and extremely rare £1,250
SNC, October 1993, 7238
MS9071 James II, Sixpence, 1687, later shields (ESC 1526B; S.3413), some light
haymarks on reverse, toned, almost EF, scarce £750
SNC, April 2001, MS0857
MS9072 William and Mary (1688-94), Sixpence, 1693 (ESC 1529; S.3438),
toned, pleasing VF £450
MS9066 George V, third coinage, Shilling, 1927, modified effigy (ESC 1438;
S.4033), uncirculated £60
SNC, February 2001, MS5075
MS9073 William III (1694-1702), Sixpence, 1696, first bust, early harp, large
crowns (ESC 1533; S.3520), toned, good EF £250
Bought Spink
MS9067 George V, fourth coinage, Shilling, 1927 (ESC 1439; S.4039), good
EF £25
SIXPENCES
MS9074 William III, Sixpence, 1696 y, York, first bust, early harp, large crowns
(ESC 1539; S.3525), light haymarks, toned, EF £250
MS9068 Charles II (1660-85), Sixpence, 1674 (ESC 1512; S.3382), toned,
EF £700
SNC, July 1993, 4433
MS9069 Charles II, Sixpence, 1677 (ESC 1516; S.3382), almost EF £500
S & B, 1 June 2001, G181
MS9075 William III, Sixpence, 1696 Y, York, first bust, early harp, no stops on
obverse, large crowns (ESC 1541; S.3526), light adjustment marks on top of
bust, toned, EF, rare £375
Bought Spink
MS9070 James II (1685-88), Sixpence, 1686, early shields (ESC 1525; S.3412),
lightly hay marked, toned, good EF, scarce £1,000
Glendining, 30 April 1999, lot 263
MS9076 William III, Sixpence, 1697, first bust, later harp, small crowns, Arms
of France and Ireland transposed (ESC 1552B R5; S.3531), bold fine,
extremely rare £450
46 NUMISMATIC CIRCULAR
MS9077 William III, Sixpence, 1697 B, Bristol, first bust, later harp, small
crowns (ESC 1555; S.3552), toned, EF £275
SNC, April 1999, 1233
MS9083 William III, Sixpence, 1697 C, Chester, third bust, later harp, small
crowns (ESC 1570; S.3543), toned, good VF £225
Bought Spink (3738)
MS9078 William III, Sixpence, 1697 N, Norwich, first bust, later harp, small
crowns (ESC 1561; S.3535), toned, about EF £325
SNC, May 1991, 2771
MS9084 William III, Sixpence, 1698, third bust, later harp, large crowns,
plumes (ESC 1575; S.3546), toned, EF, rare £500
SNC, November 1994, 7394
MS9079 William III, Sixpence, 1697, third bust, later harp, large crowns (ESC
1566; S.3538), toned, EF £225
MS9085 William III, Sixpence, 1699, third bust, later harp, large crowns, plain
(ESC 1576; S.3538), toned, about EF, rare £500
SNC, June 1991, 2775
MS9080 William III, Sixpence, 1697, third bust, inverted A in GVLIELMVS, later
harp, large crowns (ESC 1566B R4; S.3538), the inverted A probably a die flaw,
VF £90
MS9086 William III, Sixpence, 1699, third bust, later harp, large crowns,
plumes (ESC 1577; S.3546), toned, EF, rare £500
SNC, December 1990, 7765
MS9081 William III, Sixpence, 1697, third bust, later harp, small crowns
(ESC 1567; S.3542), EF £250
SNC, August 2001, 2010
MS9087 William III, Sixpence, 1700, third bust, later harp, large crowns, plain
(ESC 1579; S.3538), EF £250
Bought Spink (4220)
MS9082 William III, Sixpence, 1697 B, Bristol, third bust, D over M in DEI (?), R
over F in GRA (?), later harp, large crowns (ESC 1568; S.3539), the over
punched letters probably the result of a flawed rusty die, EF £250
SNC, December 2003, 5674
MS9088 Anne (1702-14), before Union, Sixpence, 1703 VIGO (ESC 1582;
S.3590), small scratch on reverse, toned, almost EF £275
Bought Spink, April 1993
MARCH 2010 47
MS9089 Anne, before Union, Sixpence, 1705, late shields, plumes (ESC 1584A;
S.3593), toned, EF £475
Ex Lockett, Jackson Kent and Pearce collections
MS9095 George I, Sixpence, 1723 SSC, small letters (ESC 1600; S.3652), light
tone, about EF £225
Spink, 15 April 2004, lot 273
MS9090 Anne, after Union, Sixpence, 1707, plain (ESC 1587; S.3619), toned,
good VF £200
Seaby, 1981
MS9096 George I, Sixpence, 1726, small roses and plumes (ESC 1602; S.3653),
good VF / EF, rare £375
Ex Hamilton, Pegg, Seaby
MS9091 Anne, after Union, Sixpence, 1707, plumes (ESC 1590; S.3623), lightly
hay marked, soft in centre, otherwise toned, EF £350
MS9097 George II, Sixpence, 1728, young head, roses and plumes (ESC 1606;
S.3707), toned, good EF £450
SNC, June 1990, 3556
MS9092 Anne, after Union, Sixpence, 1710, roses and plumes (ESC 1595;
S.3624), weak in parts, toned, nearly EF, scarce £400
Ex Lord Hamilton collection
MS9098 George II, Sixpence, 1739, young head, roses (ESC 1612; S.3708), light
tone, nearly EF £300
Baldwin, Auction 5, lot 410
MS9093 Anne, after Union, Sixpence, 1711, plain, large lis (ESC 1596A;
S.3619), toned, some brilliance, EF £250
SNC, April 2000, 1608
MS9099 George II, Sixpence, 1739, young head, roses, O in GEORGIVS over R (ESC
1612A R3; S.3708), light tone, nearly EF, rare £350
SNC, September 1995, 5070
MS9094 George I (1714-27), Sixpence, 1717, roses and plumes (ESC 1597;
S.3651), attractive light tone, some brilliance, EF, rare £600
SNC, July 1993, 4438
MS9100 George II, Sixpence, 1743, old head, roses (ESC 1614; S.3709), toned,
EF £275
48 NUMISMATIC CIRCULAR
MS9101 George II, Sixpence, 1745, 5 over 3, old head, roses (ESC 1616 R2;
S.3709), dark tone, EF, rare £300
Ex Martin Hughes collection
Spink, Auction 139, lot 401
MS9108 George IV, proof Sixpence, 1821, first head, first reverse (ESC 1655 R2;
S.3813), some very light cabinet friction, otherwise toned, almost as struck £500
Bought Spink
MS9102 George II, Sixpence, 1745 LIMA, old head, plain (ESC 1617; S.3710),
light tone, nearly EF £200
MS9109 George IV, Sixpence, 1821, first head, first reverse, reads BBITANNIAR
(ESC 1656 R3; S.3813), some light surface marks, good EF, very rare £800
SNC, November 1998, 6986
MS9103 George II, Sixpence, 1758, 8 over 7, old head, plain (ESC 1624;
S.3711), nearly EF £90
SNC, December 1998, 7446
MS9110 George IV, Sixpence, 1828, second head, third reverse (ESC 1665;
S.3815), softly struck in centre, EF £150
Bought Spink
MS9104 George III (1760-1820), Sixpence, 1787, without semée of hearts (ESC
1626; S.3748), toned, EF £60
MS9111 William IV (1830-37), proof Sixpence, 1831, plain edge, inverted die
axis (ESC 1671 R2; S.3836), toned, almost as struck £300
MS9105 George III, new coinage, Sixpence, 1816 (ESC 1630; S.3791), about
uncirculated £90
SNC, September 1998, 5821
MS9112 William IV, Sixpence, 1834, large date (ESC 1674A; S.3836), EF £125
SNC, August 2002, MS3375
MS9106 George III, Sixpence, 1820, inverted 1 in date (ESC 1639A R4;
S.3791), good EF, rare £475
Glendining, Sale 30891, 30 November 2000, lot 175
MS9113 Victoria (1837-1901), Sixpence, 1844, small 44, first young head type
A1 (ESC 1690; S.3908), mark on neck, otherwise about uncirculated £175
SNC, June 1993, 3568
MS9107 George IV (1820-30), Sixpence, 1821, first head, first reverse
(ESC 1654; S.3813), light tone, good EF £175
SNC, November 1995, 6467
MARCH 2010 49
MS9114 Victoria, Sixpence, 1848, 8 over 7, first young head type A1
(ESC 1693B R3; S.3908), die flaws, good EF, very rare £500
MS9121 Victoria, Sixpence, 1887, Jubilee head, “withdrawn” type (ESC 1752;
S.3928), good EF £15
SNC, April 1998, 2106
MS9115 Victoria, Sixpence, 1850, 5 over 3, first young head type A1
(ESC 1695A R2; S.3908), light tone, EF, rare £200
Bought Spink (2602)
MS9122 Victoria, Sixpence, 1887, Jubilee head, “withdrawn” type, JEB on
truncation (ESC 1752B R3; S.3928), from a half-sovereign obverse die, EF and
rare £125
SNC, December 1997, 5965
MS9116 Victoria, Sixpence, 1859, first young head type A1 (ESC 1708;
S.3908), good EF £125
MS9123 Victoria, proof Sixpence, 1887, Jubilee head, “withdrawn” type
(ESC 1753; S.3928), hairlines, good EF £80
MS9117 Victoria, Sixpence, 1859, 9 over 8, first young head type A1
(ESC 1708A; S.3908), toned, nearly EF £60
MS9124 Victoria, Sixpence, 1887, Jubilee head (ESC 1754; S.3929), about
uncirculated £25
MS9118 Victoria, Sixpence, 1872, second young head type A3, die number 71
(ESC 1726; S.3910), surface marks, nearly EF £50
MS9125 Victoria, Sixpence, 1893, old head (ESC 1762; S.3941), toned, good EF
£25
MS9119 Victoria, Sixpence, 1878, second young head type A3, D over B: reads
DRITANNIAR, die number 6 (ESC 1735 R3; S.3910), light bag marks, a really
good EF, very rare £850
Glendining, 1 October 1997, lot 436
MS9126 Edward VII (1901-10), matt proof Sixpence, 1902 (ESC 1786; S.3983),
good EF £55
MS9120 Victoria, Sixpence, 1881, third young head type A5 (ESC 1740;
S.3912), EF £50
Seaby, May 1981
MS9127 George V (1910-36), first coinage, Sixpence, 1911 (ESC 1795; S.4014),
light cabinet friction, uncirculated £35
SNC, February 2001, MS0597
50 NUMISMATIC CIRCULAR
GROATS
MS9128 George V, first coinage, proof Sixpence, 1911 (ESC 1796; S.4014),
toned, as struck £75
SNC, August 2001, MS2282
MS9129 No lot
MS9136 William IV (1830-37), Groat, 1836 (ESC 1918; S.3837), good EF £50
MS9137 Victoria (1837-1901), Groat, 1855, young head (ESC 1953; S.3913),
about EF £30
THREEPENCES
MS9130 George V, second coinage, Sixpence, 1925, new rim (ESC 1812;
S.4025), good EF £25
SNC, February 2001, MS0613
MS9138 George III (1760-1820), Threepence, 1762, young head (ESC 2033;
S.3753), colourful tone, uncirculated £85
SNC, June 2003, MS5024
MS9131 George V, third coinage, Sixpence, 1927 (ESC 1815; S.4034),
uncirculated £35
SNC, February 2001, MS0616
MS9139 Victoria (1837-1901), Threepence, 1879, young head type A4
(ESC 2085; S.3914C), toned, good EF £50
Bought Spink
MS9132 George V, fourth coinage, proof Sixpence, 1927 (ESC 1816; S.4040),
cleaned, good EF £35
SNC, August 2002, MS2294
MS9140 Victoria, proof Threepence, 1887, Jubilee head (ESC 2097; S.3931),
toned, as struck £75
Bought Spink
MS9133 George V, fourth coinage, Sixpence, 1928 (ESC 1817; S.4040),
uncirculated £22
MS9141 Victoria, Threepence, 1893, Jubilee head (ESC 2103 R2; S.3931),
toned, almost EF, rare £125
MS9134 No lot
MS9142 Victoria, proof Threepence, 1893, old head (ESC 2105; S.3942), toned,
as struck £85
Bought Spink
MS9135 George VI (1936-52), proof Sixpence, 1937 (ESC 1827; S.4084),
as struck £10
MS9143 Victoria, Threepence, 1901, old head (ESC 2113; S.3942), good EF £25
MARCH 2010 51
Irish Coins
IR374 Hiberno-Norse, Phase II, Penny, 1.02g, Group A.3/h, blundered legends,
as Long cross type, cross pattée on neck, cross pommée behind head, rev. no
pellets in angles (DF 23; S.6125), good VF £750
IR368 Hiberno-Norse, Phase I, Penny, 1.53g, Group B.2/a, in name of
Aethelred II, as Long cross type of Aethelred II, Dublin mint signature,
Faeremin, ÆĐELREĐ REX AIGO, rev. FÆREMIN M·O DYFLI (SCBI BM 31; DF 11;
S.6106), peck marked, otherwise good VF, rare £2,000
IR375 Hiberno-Norse, Phase II, Penny, 1.25g, Group A.3/c, blundered legends,
as Long cross type, inverted crozier behind neck, rev. pellets in angles (SCBI
BM, 74; DF 23; S.6125A), most attractively toned, almost EF, rare £1,200
Bought Baldwin 2004, Ex VM Brand collection
IR369 Hiberno-Norse, Phase I, Penny, 1.05g, Group B.3/a, in name of Thymn,
as Long cross type of Aethelred II, Dublin mint signature, Feamien, ĐYMN
ROEX MNEGMI, rev. FÆMIEN MN·O ĐIEN (SCBI BM 29; DF 9; S.6109), heavily peck
marked, otherwise toned, nearly VF, very rare £1,500
IR376 Hiberno-Norse, Phase III, Penny, 0.93g, Group A/b, Long cross and
hands type, rev. large pellet in second quarter (SCBI BM, 96-7; DF 24;
S.6132), most attractively toned, EF, rare £750
Bought Baldwin 2004, Ex VM Brand collection
IR370 Hiberno-Norse, Phase I, Penny, 1.13g, Group D.1/b, in name of Sihtric,
as Last small cross type of Aethelred II, London mint signature, Dgdoan,
SIHTRC REX DYFLIM, rev. DGDO·ANO LVNDR (SCBI BM, 55; DF 19; S.6118), peck
marked, good Fine, very rare £1,500
Bought Baldwin 2006, ex Russian hoard
IR377 Hiberno-Norse, Phase IV, Penny, 0.82g, Scratched die issue, Group A/b,
as Long cross type, pellets in front, on and behind bust, rev. hand in one
angle, and pellets in others with cross scratched in one (SCBI Ulster, 313;
DF 25; S.6134), toned, good VF, rare £1,000
IR371 Hiberno-Norse, Phase I, Penny, 0.81g, Group E.1/a, with blundered
name of Cnut, as Quatrefoil type of Cnut, blundered mint signature, NVRTEIX
ANGLOBYH, rev. HEHEHHIOHEH (Blackburn BNJ 1996, IS21 obv. / HN 3 + 9 rev.;
cf. DF 22; cf. S.121A), pierced, minor edge loss, otherwise toned, good VF and
extremely rare £2,000
Baldwin sale 31, lot 152 (described as Scandinavian imitation)
A die duplicate for this piece in the Glenfaba Hoard - 105, discovered on the Isle of Man in 2003 confirms
this piece as a Hiberno-Norse production from the mint at Dublin.
IR378 Hiberno-Norse, Phase IV, Penny, 1.06g, Scratched die issue, Group A/b,
as Long cross type, pellets in front, on and behind bust, rev. hand in one
angle, and pellets in other angles with cross scratched in one (DF 25;
S.6134), toned, bold VF, rare £800
Bonhams, 24 February 2004, lot 105
IR372 Hiberno-Norse, Phase II, Penny, 1.06g, Group A.1/a, in name of Sihtric,
as Long cross type, cross behind head, Dublin mint signature, Steng?, SIHTRC
REX DYFL, rev. pellets in angles, SEIIEII O DIILINR (DF 23; S.6122), toned, nearly
VF £750
Bonhams, 24 February 2004, lot 90
IR379 Hiberno-Norse, Phase V, Penny, 0.90g, Group A/b, crude bust, derived
from Long cross type, cross on neck, two pellets before face, pellet and wedge
behind head, rev. opposed anchor and annulet and pellets in angles (SCBI BM
157-161; DF 28; S.6138), toned, VF, rare £950
IR373 Hiberno-Norse, Phase II, Penny, 0.69g, Group A.3/e, blundered obverse
legend, as Long cross type, E on neck, pellet in annulet behind head,
blundered Worcester mint signature, Wulfric, rev. E in 4th angle, pellets in
others, PVLFRIC ON PIIHN MOIHI (SCBI BM 111; SCBI Ulster 115; DF 23;
S.6126 / 6123), toned, nearly EF very rare and interesting £2,250
The reverse of this coin is from a die which is imitative of a Phase I coin with a Worcester mint signature,
see Hildebrand 1603, and articles by Dolley and Butler and Dolley, SNC March 1961and February 1968
IR380 Hiberno-Norse, Phase V, Penny, 0.83g, Group A/i, crude bust derived
from Long cross type, rev. derived from Facing bust / small cross type of
Edward the Confessor with cross pattée with pellets around (cf. SCBI BM 219;
DF 28/29; S.6148), weakly struck in parts, otherwise toned, nearly VF, very rare
£1,250
SNC February 2005, item IH0516, Ex Glendining, 24 January 1996, lot 74
52 NUMISMATIC CIRCULAR
IR381 Hiberno-Norse, Phase V, Penny, 0.78g, Group J/b, abstract ‘Ringerike’
style, rev. derived from Long cross type, with annulet, hand and pellets in
angles (SCBI BM 211-214; DF 30; S.6182), weakly struck in parts, otherwise
toned, nearly VF, very rare £1,250
Ex Mabbot collection, Schulman, 26-28 May 1970, lot 1137 and Spink sale 191 lot 209
SC0795 Alexander III, Penny, 1.46g, first coinage, type III, ‘Dun’, Walter,
rev. W[ALTE]R ONDVN(SCBI 35, 110 same dies; B 60a, fig 131A, same dies;
S.5043), struck off centre, weak in parts otherwise toned, about VF, scarce £275
IR382 Hiberno-Norse, Phase VI, Penny, 1.14g, Group A/a, crude bust derived
from Long cross type, crozier in front of bust, rev. opposed sceptres and pellets
in angles (SCBI BM 232-249; DF 32; S.6187), some ghosting, good Fine, rare,
very heavy for issue £600
Bought Baldwin 2003, Ex VM Brand collection
SC0796 Alexander III, Penny, 1.28g, first coinage, type III, Roxburgh, Adam,
rev. ADAM ON RO[KESB] (SCBI 35, 129-30; B 30, fig. 136, same dies; S.5043),
slightly crimped, toned, VF £225
SC0797 Alexander III, cut Halfpenny, 0.65g, first coinage, type III, Dun, Walter
(S.5043), toned, about VF £95
IR383 Hiberno-Norse, Phase VI, Penny, 0.40g, Group A/a, crude bust derived
from Long cross type, crozier in front of bust, rev. opposed sceptres and
trefoils in angles (SCBI BM 241; DF 32; S.6187), a little porous, otherwise dark
tone, about VF, rare £750
DNW 17 March 2004, lot 797
SC0798 Alexander III, Penny, 1.40g, second coinage, class Mb, REX SCOTORVM,
24 points to mullets (S.5052), toned, good VF £150
IR384 Hiberno-Norse, Phase VII, Double Bracteate, 0.83g, Group A/b,
crude bust derived from Long cross type, rev. long cross over quatrefoil
(SCBI BM 252; DF 33; S.6191), light tone, VF, very rare £2,000
SNC February 2005, item IH0162, Ex Chown collection, lot 1150
SC0799 John Baliol (1292-96), Penny, 1.46g, first ‘rough’ coinage, four mullets
of 6 points (B 1ff, fig. 210ff; S.5065), bold VF, good portrait £350
Scottish Coins
SC0800 John Baliol, Halfpenny, 0.63g, second coinage, mullets in two quarters
(B.1, Fig. 222; S.5074), weak on face otherwise, VF, toned, scarce £350
Ex Murdoch collection, 11 May 1903, lot 41
SC0792 Alexander III (1249-86), Penny, 1.25g, first coinage, type III, Aberdeen,
Ion, rev. ION ON ABER (S.5043), toned, VF £250
SC0801 Robert the Bruce (1306-29), Halfpenny, 0.55g, single pellet after GRA
(Holmes/Stewarby -D; cf. Burns 1, fig. 227; S.5077), attractive tone, good VF
with a handsome portrait, very rare £3,250
Ex G. C. Drabble, part II (1188); A Distinguished Collection of Scottish Coins and Medals, Spink sale 20
(118) and R. MacPherson (3976).
SC0793 Alexander III, Penny, 1.36g, first coinage, type III, Perth, Ion, rev. ION ON
PERTE: (S.5043), almost VF £175
SC0794 Alexander III, Penny, 1.30g, first coinage, type III, Aberdeen, Alisander,
rev. ALISAND ON A (S.5043), weak in parts, otherwise toned, bold VF £250
SC0802 David II (1329-71), Groat, 4.17g, second coinage, class A, Edinburgh,
tressure of 6 arcs, nothing in spandrels, crosslet stops, lis at end of legend,
reads COTOROM (SCBI 35, 374, same obv. die ; B 15, fig.262; S.5091), good VF
£375
MARCH 2010 53
SC0803 David II, Groat, 4.31g, second coinage, class A4, Edinburgh, pellets in
spandrels (S.5094), full flan, toned, VF, rare £400
SC0809 David II, Halfgroat, 2.22g, second coinage, class A, Aberdeen, (cf. SCBI
35, 401; B 6, fig. 265; S.5112), VF and very rare £800
SC0804 David II, Groat, 4.16g, second coinage, class B, Edinburgh, (S.5095),
attractive good very fine £400
SC0810 Robert III (1390-1406), Groat, 2.47g, Heavy coinage, second issue,
Edinburgh, neat bust, trefoils at cusps, pellets and annulets in spandrels
(S.5167), edge split, nearly VF £250
SC0811 James I (1406-37), ¡ Demy, 3.07g, type II, saltire cross, lis either side,
within a fleured tressure of six arches each with a large open quatrefoil,
m.m. crown (B.8, fig. 454; St.79ii; S.5190), bold VF and rare £2,750
SC0805 David II, Groat, 4.14g, third coinage, Edinburgh, as second
coinage class C with older bust, star behind head, rev. star between
E and D of EDINBVRGH (SCBI 35, 390; B vol.I p.257; S.5123), nearly VF
and very rare £650
Struck to the weight standard of the second coinage
SC0812 James II (1437-60), Groat, 3.30g, second coinage, first issue, Edinburgh,
crowns and three pellets in alternate angles, m.m. cross (S.5231), good Fine
to nearly VF for issue and very rare £650
SC0806 David II, Groat, 3.46g, third coinage, as class D, Edinburgh, large head,
pellet eyes, with star on sceptre, trefoils in arcs (S.5125), nearly VF £250
SC0813 James II, Halfgroat, 1.73g, second coinage, second issue, Edinburgh, lis
to right of crown, rev. three pellets in first and fourth quarters, crown in
second and third quarters, m.m. cross fourchée on obv., crown on rev.
(SCBI 35, -; B 2a, fig.551A; S.5243), two edge splits but VF and
excessively rare £1,350
SC0807 David II, Groat, 3.35g, third coinage, as class D, Edinburgh, large head,
pellets eyes, with star on sceptre, trefoils in arcs (S.5125), toned VF £250
SC0808 David II, Halfgroat,2.13g, second coinage, class A, Edinburgh (S.5105),
weak in parts, otherwise toned nearly EF and rare thus £475
SC0814 James III (1460-88), Groat, 2.24g, light issue of 1482, Edinburgh, small
bust with low crown of five fleurs, reads EDENBEOVRGE m.m. cross fleury,
(S.5280), metal flaw above crown, a handsome VF £650
54 NUMISMATIC CIRCULAR
SC0815 James III, Groat, 1.88g, base silver issue, Edinburgh, bust half right,
m.m. cross pattée (SCBI 35, 479ff; B 7, fig.578; S.5270), clear portrait, good
fine and rare £650
SC0822 James III, Halfgroat, 1.40g, main issue, Edinburgh, m.m. plain cross
(Cf. SCBI 35, 789-90; B 10, fig.648; S.5292), nearly fine and excessively
rare £380
Mauchline (Ayrshire) Hoard 1971
SC0816 James III, Halfgroat, 0.93g, base silver issue, Edinburgh, bust half right,
m.m. cross pattée (SCBI 35, 753; B 3, fig. 585; S.5272), about fine and very
rare £850
SC0823 James III, Ecclesiastical Farthing, 0.54g, class II, rev. MONEPAVP, cross
with crowns and mullets (SCBI 35, 805; S.5314), flan flaw on obverse,
otherwise about VF and very rare £425
SC0817 James III, Groat, 2.31g, light issue of 1475, Edinburgh, crown of three
tall fleurs, m.m. cross pattée (B 20, fig.592; S.5274), striking split at 3 o’clock,
nearly VF for issue and very rare £350
SC0824 James IV (1488-1531), Groat, 2.39g, light coinage, Edinburgh, stars by
neck, IIII at end of legend, m.m. crown on obv. only (SCBI 35, 851; B 15a,
fig.675A; S.5342), good VF and rare £1,250
SC0818 James III, Halfgroat, 1.07g, light issue of 1475, Berwick, crown of
three tall fleurs, rev. pellets in first and fourth, mullets in second and third
quarters, m.m. cross pattée (SCBI 35, -; B 5, fig.594; S.5278), dark tone,
slightly creased fine and extremely rare £1,100
SC0825 James IV, billon Penny, 0.42g, Edinburgh, first issue, facing crowned
bust, annulets by neck, rev. long cross, pellets in angles (B.2, fig 655;
S.5357), nearly VF for issue, scarce £160
SC0819 James III, Halfgroat, 1.08g, light issue of c. 1467, Edinburgh, saltires by
neck, pellets with extra saltire in second and third quarters, m.m. cross
(SCBI 35, -; B -; S.5268), ragged edge, about fine, excessively rare - one of only
two known £1,350
SC0826 James V (1513-42), ¡ Crown, 3.44g, second coinage, type III, crowned
arms, rounded base to shield, rev. cross fleury, thistles in angles, trefoil stops,
m.m. star / crown (B.6; S.5370), good VF £5,250
SC0820 No lot
SC0827 James V, Groat, 2.50g, second coinage, type III, Edinburgh, open
mantle, OPPIDV EDINBVRGI (S.5378), attractive portrait, bold VF £575
SC0821 James III, Groat, 2.86g, main issue, Edinburgh, bust half-left, annulet
on inner circle before face, m.m. cross fleury (S.5287), slightly double struck,
otherwise on a full flan, about VF £850
MARCH 2010 55
SC0828 James V, One-third Groat, 0.74g, second coinage, type IV (S.5380),
about VF and very rare £750
Ex: ‘Ridgemount’ collection; Spink sale 69, 20 April 1989, lot 255.
SC0834 James VI, after Accession, ¡ Unit, 9.94g, Tenth coinage, Scottish arms
in 1st and 4th quarters, m.m. thistle (St. p. 155, XVI/204; S.5464), graffiti
before Kings face, slightly buckled otherwise about VF and rare £1,750
SC0829 Mary (1542-67), Two-Thirds of Ryal, 20.30g, fourth period with Henry
Darnley, crowned shield, rev. tortoise climbing a palm tree, EXVRGAT legend
(S.5426), sometime cleaned but good very fine and rare thus £1,100
SC0835 James VI, before Accession to English Throne, Twenty Shillings, 14.50g,
1582, Fourth coinage (S.5489), an attractive bold VF and scarce thus £1,450
SC0830 Mary, Testoon, 6.00g, 1558, first period before marriage, type IIIb,
interior of crown above shield hatched, no annulets, m.m. crown on rev. only
(B27; S.5406), good VF £700
SC0836 James VI, before Accession, Balance Half-Merk, 4.34g, 1591, Sixth
coinage (B 1, fig.937; S.5491), toned, VF £675
SC0831 Mary, Bawbee, 1.59g, first period, Stirling (SCBI 58, 450-1; S.5434),
about VF, scarce £275
SC0837 James VI, after Accession, Eightpenny Billon Groat, 2.65g, crowned
shield, rev. crowned thistle, no inner circle (S.5511), good VF or better and rare
thus £195
SC0832 Mary, ‘Nonsunt’ Groat, 1.86g, second period, 1559, left facing dolphin
(SCBI 35, 1106-8; B 8, fig.891; S.5448), nearly VF £200
SC0838 Charles I (1625-49), ¡ Half-Unit, 4.91g, Third coinage, Briot’s issue,
King wears English crown (S.5534), softness of strike at centre, otherwise a
lustrous EF and rare £4,250
SC0833 James VI (1567-1625), before Accession to English Throne, Sword and
Sceptre piece, 4.84g, 1602, Eighth coinage (S.5460), VF £1,750
56 NUMISMATIC CIRCULAR
Islamic Coins
I0808 Umayyad, temp. ‘Abd al-Malik (685-705), ¡ Dinar, 4.27g, AH84, mintless
type (Damascus) (Walker 194; A.125), small oberse die crack at 10 o’clock,
otherwise EF £385
I0815 Umayyad, temp. Sulayman (715-17), ¡ Dinar, 4.22g, AH98, mintless
type (Damascus), (Walker 213; A.130), good VF £425
I0809 Umayyad, temp. al-Walid I (705-15), ¡ Dinar, 4.25g, AH87, mintless
type (Damascus) (A.127), obverse a little dirty, EF £385
I0816 Umayyad, temp. Hisham (724-43), ¡ Dinar, 4.15g, AH111, mintless type
(Damascus) (Walker 231; A.136), EF £425
I0810 Umayyad, temp. al-Walid I, ¡ Dinar, 4.24g, AH88, mintless type
(Damascus) (Walker 199; A.127), EF £425
I0817 Umayyad, temp. Marwan II (744-750), ¡ Dinar, 4.22g, AH132, mintless
type (Damascus) (A.141), about VF, rare £5,000
This is the last date for the Umayyad series
I0811 Umayyad, temp. al-Walid I, ¡ Dinar, 4.24g, AH91, mintless type
(Damscus), (Walker 202; A.127), small edge nick at top of reverse edge,
good VF £325
I0818 Spanish Umayyad, Hisham II (first reign 976-1009), ¡ Dinar, 4.02g,
Al-Andalus, AH393 (Miles, Spain 324e; Album 353.1), about EF,
scarce £2,400
I0812 Umayyad, temp. al-Walid I, ¡ Dinar, 4.27g, AH92, mintless type
(Damscus), (Walker 204; A.127), about EF £425
I0819 Murabitid (Almoravid), ‘Ali bin Yusuf (1106-42), ¡ Dinar, 3.96g,
Al-Mariya (Almeria), AH517, no heir cited (Hazard 285; A.466), edge slightly
damaged at 9 o’clock, VF £950
I0813 Umayyad, temp. al-Walid I, ¡ Dinar, 4.27g, AH95, mintless type
(Damascus), (Walker 209; A.127), small scratch on reverse at 12 o’clock, about
EF £415
I0820 Murabitid (Almoravid), ‘Ali bin Yusuf (1106-42), ¡ Dinar, 4.17g,
Al-Mariya (Almeria), AH532, naming heir below obverse (Hazard 359;
Album 466), about EF £1,400
I0814 Umayyad, temp. al-Walid I, ¡ Dinar, 4.24g, AH96, mintless type
(Damscus), (Walker 210; A.127), good VF £400
I0821 Murabitid (Almoravid), ‘Ali bin Yusuf (1106-42), ¡ Dinar, 4.14g,
Al-Mariya (Almeria), AH537 naming Tashfin as heir below obverse (Hazard
403; Album 466), obverse struck from rusty dies, otherwise about EF £1,000
MARCH 2010 57
I0822 Muwahhid (Almohad), Abu Muhammad ‘Abd Al-Mumin (1130-63),
¡ 1 ⁄ 2-Dinar, 2.29g, no mint or date (Hazard 466; A.478), about VF £145
I0828 Afghanistan, Durrani, Ahmad Shah (1735-72), ¡ Mohur, 10.88g,
Shahjahanabad, AH(11)74, ry.14 (KM.766), good VF £625
I0823 Muwahhid (Almohad), Abu Yusuf Ya’qub (1184-99), ¡ Dinar, 4.65g, no
mint or date (Hazard 501; A.484), EF £600
I0829 Afghanistan, Durrani, Mahmud Shah (second reign 1808-17), Rupee,
Peshawar, AH1232, ry.9 (KM.728), good VF, attractive toning £75
I0824 Muwahhid (Almohad), Abu Hafs ‘Umar (1248-66), ¡ Dinar, 4.65g, no
mint or date (Hazard 533; A.491), VF £425
I0830 Uzbekistan, Bukhara, Nasrullah (1826-60), ¡ Tilla, 4.55g, Bukhara,
AH1265 (KM.65), about VF £235
I0825 Mughal Empire, Babur (1526-30), Shahrukhi, mintless type, Kabul
(Rahman 60), good F £145
I0831 Iran, Qajar Dynasty, Fath ‘Ali Shah, (1797-1834), ¡ Toman, 4.60g,
Dar el-Ibadat (Abode of Piety) Yazd, AH1233, type W (KM.753), EF £275
I0826 Mughal Empire, Aurangzeb (1658-1707), ¡ Mohur, 10.92g,
Aurangabad, AH1099, ry.31, mint in lower part of reverse (KM.315.11),
good F/F £275
I0832 Iran, Qajar Dynasty, Fath ‘Ali Shah, ¡ Toman, 4.59g, Dar el-Ibadat
(Abode of Piety) Yazd, AH1235, type W (KM.753), some peripheral weakness,
good VF £265
I0827 Mughal Empire, Aurangzeb (1658-1707), Rupee, Kabul, ry.34
(KM.300.45), VF £35
I0833 Iran, Afsharid, Nadir Shah (1736-47), Rupi, Moqadas Mashhad, AH1155
(KM.385.7), VF £55
58 NUMISMATIC CIRCULAR
ANCIENT, englISh AND foreign coins
and commemorative medals
LONDON, THURSDAY 25 MARCH 2010