The obsidional money of the Great rebellion 1642-1649

&

INK. ic

box, LTD.,

Dealers

ING

ST.,

&

Publishers, s.\v. T .

LONDON,

CALIF. LIBHAHY. LOS ANGELA

Stack

Annex

THE OBSIDIONAL MONEY OF THE GREAT REBELLION. 1642-1649.

Bv PHILIP NELSON, M.D.

HE

period of the Civil war, 1642-1649, or as

termed by Clarendon,

"

The Great

Rebellion,"

it

has been

is

a section

history unsurpassed in interest and the accomplishment of great purposes. Throughout this time

of our

national

warfare was carried on with varying results between the party of the King, or the Cavaliers, and the supporters of Parliamentary Reform. From the austerities of their style of dress and habits the intestine

became known as the Puritan party or Roundheads and this struggle, whatever its merits, by overthrowing the feudal system, initiated that liberty and sense of justice, which are among the latter

;

proudest attributes of the English nation to-day. Into the circumstances which led by insensible steps to the outbreak of the civil war, it is not within our province to enquire it is :

here to remark that the questions in dispute between the and Parliament were such, that both parties despairing of any

sufficient

King

settlement

or

compromise,

determined to put the matter to the

arbitrament of the sword and to "

Upon Nottingham,

August

22,

1642,

a banner inscribed

loose the dogs of war." Charles erected his standard

let

with

the

"

legend,

Religio

at

Pro-

Angliae Libertas Parliamenti," an inscription exwhich in the opinion of the opposition were sentiments pressing somewhat open to question. The first engagement, a cavalry skirmish, testans

Leges

took place at Powick Bridge, near Worcester, September 25, 1642, where the Royalists under Prince Rupert, the King's nephew, were u 2

1685371

The Obsidional Money of the Great

292

Rebellion.

and Colonel Sandys, the leader of the Parliamentarian horse, This initial success raised the hopes of the was amono- the slain.

successful,

their somewhat Pyrrhic victory King's party, but to be damped by of Edgehill, October 23, 1642. In the course of the following year were contested the battles ot

Chalgrove Field, June 18, where the patriot Hampden was mortally wounded Atherton Moor, June 30 Lansdown, July 5 and Roundway Down, Devizes, July 13 in all of which engagements the party of the ;

;

;

;

King was

victorious.

storm by the Crown

On

July 26, the city of Bristol was carried by forces under the command of Prince Rupert, and

stronghold proved a most important acquisition, since at that In the same year, period Bristol was the first seaport in the kingdom. September 20, was fought the first battle of Newbury, in which this

combat Lords Falkland, Sunderland and Carnarvon were among the slain, the former of whom thus attained to that peace he sighed for.

The campaign of 1644 opened with by Sir Thomas Fairfax, January

the defeat, at Nantwich, in Cheshire,

25, 1643-1644, of a body of Irish which landed at troops, having Mostyn, in North Wales, had overrun Cheshire on behalf of the King. England was, however, invaded from the north by the Scots at the instance of the Parliament, who were

with difficulty kept in check by the Royalists under the command of At this time Fairfax returning from Marquis of Newcastle.

the

Cheshire, defeated Colonel Bellasis at Selby, and Newcastle, fearing to be surrounded by the two converging forces, retreated to York,

where he was

at once besieged. Prince Rupert marched to his aid, on his several relieving way beleaguered garrisons, among others that of Lathom House.

Acting upon the urgent commands of Charles, whose headquarters were then at Oxford, but contrary to the advice of Newcastle, with whose forces he had effected a junction, Rupert, who meant fighting,

led

forth

and joined

July

2,

joint

command in

army

to the

moor near Long Marston, upon

battle with the levies of the Parliament,

of Fairfax and Cromwell.

were disastrous victory

the

to the cause of the

The

under the

results of this

combat

King, as the fruits of apparent

the earlier stage of the action,

were

lost,

owing

to the

Historical Introduction.

293

rashness of Rupert. On the morrow he withdrew his shattered forces into Lancashire and on July 16, York opened its gates to the victors. One of the results of this battle was the withdrawal of the Marquis of Newcastle from the strife

this nobleman, seeing the hopelessness of the Royalist cause, and disgusted that his advice had been disregarded, retired to Scarborough, whence he passed over to the Continent, and

remained there

;

until the Restoration.

Previous to the battle of Marston Moor, Waller had been routed

Copredy Bridge near Banbury on June 29, by the Royalists, who then marched westwards against the forces of Essex. The latter's army at

was cornered

Cornwall and compelled to capitulate, with the exception of the horse, which under Balfour passed safely

falling

back,

through the

however

in

Royalist lines

a mist and so escaped.

in

to this surrender, Essex,

who had abandoned

Previously

his army, escaped

Plymouth. After this Parliamentary reverse, there was fought, October 27, the second battle of Newbury, the results of which combat were upon the whole adverse to the cause of Charles.

by boat

to

In the beginning of the following year, January 30, 1644-45, a conference was arranged at Uxbridge, for an attempted settlement of the matters in dispute between the King and the Parliament, but the negotiations

fell

through and

civil

war was

at

once renewed.

by the House of Lords, April 3, 1645, Essex, Manchester, Warwick and many others, relinquished their commands, and the chief military control From this point onward into the hands of Sir Thomas Fairfax.

As a consequence

of the self-denying ordinance passed

passed misfortune dogged the Royalist cause.

On

June 14, 1645, Charles the. hands of Fairfax and

sustained a crushing defeat at Naseby, at Cromwell, a result due, as ever, to the impetuosity of Rupert. in this battle lost nearly

The King

a thousand killed and some five thousand

what proved even more damaging to his cause, was subsequently published namely, his private correspondence, which in the vain hope of by the Parliament. Charles retreated to the West, more troops in Wales, and at the same time Rupert threw

prisoners, together with

raising

himself into Bristol. Fairfax

following

into

the

south-west,

rapidly

captured

in

294

The Obsidional Money of

succession

the

the

Great Rebellion.

and

Bridgwater, Bath and Sherbourne, to the investment of Bristol, which

towns

of

city proceeded So capitulated after a very feeble resistance, September n, 1645. annoyed was Charles at Rupert's unlooked-for surrender of this

immediately

stronghold of the west, that he recalled all his may be said that the fall of Bristol was the finally

decided

the

of

fortunes

the

war.

commissions, and circumstance

Meanwhile,

it

which

upon

the

surrender of Carlisle, June 25, the Scots army had marched south and besieged Hereford, but was obliged to fall back into Yorkshire before the advance of the forces of Charles, who passed north to relieve Chester.

Here

at

Rowton Heath, September

24,

he suffered

immediate reduction of the yet another defeat, which west by the Parliamentary arms under Fairfax. resulted in the

Charles,

immediately after

this

battle,

once

more returned

to

was invested by Colonel Rainsborough. On April 27, the King, disguised as a servant, effected his escape, and making his way to Newark, gave himself up to the Scottish army, which at the time, May 5, was besieging that town. Oxford, which, early

in

1646,

Newark, together with all other strongholds held for the Crown, was surrendered by command of the King, and the Scots fell back At this city the King, by easy stages upon Newcastle. was handed over to the English Comupon January 30, 1647, missioners, in return for a

pay

for

payment of ,400,000, claimed as arrears of the Scottish troops, and this transaction led to the saying :

" "

Traitor Scot

Sold his King for a groat."

Charles was removed to

Homeby House

in

Northamptonshire,

but after the raid of Joyce, he was conducted to Hampton Court. In November, he was induced to secretly retire to the Isle of Wight,

where he was detained

at Carisbrook Castle

the governor, and later conveyed to a prisoner.

At

this period, 1648,

to accept the

by Colonel Hammond, Hurst Castle, where he remained

made to induce the King terms offered by the Parliament, which however Charles vain efforts were

Silver Plate coined into Money. refused.

which

now occurred in Wales, Essex and the North, in locality the Duke of Hamilton was at the head of an

Risings

latter

invasion in July, and to which the

however

were

295

King was

These attempts

privy.

suppressed, Cromwell defeating in turn and Hamilton a few days later. Ten Preston, Langdale days subsequently, namely on August 27, Fairfax captured Colchester, the headquarters of the Royalists in Essex, and this practically terminated readily

at

the campaign.

For bring

his alleged complicity in these events,

the

to

King

On December

trial.

was determined to

it

23,

he was brought

to

Windsor, thence to St. James, and lastly to Whitehall, January 19, 1649. Having been arraigned before a specially constituted tribunal,

he was condemned to death on January 27, and three days later was beheaded in front of the banqueting chamber at Whitehall, being subsequently buried during a snow storm at Windsor.

commencement enthusiasm was shown by both

Upon

the

of

the

civil

war,

and

nobles

sides,

extraordinary

gentry gladly order to supply the sinews of war, whilst the partisans of the Parliament were not to be outdone in their efforts, as will be apparent from the following lines culled from

contributing their jewels

Butler's

Hudibras

and plate

in

:

"

Did

"

And crowd

saints, for this, bring in their plate,

as

if

they came too

late.

"

For when they thought the cause had need " Happy was he that could be rid on't. " Did they coin trenchers, bowls and flagons, " In't officers of horse and dragoons. " And into pikes and musquetteers, Stamp beakers, cups and porringers ? " A thimble, bodkin and a spoon,


"

Did

"

As

start

up

"Just

men

as soon were thrown, they

living

in the furnace

like the dragon's teeth 1

Hudibras,

Pt.

I, c.

2,

being sown." 1.

562

1

(revised).

on't,

296

The Obsidional Money of the Great Rebellion.

ENGLAND in the

GREAT REBELLION A.O. 1642-1660.

FIG.

I.

Silver Plate coined into Money.

297

July 12, 1642, the two Houses of Parliament made an order to prohibit the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge from contributing their plate to the cause of the Information was however sent King.

Upon

to Charles of the rich store of plate at these places, and the readiness of the authorities to contribute the same to further his aims, and, as a

result of this, the

King dispatched

to

the Vice-Chancellor

of each

University two representatives with letters of authority, so that the might be duly effected. The University of

transfer of these riches

Oxford and the majority of safely

conveyed to the King

was not

sent,

The

although

colleges sent their plate, which was but that of the University of Cambridge

its ;

many

of the individual colleges contributed

treasures of St. John's and

Magdalen, however, never reached their destination, but were seized by Cromwell whilst in A portion of the University plate was used by transit to Nottingham. theirs.

weight at that town for the purpose of paying the troops, and much was converted into coins at Shrewsbury, at which place the King established a mint. Here coins of large size were issued, namely :

pounds, half-pounds and crowns in silver, one of which was respecThe tively presented, to each colonel, sub-officer and private soldier. wholesale destruction of silver plate at this period is no doubt largely responsible for the extreme rarity of pre-Carolian silver, which, in turn,

accounts for the high prices

now

realised

by any

silver plate antecedent

to 1640.

Following the overthrow of the Royalist cause at Naseby, the struggle to a large degree devolved into a succession of defensive

measures on the part of the Cavaliers, who, on behalf of the Crown, It is defended numerous castles and towns throughout the land. the during this period of 1645-1649 that the greater number of the were struck, majority siege-coins we are about to pass in review

Siege money was struck at the Beeston Castle, Carlisle, namely

being issued during the earlier years. following

Scarborough,

in

England, Lathom House,

places

:

Newark, Colchester and Pontefract

These coins were doubtless used for paying the defending also be accepted as currency by the garrisons, and would probably Castle.

neighbouring country-side.

The

the rudest majority of the coins are of

The Obsidional Money of

298

the

Great Rebellion.

admit of careful execution, since the necessities of the time did not in all probability no competent die-sinkers or moneyers production, and

would be available.

The

coins were usually struck

flans

by melting down would expect, under the trying

specially prepared

what one

only

being struck This is the plate.

of silver, in place of platters, cups, etc.,

from trenchers,

upon

irregular pieces of plate, cut

upon

circumstances in

which the various garrisons found themselves placed.

That

this

the case is clearly proved by the many examples existing, which traces of the original decoration are still visible, in instances

even,

particularly

the rim of the dish being

upon

still

examples issued

to be seen at the

evidence of this direct use

Additional

blanks

of

siege-coins

bearing hall-marks, which

in detail,

silver

that

and

I

is

upon some

at

Scarborough, edge of the piece.

silver

plate for the

by the existence of four will be referred to presently

afforded

production

coin

of

was

believe that at Carlisle and Pontefract only

was the

It is recorded melted down, prior to being struck into coins. of Sir Gervase Cutler the second Pontefract, siege during

contributed

,1,000 worth of family

plate,

in

order

to

defray the

expenses of the garrison.

We

will first consider the various siege-coins struck in England the civil war, and then pass on to review those obsidional during pieces and other moneys of necessity issued in Ireland about the .same period, taking the coins in their chronological sequence.

CARLISLE. was defended by the Royalist forces under Sir Thomas Glemham from October, 1644, until June 25, 1645, when it was Carlisle

surrendered to the commander of the investing Scottish army, David The city was never assaulted, the Leslie, afterwards Lord Newark. siege being rather in the nature of a

was brought about hopelessness of

relief.

blockade, and

the

surrender

by the scarcity of food, and in part by the Eor after the defeat of the King's forces at

in part

Carlisle.

the garrison, realising that further resistance vain, opened negotiations for the surrender of the city, and the

Naseby, June

was

299

14, 1645,

FIG. 2.

defenders,

VIEW OF CARLISLE FROM STANWIX,

tire.

I"JOO.

who numbered some seven hundred, were

permitted to

march out with all the honours of war, June 25, 1645. For much information relative to the events which occurred at this place, we are indebted to one of the citizens named Tullie, whose Narrative of the Siege of Carlisle still exists. From this work we learn that about Christmas, 1644, the corn in the town was taken from the inhabitants and placed in stores, and, he adds,

"a good

while

after,

an

order was published to

every

citizen

to

bring in their plate to be coyned, which they did chearfully." From this domestic plate siege-coins of two denominations

were

struck, viz.

which appears

:

to

three-shilling pieces

and

shillings, the

minting of

have been carried out under the control

of the

Corporation.

The

following

is

a

list

of

the plate obtained for the purposes

of coining-, amounting in all to 1,162 ozs., which, at five shillings considerable per ounce, was equivalent to ^"280 us. ioj^., a for metal sum at that period. In preparing the rough minting, thus left which ozs. 86 there was lost, etc.,

by melting,

refining,

The Obsidional Money of the Great Rebellion.

300 1,076

ozs.

available for striking the coins.

FIG.

was struck

3.

4.

at the rate

CARLISLE.

metal so obtained

CARLISLE CASTLE AND CITY WALLS, arc. iyoO.

of six

shillings

produced ^323 worth of coins, or

FIG.

The

in

to

other

the

ounce,

words

which thus

6,460

THE HALF MOON BATTERY, BRIDGE AND MOAT,

arc.

shillings,

1

700.'

I am indebted to Messrs. Burnham, printers of Carlisle, for permission to reproduce the three illustrations of old Carlisle. 1

Carlisle.

and

301

not improbable that this would be divided into 1,000 threeshilling pieces, and the balance into 3,460 shillings. From another source we learn that the coins were actually issued on May 30, it is

1645, and consequently they would space of about one month.

A

the i3th

May

1645

of

list

only be

in

circulation

for

All

the Plaite Brought in to be with the weight thereof.

Coyned

oz

Will Atkinson. Alder one :

salt

Widdow

Winde

Mill Boule. a Trencher

&

three spoones w l ... ... ... ... Craister one beare boule one beaker one wine

boule and six spoones

"I

OI2

\

O

\

024

\

o

...

008

\

j

vv l

w

Julian Aglionby one Boule

l

...

...

...

Bowles w ... ... ... ... .. Thomas Kidd one Boule w ... ... ... ... ... Will: Wilson Tanner one Bowie one Beaker w ... Thomas Lowrie 2 spoones w l Robert Sewell one spoone w Collnell Kirkebride one bowle 4 spoones w Mary Carlile one bowle and 8 spoones w ... Edward Dal ton one bowle one Tumbler & 2 peeces of broken plate w 1 ... ... ... ... ... Mrs. Chambers 2 beare boules and one wine boule w Mr Glaisters 3 beare bowles & 6 spoones w Widdow Baines Junior one bowle 2 spoones w ... Thomas Jackson one bowle & 2 spoones w Thomas Monke one bowle w l Josph Jefferson one bowle w Mr Edward Orpheur one bowle 4 spoones w John Orbell 2 bowles one gilt bowle and 10 spoones w ...

Edmond Kidd

2

l

l

015 007

l

l

l

l

"I

O22

J

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

Widdow Orpheur 4 spoons w Mr Edward Fountaineone bowle one l

salt and 2 spoones w bowle ... gilt Thomas Craggill 2 wine bowles and 3 silver spoones w Henry Monke one beaker 4 spoones w Thomas Tallentyre one bowle 4 spoones w l Captaine Aglionby one bowle w

Mr

Richard Wilson

w

l

l

I

l

...

l

l

Sr

Thomas Glemham

2 Candlesticks

Mr George

w

l

Barwicke one bowle 6 spoones ... Robert James one bowle \v ... l

...

\v l ...

008

\

o

the

The Obsidional Money of the Great Rebellion.

;o2

oz ... one sugardish w Sr Henry Fletcher one tankard one salt I tumbler \ / f 2 wine bowles o spoones w l Capt: Cape 2 beare bowles 2 gilt salts one Colledge pott l

Jsabell Holliday

on ->->

"1

one Can

Mr

gilt

one

gilt

beaker

Mrs

Tullie 5 spoones

w

l

l

... ... ... ... John Tomlinson one bowle w ... ... ... ... Edward James one bowle w ... Sr Will: Dalston one greate salt one lesser salt one bowle l

l

>

\v l

...

...

...

...

l

l

l

l

The

Citties plate 2

Flaggons

beare bowles

2

w

8

_o

Q

145

o

006 008 008

o

o o o

J

^

2 gilt

bowles one

003

j

2~

J

...

Leo: Dykes one bowle one Tankerd 6 spoones w ... ... ... Lewis West I bowle \v ... ... ... ... Sr Tho: Dacre 2 bowles w ... ... ... Capt Johnson one Tankard one salt \v

Mr Mr

L

4

Qg

"1

8 spoones

o

a

\v l

Fredericke Tonstall one dozen i of plate

w

f

... ...

...

...

030 009 019 030

f

c

f

|

o

o

o

gilt saltl

l

1162-4-1 Received to

plate 1162 oz

in

Mr Dykes

Lost

in

i at

i

6 s per oz

at

5

meltynge and working

per oz Deliured-|

hands

r resting in o

300''

stamped out of 1076 oz.

Gayned by Coyning

s

at

o

23''

6 per oz s

...

3 >

323

o

3

8

4

J

...

...

...

...

42

...

...

...

...

21-100

(Endorsed)

May

A

the 13 th 1645.

note of

plate Coyned.

As

previously mentioned, coins ot two sizes were issued at Carlisle, and of each denomination two distinct varieties are found.

Each piece bears two reverse readings, which reverses are common to both values, and read These respectively in two and three lines. coins i.

may be Three

described as follows Obverse.

shillings.

double

circle,

.

;

e

^

9

<j& beneath a large crown, within a

the outer beaded, the inner linear.

OBS Reverse.

^

:

:

CARL 1645

I

within a similar double

circle.

Weight, 238 grains.

Beeston.

Three

2.

shillings.

&C

Obverse.

303

R

*

s

III

s

OB CARL

Reverse.

.

,

within a double

circle.

Weight, 239 grains.

-

'

double Reverse.

* '

Obverse.

Shilling.

\

^

CARLISLE THREE-SHILLING PIECE.

FIG. 5.

3.

\

* '

C~"

u

U

xn

* '

beneath a crown, and within the usual

^

circle.

Similar to No.

FIG.

i.

Weight, 79-5 grains.

6.

CARLISLE SHILLING.

Obverse. Similar to No. 3. Shilling Reverse. Similar to No. 2. Weight, 80 grains. 4.

All the above were struck

upon

circular

and octagonal blanks.

BEESTON CASTLE. Beeston

hundred Chester very

feet ;

it

Castle,

high,

in

and commands

was therefore

considerable

Cheshire,

at the time

importance.

stands upon a hill nearly four one of the three approaches to

we

are considering a position of

Occupied by three hundred

Parlia-

The Obsidional Money of the Great Rebellion.

304

mentarian troops, February 21,

December

13,

when

of

men

7.

was held by them

until

BEESTON HILL AND CASTLE.

scaled the

commander, Captain

it

was surprised by Captain Sandford, who with a

it

FIG.

handful

1643,

walls

and captured the

Steel, being subsequently shot

account of his supposed treachery.

The

castle

the

strong-hold,

by remained

his party in

on

the hands

of the Royalists, unattacked, until October 20 of the following year, 1644, on which date it was besieged and remained invested until

March

wnen

was relieved by Prince Rupert. In the course of the following month it was, however, again besieged, and, after a brilliant defence, was surrendered by the 17, 1645,

it

commander, Captain Valet, to Sir William Brerton, but the garrison who numbered fifty-six, were allowed to march out with all the honours of war, and retired to Denbigh, a place at that time held on behalf of the King. Upon the surrender it was discovered by the victors that no food remained in the stronghold, with the exception of a

meat

pasty and some live pea-fowl.

There

is

no documentary evidence extant to

assist us in assigning

the following coins to Beeston, but I think it will be agreed that there is a marked resemblance between the pictures of the castle gateway

and the view which occurs upon the the case

of.

Fig. 13.

The

coins,

more

especially perhaps, in

coins issued from Beeston Castle are struck

upon irregular segments of silver, evidently cut from trenchers, dishes,

Beeston.

305

They are unifacial and bear impressed upon them a somewhat crude representation of the castle gateway, within a beaded indent etc.

;

FIG. 8.

whilst the value, which

THE GATEWAY OF BEESTON CASTLE. is

expressed

in

Roman

1

numerals,

is

punched

in

separately beneath. Owing to the coins having been struck upon rough sections of plate, and therefore being of varying weights and intrinsic values, pieces of very numerous denominations occur, as will be seen in the subjoined list of coins.

The

following pieces are found, s.

d,

20 i

6

s.

13 12 i

1

VOL.

II.

I

am

d.

i

viz.

:

s.

d.

d.

s.

10

/

6

ii

10

indebted to Mr. Larkin, F.R.C.S., for Figs.

7

and

8.

The Obsidional Money of

306

the Great Rebellion.

U FIG. 9.

TWO-SHILLING PIECE.

ONE SHILLING AND FOURPENCE.

FIG. 10.

ONE SHILLING AND A PENNY.

FIG. II.

FIG. 12.

SHILLING.

FIG. 13.

TENPENCE.

FIG. 14.

SEVENPENCE.

BEESTON SIEGE-PIECES.

No

doubt other denominations would be struck, but

if

such was

the case, they have not survived to our time. The values of these coins vary in proportion to the weights for example, the two-shilling piece weighs 208 grains, and the seven-penny :

piece 53-5 grains.

UNCERTAIN TWO-SHILLING

PIECE.

The example upon

it

towers,

of a siege-piece of the value of two shillings, having the representation of a castle gateway with two tall flanking

is

of

much

interest, since the coin is

formed from the bowl of a

In addition to the value I I (punched in separately) this piece spoon. bears the leopard's head, the hall-mark of the period, impressed at a point opposite the juncture of the stem with the bowl,

when

in

its

Scarborough.

307

evidently was part of a seal-head or Apostle spoon, which spoons are always hall-marked thus, with the leopard's head original state.

FIG. 15.

It

UNCERTAIN TWO-SHILLING PIECE BEARING A HALL-MARK.

within the bowl.

This

coin,

which weighs 155*5 grains, was succes-

Webb and Murdoch cabinets. In regard to its attribution, cannot agree that this piece emanated from Beeston Castle, since the resemblance between it and the pieces usually attributed to that place is not sufficiently close to justify the supposition.

sively in the I

SCARBOROUGH CASTLE. Scarborough Castle, which was held by Sir surrendered,

to

Sir

Mathew

Hugh

Cholmondeley,

Bointon, after having

1645, July the rigours of a twelve months' siege. at Beeston, pieces of most unusual denominations were issued

withstood

As

22,

all

being struck upon irregular pieces of silver, which obviously were obtained by cutting up trenchers, dishes and This fact is clearly proved to have other articles of domestic plate.

from

this stronghold,

been the case by some few examples which have come down to us, article still upon which the raised and reeded rim of the original of this evidence. survives. Figs. 16 and 20 are good examples The siege-coins struck at Scarborough have impressed upon them a rough representation of Scarborough Castle, showing the main entrance and five towers, whilst beneath is the value punched in separately.

X

2

The Obsidional Money of the Great Rebellion.

3 o8

FIG.

FIG.

I

6.

SCARBOROUGH CROWN.

SCARBOROUGH THREE-

I?.

FIG.

1

8.

SCARBOROUGH TWO-SHILLINGSAND-TENPENCE.

SHILLING PIECE.

The

reverse of these coins

is

blank, save for the few specimens

OBS which bear

engraved

upon

them

the

words

$carbcrougK

which

1645 engraving, however, may possibly not be contemporary with the siege, but may have been added subsequently, as a memorial, about the date of the Restoration.

There appear

have been two dies

use for the striking of these coins one gives us a somewhat sketchy picture of the castle with two of the towers much raised, Figs. 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24 to

in

;

and

25,

whereas the other portrays

it

with a greater wealth of detail

Scarborough.

and

in addition

and

21). It

may be

has S.C. beneath,

in

easily gathered that,

309

faintly raised

owing

capitals (Figs. 16

to the lack of the necessary

and of the necessary engines for striking the these coins are of the rudest execution, and since the values are

tools for sinking the dies pieces,

dependent upon the weight of the piece of metal upon which the design happened to be struck, specimens of the most varied denominations occur.

TWO-SHILLINGSAND-SIXPENCE.

FIG.

FIG. 19.

2O.

TWO-SHILLINGS-

FIG>

22.

i

ONE-SHILLING-AND-SIXPENCE.

SCARBOROUGH

SIEGE-PIECES.

doubtcoins of thirteen different values are known, though have been issued. The weights and values are

all,

less other sizes

as follows

TWO-SHILLING PIECE.

V

In

FIG. 21.

AND-FOURPENCE.

must

:

s.

d.

grs.

5

o

292

s.

d.

grs.

3 4

4^/.

40 grs.

The Obsidional Money of the Great Rebellion.

3io

ONE SHILLING.

FIG. 23.

FIG. 24.

SCARBOROUGH

To

ONE SHILLING.

FIG. 25.

FOURPENCE.

SIEGE-PIECES.

same town may be attributed the following piece which was exhibited to the British Numismatic Society by Mr. Baldwin in the

1905.

January,

A

Tower

shilling of Charles

countermarked upon the reverse with a large S

FIG.

26.

I.,

mint-mark, plume,

ornamental

in

script.

COUNTERMARKED SHILLING ATTRIBUTED TO SCARBOROUGH.

NEWARK. after

Newark-on-Trent, sieges,

Charles

was upon I.

May

6,

having withstood several successive 1646, surrendered by the command of

to the Scottish army, at that

two days afterwards

it

was transferred

time besieging the town, and to the

Commissioners of the

English Parliament. Coins were issued here dated 1645 and 1646

;

of the former year

we have

pieces of the values of half-a-crown, shilling and ninepence, whilst of the latter year we have, in addition to these denominations,

The general design of the coins is the same, the obverse having within a beaded border a crown between the letters C R and the value expressed beneath in Roman numerals whilst the sixpence.

;

Newark.

o

U

e '_2

H

The Obsidional Money of

312

Great Rebellion.

the legend in three lines OBS with the date beneath, in Arabic figures.

upon the reverse

NEWARKE,

the

is

All the coins issued from

Newark

NEWARK

or

are struck

upon lozenge-shaped trenchers and from the cut direct which were dishes, flans, apparently other varieties of silver plate in the town, or which could be obtained from Royalist adherents

We

will

now

in the

districts.

neighbouring country

consider these coins

in detail, in order, if possible, to

determine their probable chronological sequence.

FIG.

The

28.

NEWARK

SHILLING.

piece to appear would be the shilling, which bears upon obverse a most curiously shaped crown, the jewelled band of first

OBS

which

is

straight across the front, whilst the reverse reads

NEWARKE 1645

The obverse (a)

of this coin

Nine dots right

arch

in ;

the

is

struck from two separate dies,

left

arch of the crown

C R and XII,

in

thin

;

viz.

:

nine dots in the letters.

Weight

Fig. 28.

(fr)

94 grains. Nine dots in the left arch eight dots in the right arch C R and XII, in thick letters. Weight, 93 grains. ;

The

;

occurrence of two distinct obverse dies for this coin, in my opinion, disproves the theory which has been advanced, that these more especially is this evident since we find that pieces are forgeries ;

there

are

shillings

and ninepences, which are admittedly genuine,

combined with the selfsame reverse

The second

die.

coin to appear would doubtless be the shilling with

Newark. the

same reverse

NEWARKE,

reading,

crown on which has a high arch and a

new

but with a

obverse, the

richly jewelled band.

It

weighs

87 grains.

No

doubt

NEWARKE

about

would be

the issued,

different obverse dies, viz. (a)

Eleven dots

(b)

Eleven dots

same

time

the

ninepences reading struck from two

which pieces occur

:

the

arch

eleven dots in the right arch of the crown, which has a richly jewelled band. Weight, in

left

;

69 grains. in the left arch

nine dots in the right arch of the crown, which has a simple jewelled band. Weight, ;

68 grains.

OBS

Following

this

would be issued the

which reads

shilling

:

NEWARK 1645

which reading now appears for the first time. The crown upon the obverse has ten dots

the

in

arch and

left

eight dots in the right arch of the crown, the jewelled band of which of a very simple character. This piece weighs 92 grains

Upon one retrograde

;

it

of the shillings of this date the therefore reads c H.

R

upon the obverse

OBS

Subsequently the ninepence

(a)

which reads

is

is

:

NEWARK

would

1645 appear.

The obverse

die of this coin

is

identical with that of the ninepence

dots previously described, and has upon the crown eleven and nine in the left and right arches respectively. It. weighs 64 grains.

(b)

United with the same obverse die we

find another reverse in use.

half-crown of this year, which is proved This by the occurrence of a small dot beneath the 4 of the date, 1645. It is

the

same as

that of the

ninepence (d] weighs 63 grains. The last denomination to be struck

in

1645 was the half-crown, the

obverse of which shows us a crown with a crenellated arrangement of the same die as the jewels on the band, whilst the reverse is from

NEWARK

ninepence (d) of the same date.

This

coin,

which weighs

The Obsidional Money of

314

the Great Rebellion.

of comparative rarity, and this would point to the fact of having been struck very late in 1645, probably in March, O.S.

221 grains,

is

FIG.

With regard

NKWARK HALF-CROWN.

29.

the coins struck in 1646,

to

its

it

is

evident that the

issued simultaneously, and no doubt towards the end of the siege, probably in April, the sixpence would In considering the appear, which would account for its greater rarity. date of these coins it is necessary to remember that the year then three higher values would be

began on March

The marked

25.

of

issues

as before

Half-crown. Reverse.

1646 are as follows,

From

the

(a)

30.

A crown with a simply jewelled band, having ten arch and eight dots in the right arch.

Obverse. left

OBS

Reverse.

die as the half-crown of 1645.

same

proved by 234 grains. Compare Fig. dots in the

same

die as the shilling (b) and ninepences of 1646, as the occurrence of a flaw in the 6 of the date. Weight,

the

is

Shillings,

denominations being

:

Obverse.

From

the

:

NEWARK

in

somewhat

thin letters.

Weight, 86 grains.

1646

FIG.

30.

NEWARK

SHILLING,

1646.

Newark.

A

(b} Obverse. left

crown with a

315

richly jewelled band, having ten dots in the

arch and ten dots in the right arch.

OBS

Reverse.

:

NEWARK

from the same die as the half-crown.

in thick letters,

1646 Weight, 90 grains.

Fig. 30.

From

(a) Obverse.

Ninepence.

having eleven dots in

the

the left

same

die as the ninepence (c) of 1645, in the right arches

and nine dots

respectively.

Reverse.

From

the

same

die as the shilling

() and

the half-crown of 1646

Weight, 67 grains. A crown having the band elaborately jewelled, ten dots left arch and ten dots in the right arch.

(b) Obverse.

Reverse.

From

the

same

die as the shilling (b]

in

the

and the half-crown of 1646.

Weight, 68 grains.

Sixpence.

Obverse.

OBS

Reverse.

NEWARK

SIXPENCE.

FIG.

31.

An

elaborate crown between the letters

C

R.

:

NEWARK

Weight, 46 grains.

1646 of the shilling, ninepence, and sixpence of and these were doubtless struck upon flans cut

Not a few examples 1646 are found

FIG.

32.

gilt,

NEWARK NINEPENCE BEARING THE ROYAL ARMS ON THE

FI.AN

The Obsidional Money of

316

from a service of in the list of

the Great Rebellion,

such as the "one guilt boule," mentioned

gilt plate,

Corporation plate presently quoted.

Some specimens

of the shilling and ninepence of 1646 exist which have the Royal arms upon the reverse of the flan, and it appears to me that the coins so marked formed part of some Regal service of plate, which was thus sacrificed to pay the expenses of the siege.

be seen that Fig. 32 also shows piece from which it was cut. It

FIG. 33.

Two Of

the

will

NEWARK NINEPENCE BEARING A HALL-MARK.

other coins struck at

these the

original border of the

Newark deserve

a

in

the

special

collection

recognition.

of coins

the ninepence, property of the Corporation of Liverpool, upon which, beneath the A of NEWARK, appears a leopard's head, the hall-mark of the first

is

The second

piece is a shilling, in the possession of of Newark, w hich coin bears upon the reverse a capital

period.

Dr. Appleby M, within a dotted indent, which appears to be a silversmith's private stamp, and indicates the source whence the piece of plate originally r

came.

There was

in

the

Collection a specimen of a shilling of the obverse die, the reverse being

Montagu

bearing only an impression blank the coin is therefore undated. ;

It

would appear that the Corporation of Newark, unlike that of

Carlisle, did not contribute its plate least, all

of

it,

of the History of Newark to Dr.

The

for

conversion into coin, or at

as the subjoined extract from a letter from the author

Appleby

will

show

:

A

articles of surrender of Newark are dated May 6, 1646. meeting of the Corporation was held May 15, 1646, for the election of an

An

Skilling.

Uncertain

Alderman

in place of Mr. Richards, deceased, "and the better of the towne in the time of visitation " regulating (of the plague which prevailed at that time). Immediately after the minutes of this meeting, but in a different hand and without date is the entry " Plate deliuered to Mr Edward Standishe, consent to be sold :

Alderman, by townes use, and to supplie their p'sent want of money

for the

at the

surrender of the towne.

Imprimis thirteene A'pple [Apostle] spoones Itm twoe high Beere Bowles Itm twoe wine bowles Itm one guilt wine boule Itm five Trencher salts Itm one great stooped salt

The whole

The weight

unfortunately

is left

p'cell

weighing

[

]."

blank.

UNCERTAIN SHILLING.

FIG. 34.

UNCERTAIN SHILLING.

The

die from which the following piece of siege-money, of the value of one shilling, was struck, very closely resembles that of the

Tower

shillings of Charles

I.,

but

whence the

coin was

issued

we

have no means of determining. It is struck upon a lozenge-shaped Newark pieces, and weighs flan, resembling in form those of the 6 1 grains.

It

may be

described as follows

Crowned bust of King

Obverse.

to

left,

:

wearing a lace

collar,

XII behind

the head. Reverse.

The

royal arms quarterly,

upon a

cross fourchee, within a dotted

circle.

It

shilling,

may be

that this piece

was struck from the

from which the legends had been deleted.

dies of a

Tower

The Obsidional Money of

318

Great Rebellion.

the

LATHOM HOUSE.

FIG.

The

following

35.

coin,

siege

LATHOM SHILLING.

which

is

preserved at the

British

Museum, and weighs 125*9 grains, may possibly have been struck at Lathom House in Lancashire, whilst that position was defended by Countess of Derby, against Generals This piece, which is struck Fairfax and Egerton, from 1643 to ^44. upon a piece of trencher plate and is unifacial, may be thus described. de

Charlotte

Shilling. ...

la

Tremouille,

CR

Obverse.

within a dotted circular indent, counter stamped

within an oblong compartment, which doubtless indicates the value.

Reverse.

Blank.

Fig. 35.

COLCHESTER. Colchester,

the

headquarters of

the

Royalists

in

the

eastern

was besieged by Fairfax from this time was defended by June August 17, Lords Capel and Norwich, associated with Sir Charles Lucas and Sir George Lisle, all of whom, with the exception of Norwich, were

counties during the rising of

1648,

and throughout

13 to

subsequently executed.

y->

K

FIG.

37.

COLCHESTER GOLD HALF-UNITE.

Colchester.

319

The Obsidional Money of the Great Rebellion.

320

Coins were struck at

and there pence

this

town

exist the half-unite in

in the latter metal.

Half-unite.

Obverse.

in

two metals,

viz.,

gold and

They An embossed

:

representation

01

the

gateway of

OBS Colchester between the crowned letters Reverse.

silver,

the former and the shilling and nineare as follows

C R

;

beneath,

Incuse, the impression of the obverse die.

COL

rCCCCC~C~~" I6|48

>

Weight, 65^9 grains.

Fig- 37-

The

and ninepence, which occur struck upon circular and are both from the same die and can only be differen-

shilling

octagonal

flans,

tiated

their weights,

latter

FIG. 39.

by

since the former weighs

94 grains and the

only 66.

COLCHESTER SHILLING, ROUND.

These

which are

FIG. 40.

COLCHESTER SHILLING, OCTAGONAL.

have stamped upon them a representation of Colchester Castle, with five towers, and around are coins,

FIG. 41.

unifacial,

MODERN IMPRESSION FROM DIE OF COLCHESTER

SHILLING.

Pontefract.

the words,

Carolj

Fortuna

-,

l

resurgam., in script characters. The reverse shows incuse traces of the obverse The impression. original die for the above silver pieces, which measured about i| inches square, was discovered about 1780, and for a time was in the possession of Dr. Gifford, when restrikes were made in silver, which can only be from the the fact that the distinguished contemporary pieces, ;

:

by

reverses are quite plain (Fig. 41). It has been said that the die was subsequently deposited in the Bristol Public Library, but nothing is now known as to its whereabouts. The contemporary plan, here

reproduced,

very clearly explains the dispositions of the investing

forces (Fig. 36).

PONTEFRACT CASTLE. also known as Pomfret, Castle was on behalf of the king, by a colonel in the 2, 1648, forces of Sir Marmaduke Langdale, one John Morris or Maurice, who, with the aid of a few soldiers disguised as peasants, overcame the small

Pontefract, at this period

seized on June

garrison of this most important station, the key to the North. The castle was invested by Cromwell in the following autumn, who, however, left General Lambert to conduct the regular investment, the plan of which will be seen from the accompanying diagram, executed at the time of the siege. Pontefract successfully resisted all attacks and only yielded March 22, 1649, i.e., nearly two months after the execution of Charles I. Following the surrender, several officers, who had been excepted from "The Act of Grace," were executed, including the

commander,

Colonel John

prison, but loyally

Morris,

who might have escaped from

remained to succour a

fallen

comrade.

An

item of interest relating to this siege, the third and last sustained by Pontefract during the course of the Civil War, is that veterans accordingo to some authorities it was here that Cromwell's " were first known as Ironsides," a name, perhaps, by which they are best

remembered

Pomfret

at

the

may be grouped

duringo the reign o of Charles

VOL.

II.

present into I.

;

time.

two main

The

siege-coins struck at the one issued divisions ;

the other subsequently to his execution,

Y

322

The Obsidional Money of

the

Great Rebellion.

Pontefract.

and

in

name

the

successor,

for

the

garrison

son as King Charles II. the coins of Charles I. there occur two values,

piece and the

shilling.

Of

distinct varieties.

These

coins

shilling

two

his

C SPIRO

DVM

:

The gateway

Reverse.

R

Obverse.

Two-shillings.

:

viz.,

the two-

the latter denomination there exist

may be

described as follows

PONTEFRACT TWO-SHILLING

FIG. 43.

words

immediately

his

acknowledged

Of

of

323

:

PIECE.

beneath a large crown

;

around are the

SPERO.

of the castle, with a flag flying

from a central

above, OBS vertical to left, whilst a hand holding a sword protrudes from the right hand tower. Beneath is the date 1648.

tower,

This

shaped

P C

which weighs 1487 grains,

coin,

is

struck upon a lozenge-

flan (Fig. 43).

FIG. 44.

Shilling Reverse.

I.

Obverse.

As on

As on

PONTEFRACT SHILLING. the two-shilling piece.

the two-shilling piece.

which weighs 85 grains, occurs struck upon lozengeFor the striking of shaped, circular and octagonal flans (Fig. 44). the coin two obverse dies were in use, one having c R in large, and This

piece,

the other in small

letters.

Y 2

324

The Obsidional Money of the Great Rebellion.

5 Ei-T;v-fi i*^ ' '^ik ^ ^^'' --':'

:

'

ij '

>-^>

J

^i y^m \ vj_ '

ki *J

*

-

v cr/> Av

-

'

gj

8? ^r*

^

*8

&-+'

*

*

~J *^

^^8%

^'J^^j^l

^^^fe

3

*>^^

.

i;

^-^ \

vsS r*

^^^^./z.- '^

"-

* >:,(.

"?"''

.'?''

/

i

PI

u

Pontefract.

trial

325

During excavations carried out at Pontefract Castle in 1882, a piece of the above shilling was discovered in the castle kitchen.

This piece, which the castle

somewhat corroded and

is

museum.

struck in

It is

preserved in lead and has upon both sides an indistinct,

is

impression of the reverse die.

FIG. 46.

Shilling II.

Reverse.

C R beneath SPIRO I SPERO.

Obverse.

DVM

is

PONTEFRACT SHILLING.

:

The

castle

central tower.

gateway as

OBS

a crown with jewelled band

before, but without the

flag

;

around

upon the

* to the

left.

XII

O

to the right,

and the date 1648

beneath.

This

coin,

which weighs 80 grains,

and lozenge-shaped

Of

is

struck upon both circular

flans (Fig. 46).

the coins struck on behalf of Charles

two denominations

II.

the unite and the shilling, the former being struck in Of the shilling there occur four distinct gold and the latter in silver. are found,

viz.,

varieties.

*^cl r

-

FIG.

47.

***'

mm

A

H

V

^

'

-\

-

^

^

f

PONTEFRACT GOLD UNITE, STRUCK FOR CHARLES

II.,

1648.

The Obsidional Money of the Great Rebellion.

326

Beneath a large crown with jewelled band,

Obverse.

Unite.

DVM

SPIRO

:

The

Reverse.

PC

;

the

vertical, to the left

hand

right

SECVNDVS

R

C

around

;

SPERO.

gateway with a

castle

OBS

:

tower

flag

around

;

upon the central tower between

of the castle, a cannon projecting from are

the

CAROLVS

words,

\

1648

:

struck from circular dies, upon an octagonal It weighs only I38'5 grains, although the full weight

This unique coin flan (Fig. 47).

is

of the unite at this period

was 140*5

The

grains.

recent history

was presented by Bath King-of-arms, F. H. Barnewall, to Sir Thomas G. Cullum, Bart., and was for a number of His years on exhibition in the library of Trinity College, Cambridge. of this coin

that

is

it

grandson, Mr. G. Milner-Gibson-Cullum, exhibited it at the Stuart Exhibition of 1885, after which it passed into the collection of the late

for

At the sale of his collection, it was purchased Mr. Montagu. the late Mr. Murdoch, from whose cabinet, at its dispersal, it

came

into the possession

Shilling

FIG. 48.

of Messrs. Spink.

From

Obverse and Reverse.

I.

the

same

PONTEFRACT SHILLING, STRUCK FOR CHARLES

dies as the unite.

II.,

SECOND

ISSUE,

1648.

H ANC Obverse.

Shilling II.

Beneath a crown with jewelled band, VJT

:

DE

DEDIT

:

1648

CAROLVS

Around, Reverse.

The

:

II

gateway with

OBS

:

coin,

to the best of

:

P

C,

to the

hand tower, and around,

This

D

castle

of which,

FILIO

:

:

flag

MAC?

is

:

B

:

ET

I

H REX. :

on the central tower, on either side cannon projecting from the right

left,

a

POST

:

MORTEM

The mint mark, which precedes

which

my

G

in the collection

!

PATRIS

the legend,

of Miss

is

a

:

PRO

pistol.

Helen Farquhar,

knowledge unique, and weighs 79 grains

:

(Fig. 48).

is

Pontefract.

FIG.

PONTEFRACT SHILLING, STRUCK FOR CHARLES

49.

THIRD

II.,

ISSUE,

1648.

HANG DE :

Beneath a crown with a jewelled band,

Obverse.

Shilling III.

VS DEDIT \

1648

CAROL

Around,

:

II

:

D

I

G*

MAG*

:

I

S

F

:

:

ET

H

:

The

Reverse.

:

R

:

P

castle gateway, with flag upoivthe central tower, D, on either side of the flag, to the left, a cannon projecting from the

OBS

hand tower

right

FILIO This

around,

;

POST

The mint mark, which

!

which

piece,

I

PATRIS

precedes the legend,

is

PRO

:

:

a coronet.

a

is struck upon an octagonal flan the collection of the city of Liverpool, in the cabinet of the Rev. Henry Christmas.

is

It weighing 80 grains. previous to which it was

MORTEM

I

uniqu

is

,

in

.v
FIG.

PONTEFRACT SHILLING OF CHARLES

50.

Obverse

IV.

Shilling

HANG"; DE VS DEDIT I

II.,

LAST ISSUE.

Beneath a large crown with a furred

Around,

CAROL

I

II

:

D

I

G

:

MAG*

band,

B

:

:

F

I

"1648

ET

:

H

:

REX.

-The castle gateway, with flag upon the central tower, P C, on from the either side of the flag, OBS to the left, a cannon protruding

Reverse.

hand tower FILIO. right

;

around,

POST

:

MORTEM

:

PATRIS

:

PRO

:

The Obsidional Money of the Great

328

Rebellion.

This piece, which weighs 83 grains, always occurs struck upon

A

unique proof of this coin, preserved octagonal blanks (Fig. 50). As it weighs only 94 grains, in the National Collection, exists in gold. it

it

is

impossible for

it

to

have been intended

to

circulate as a unite, for

would have been 36^5 grains under the standard weight. The subjoined lines, extracted from a contemporary journal, are of

considerable interest, being as they are the only extant printed notice we have of English obsidional money.

The Kingdom's

Faithful and Impartial Scout,

February 2-9, 1648-9.

Monday, February

5th.

The intelligence from Pontefract is this, " The besieged have lately made two sallies forth, but repulsed without any great loss to us. In the last they killed but one man of ours, and we took two of theirs one of which had a small parcel of silver in his pocket On the one side thereof was stamped a castle with square. Pontefract, and on the other side was the crown with C R on

prisoners,

;

somewhat

PO

for

each side of

it.

These pieces were made of plate, which country, and pass among them for coyn.

the)-

get

out of the

With

the description of the coins struck at Pontefract we arrive at the close of the series of siege coins issued in England during the Civil \\ ar,

and

I

will

obsidional coins and

same

now

pass on to the consideration of the various moneys of necessity current in Ireland about the

period, viz., 1641-1649.

IRISH SIEGE-COINS. month of October, 1641, the native Irish, under Phelim O'Neill, rose in open rebellion against the English, whom, on October 23, 1641, they massacred to the number of forty thousand, sparing In the

neither age, rank, nor sex.

KILKENNY. Banding themselves together, they proceeded to establish their " government at Kilkenny, under the title of The Confederated

seat of

Kilkenny. Catholics,"

and

329

immediately arrogated to themselves many regal

prerogatives, including the striking of money, proposing at the same time to establish an order of knighthood in honour of St. Patrick.

The

pieces so minted by the Confederated Catholics are of copper and silver of the former metal there exist halfpence and farthings, whilst of the latter a half-crown alone would appear to have been ;

The copper pieces were minted under the terms " The Confederated Catholics," assembled at of the proclamation of Kilkenny, November 15, 1642, which ordered, "that there shall be issued at this period.

4,000

Ibs.

harp and It is

of red copper coyned to farthings and halfpence with the the crown on one side and two Scepters on the other." obvious that the design of these pieces was obtained from

the regal farthing tokens of this reign to which they are as superior in weight as they are inferior in execution. They are as follows :

Xo.

I.

two sceptres Reverse.

CAROLVS D

Obverse.

:

between

C

\

FIG.

II.

two Reverse

:

MAC?

BRI.

I

Within a

circle

:

REX.

Within a

circle,

a crowned harp

R.

The mint mark which

Xc.

C?

through a crown.

in saltire

FRAN ET HIBER :

:

Obverse.

occurs upon both sides

is

KILKENNY HALFPENNY.

51.

CAROLVS D :

I

C?

:

MAC?

:

BRI.

a crown. sceptres in saltire through

FRA ET HIB REX. \

mint marks.

:

Fig. 51.

a harp.

:

Within a

circle,

Within a

circle,

a crowned harp.

The Obsidional Money of the Great Rebellion.

330

The weight

of these halfpence

being about the average.

Owing

varies

considerably, 75 grains to the coarseness of design and

roughness of their execution, it is only rarely that specimens are to be met with which show the complete design, though there were in the

Mr. R. A. Hoblyn three pieces, two octagonal which displayed the entire impression.

collection of the late

and one

circular,

FIG.

KILKENNY HALFPENCE VARIOUSLY COUNTERMARKED

52.

As

a consequence of those imperfections forgeries became very frequent, and we now meet with examples variously countermarked

genuine pieces from the contemporary countermarks five castles arranged exist following forgeries. a shield bearing a castle over the letter K, and like a cinquefoil in

order to

the

distinguish

The

;

;

lastly a capital

K

within a shield-shaped indent (Fig. 52).

FIG.

KILKENNY FARTHING.

53.

FARTHING. Obverse.

CARO D I

:

G

:

MAG"

:

BRI.

Two

sceptres in saltire through

a crown.

Reverse.

FRA ET HIB REX. A :

mint mark.

These struck, and

:

crowned harp between

C

R.

No

Fig. 53.

was the case with the halfpence, are very badly very infrequently that we meet with specimens bearing

farthings, as it is

:

Weight, 34 grains.

the entire design.

The Blacksmith's Halfcrowtis.

Kilkenny:

FIG.

54.

33'

COPPER COIN COUNTERMARKED KILKENNY.

In addition to the copper currency struck at this town we also few pieces of copper, countermarked in order

KILKENNY

find not a

to render

By

them current

at this place (Fig. 54).

the excellent researches of Dr.

satisfactorily enabled also to assign

which from

November

Smith we are now

Kilkenny those

their rudeness of execution are

known

as

"

silver pieces

Blacksmith's

struck at Kilkenny to the amount of 4,000 " ordinance The Confederated of Catholics." following 15, 1642, ''the plate of this kingdom be coined with the

Halfcrowns."

under the

to

Aquilla

They were

ordinarie stamp used in the moneyes now currant." Hence it would appear that the coin so issued is the piece described

below.

FIG-

ijij.

BLACKSMITH'S HALFCROWN.

HALFCROWN. Odvfrse.-CA.-ROL.-VS

D


MA

BR

FRA ET HI REX

to the left, with a sword over his equestrian figure of the King, is a broad Upon the housings of the wooden-like horse right shoulder. cross. Mint mark, is a head its cross and upon plume.

Rude

Reverse.'

CHRISTO

AVSPICE

a garnished shield between 222'6 grains.

Fig. 55.

C

The Royal Arms upon Mint mark, a harp. Weight,

RE(?NO R.

The Obsidional Money of the Great Rebellion.

332

Many

varieties exist

which

of which the following occur

D D D D D

CAROLVS CAROL VS CAROLVS CAROLVS CAROLVS

G*

G*

MA

G* G*

coins

C

R, as follows

:

C

FRA ET HIB REX FRA ET HIB RE FR ET HIB REX BR FR ET HI REX BR FR ET HI REX BRI BRI BRI

C

H,

C

B.

was evidently obtained from the

There

is

in

were employed which vary the

distinct dies

R,

obverse reading,

:

MAG* MAG* MAG* MAG*

G*

For the reverse three letters

differ in respect to the

Mr. C. A. Watters an

of

the collection

The design for these ill-executed Tower Halfcrown of Charles I.

Ormond

sixpence, countermarked upon the reverse with a k within a shieldshaped indent, and this piece was doubtless so stamped in order to

render

it

w ar 1641-1643.

current at Kilkenny during the

r

Ordinance.

October 2/th, 1642. It is this day ordered by the assembly, that there shall be a seal in this kingdom, for sealing and attesting such matters as shall be ordered, etc. is this day ordered, that every person or or persons whatsoever, talking discoursing in writing or otherwise of the enemies, shall not call them by the name or names of English or

October 29th, 1642.

Protestants,

but

shall

It

call

by the name

them

of

Puritanical

or

Malignant party.

November

ist,

1642.

It

is

this

day ordered, by

this

great

assembly that the (undernamed) committee shall consider of and lay down a model of civil government within this kingdom, etc.

November

1642.

I5th,

generals, etc., shall lay

It

is

down a model

established in this kingdom, etc. Ordered, that the plate of

this

day ordered, that all the government to be

for the martial

this

kingdom

be

coined with the

stamp used moneyes now currant. The supreme council shall nominate and appoint one or more agents to be imployed to his majesty, hereby to inform his majesty's highness of the motives and causes of raising this holy war, and other the grievances of this kingdom at this present.

ordinarie

in the

Ordered.

It is this day ordered by this assembly, that coin and plate shall be raised and established in this kingdom, according to the rates and

Inchquin Money. values hereafter mentioned, and that there shall be forthwith coined the sume of four thousand pound, to pass currant in and through this kingdom, according to a proclamation, or act published, by direction of this

assembly

in the city of

November

Kilkenny, and not otherwise, etc. The supreme council to take care, that the

iQth, 1642.

king's revenue be daily gathered up, for the for the use of the

November

making of a common stock

Kingdom.

It is ordered, That the right honourable the earl of Castlehaven, and such others as his lordship shall call to his assistance, shall present unto the supreme council of this kingdom an

2ist, 1642.

and order of knighthood, concerning the honour of Saint and the glory of this kingdom, which the supreme council may confirm and ratify so far as they see cause. institution

Patrick,

INCHQUIN MONEY.

On

January 5, 1642-3, an Act empowered Lord Inchquin, VicePresident of Munster, to issue silver coins of various denominations, struck from plate, which the well affected were directed to bring to the

which plate five shillings per ounce was offered. Payment of this, however, was to be deferred, but interest at the rate of eight per centum per annum was to be paid as an inducement to the people to bring in their riches. mint at Dublin,

The

coins

proclamation are

and

for

issued

accordance

in

now known

as

"

the

above-mentioned

Inchquin money," and

grouped into three main classes according

The

with

may be

to their design.

issue consists of coins struck in gold and in silver, which both obverse and reverse, have the weight of the coins pieces, upon indicated in pennyweights and grains, within a circle. first

GOLD. Double

''

pistole.

and the inner Reverse.

Of

Obverse.-^ 14 gr

within a double

circle,

:

linear.

Similar to the obverse.

this piece only

Weight, 205 grains.

two specimens are known.

the outer beaded

Obsidional

334

FIG.

Money of

Obverse.

I.

7_

r

7

Great Rebellion.

INCHQUIN PISTOLE IN GOLD.

56.

'

Pistole

the

within a double circle, the outer beaded and the

:

inner linear. Reverse. II.

Similar to the obverse.

/ within a double

T-

Obverse.

Weight, 103 grains. circle,

Fig. 56.

the outer beaded and the inner

fc>

linear.

Reverse.

"+

/

/ within

a double circle, the outer beaded and the inner

t>

Weight, 102 grains.

linear.

SILVER. Crown

I.

Obverse.

?

fe

within two circles, the outer beaded and the

19.. .8

inner linear. Reverse.

Similar to the obverse.

FIG.

II.

XN

Obverse.

=

o

19

57.-

Weight, 462 grains.

INCHQUIN CROWN.

within a double circle, the outer beaded and the

inner linear. Reverse. III.

Similar to the obverse. *

Obverse.

;

19 Reverse.

o

Weight, 463 grains.

within a double beaded circle.

Similar to the obverse.

Weight, 461 grains.

Fig. 57.

Inchquin Money.

FIG.

IV.

*

Obverse.

58.

within

'|

335

INCHQUIN CROWN.

two

circles,

the outer beaded, the

inner

linear.

Similar to the obverse.

Reverse.

FIG.

V.

Weight, 460 grains.

INCHQUIN CROWN, RETROGRADE.

59.

within two

Obverse. 8

Fig. 58.

circles,

the outer beaded, the inner

i

linear.

Reverse.

It will

Similar to the obverse.

Weight, 464 grains.

be observed that the values on the dies

for this piece are

a retrograde manner which was doubtless oversight on the part of the engraver. Fig. 59.

engraved

in

Halfcrown

dwt; I.

Obverse.

and the inner Reverse.

^

w ithin

to

an

a double circle, the outer beaded

linear.

Similar to the obverse.

clue

Weight, 231 grains.

The Obsidional Money of the ,Great Rebellion.

336

II.

Obverse.

^

.'

INCHQU1N HALF-CROWN.

60.

FIG.

a double

within

circle,

the outer beaded and the

inner linear.

Similar to the obverse.

Reverse.

Shilling

o

:

Fig. 60.

'

fe

Obverse.

I.

Weight, 230 grains.

within a triple circle, the outer beaded, the

21

t\vo inner linear.

Reverse. II.

Similar to the obverse.

Obverse.

Reverse.

,

.

fT

^"ithin triple

Similar to the obverse.

An example

Weight, 93 grains.

beaded

circles.

Weight, 92 grains.

of this coin having the reverse blank occurs in the

National Collection.

FIG.

IXCHQUIN NINEPENCE.

6 I.

'

Ninepence.

Obverse. \J

two inner Reverse.

within a triple

Reverse.

the outer beaded, the

linear.

Similar to the obverse.

'

Sixpence.

circle,

Obverse. 1

Weight, 67 grains.

** / & & within a

Similar to the obverse.

double beaded

Weight, 46 grains.

Fig. 61.

circle.

Inchquin Money.

INCHQUIN GROAT.

FIG. 62.

Groat.

'

Obverse.

^

.'

within a double

g

337-

circle,

the outer beaded and the

inner linear.

Similar to the obverse.

Reverse.

The second

Weight, 29 grains.

issue similarly bears

Fig. 62.

upon the obverse the weight is expressed by the number

of the coin, but the value upon the reverse of annulets present.

SILVER.

w

Obverse.

Ninepence.

'

*> / ^\J within a

double

circle,

the outer beaded and

the inner linear.

Within a double

Reverse.

Sixpence.

.

the outer beaded and the inner linear,

Weight, 68 grains.

nine annulets.

FIG

circle,

63.

Obverse.

INCHQUIN SIXPENCE, SECOND

dwt

:

.

g ";

within a double

ISSUE.

circle,

the outer beaded and

the inner linear.

W ithin T

Reverse.

annulets.

Groat.

a double

circle,

the outer beaded and the inner linear, six

Weight, 46 grains.

Obverse.***: f. within

Fig. 63.

a double circle, the outer beaded and the

inner linear.

Reverse.

Within a double

annulets.

VOL.

II.

circle,

Weight, 30 grains.

the outer beaded and the inner linear, four

The Obsidional Money of

338

Obverse.

Threepence. Reverse.

^ '.

the Great Rebellion.

within a beaded

circle.

m

Within

double

a

beaded

three

circle,

annulets.

Weight,

21 grains.

Of

the threepenny piece only three examples are

now known.

Upon the third and last coinage the value is expressed in Roman numerals both upon the obverse and reverse and the issue, which consists of crowns and half-crowns, is as follows :

FIG.

Crown.

Obverse.

64.

INCHQUIN CROWN, THIRD

V.s within

ISSUE.

a double circle, the outer beaded

and the

inner linear. Reverse.

Similar to the obverse.

FIG.

65.

Weight, 463 grains.

INCHQUIN CROWN, RETROGRADE, THIRD

Several varieties of this coin exist

:

for

Fig. 64.

ISSUE.

example, the die for the

coin illustrated in Fig. 65 has been engraved in a retrograde manner.

FIG. 66.

INCHQUIN HALF-CROWN, THIRD

ISSUE.

Inchquin Money. D

S

Half-crown.

Obverse.

II-VI within a double

circle,

the outer beaded and

the inner linear.

Similar to the obverse.

Reverse.

Weight, 230 grains.

Fig. 66.

Ordinance.

we

Whereas

lords-justices, and council!, for the reasons or order of this board, dated the fifth day of this act, expressed that we find it of absolute moneth, declared, necessity for the reliefe of in

the

an

the officers of army, that (in this case of extremity wherein we now stand, and in the said act or order of this board is more fully expressed)

manner of persons of what condition or qualitie soever dwelling in the city or suburbs of Dublin, as well within the liberties as without, within ten daies next after publication of the said order, doe deliver or all

cause to be delivered half or more of

his,

her or their plate to William

Bladen, of Dublin, alderman, and John Pue, one of the sheriffes of the same city, taking their hand for receipt thereof, to the end use may be

made

thereof for the present reliefe of the said

officers.

And

this

board by the said order did give the word and assurance of his majestic and this state, that as soone as the treasure shall arrive forth of England, due satisfaction shall be made after the rate of five such plate as it true tuch, and the true value not of such tuch to the owner thereof, together with

shillings the ounce, for

of such as

it

consideration for forbearance for the same, after the rate of eight in pound per cent, per Annum or otherwise, that the parliament England according to their severall manifests in England in that ;

behalf, shall

as

will see the same accordingly paid, and for as much that there are divers of his majesties good subjects in

and

we conceive

the county of Dublin who have the like good affections for his majestic and his service, as the said inhabitants of the city and suburbs of

Dublin have, and therefore we conceive they would be loath to be and on the same security, deprived or forclosed of the same meanes, for his majestic and his affections for expressing those their good well to doe them the as we therefore, service upon this occasion to express their readines and favour to give them opportunity and advancement furtherance the forwardnes in this particular, as for fit hereby to declare and of his majesties service therein, have thought of Dublin, and countie the in order, that they the said good subjects of more or his, her or their in halfe every of them, that shall bring received and be shall service aforesaid ;

plate,

for

the necessarie

and on the same admitted so to doe, with the same favour and respect, Dublin are or of suburbs in the cittie and securitie that those dwelling

Z 2

The Obsidional Money of the Great Rebellion.

34O

shall be,

and with

inlargement of time and manner of doing

this

it

to

both, that they may within ten dayes next after the date hereof, deliver or cause to be delivered to the said William Bladen, and John

Pue, halfe or more of his, her, and their plate as aforesaid, taking their hands for receipt thereof, that the said William Bladen and John Pue doe meet every day (except the sabbath day) at the dwelling house of the said William Bladen, scituate in Castle-street, in Dublin, and there continue every forenoon from nine till eleven of the clock, and every afternoon from two till four of the clock, there to receive the said plate,

and

acknowledgements of the receipts thereof expressing the parties name from whom it comes, and the waight tuch, and value thereof, and it being intended that due satisfaction shall be made for the said plate to the owners thereof, after the rate of five shillings the ounce, for such plate as is true tuch, and the true value of such as is to give

not of such tuch, together with consideration for forbearance of the same after the rate of eight pounds per cent, per annum we thinke fit that the said William Bladen, and John Pue doe call to their assistance

Tongues and Peter Vandenhoven, who with the said William Bladen and John Pue are to view the said plate, and the value thereof at the deliverie thereof as aforesaid, and to observe and try the tuch of every parcell of plate, so to be delivered as aforesaid, and by writing" under their hands, and to be written under the acknowledgement to be given by the said William Bladen and John Pue for receipt thereof, to And we docertiffie the tuch and value of every such parcell of Plate. word and of his and the assurance this state, that majestic hereby give as soone as treasure shall arrive forth of England, due satisfaction shall Gilbert

be made to the respective owners of such plate, after the rate of five shillings the ounce, for such plate as shall be so certified as aforesaid, to be true tuch,

and the true value according as the same

shall

be

not of such tuch together with consideration for forbearance for the same as aforesaid or otherwise, of such as

certified as aforesaid

is

;

that the parliament in England, according to their several manifests in England in that behalfe shall and will see the same accordingly paid.

And we

doubt not that

all

persons

who

are able, will

now

express such

cheerfulnesse and forwardnesse herein, as may testifie the true sense they have of the present occasion^ and the desires they have to advance the

publike service, for the good and safety of this kingdome, and of their

own persons and take

in

good part

estates therein,

which and

at their hands,

And we

his majestic

and

will retaine

a

this state will

memory

thereof

require the maior and sheriffes of the city of Dublin forthwith to cause this our order to be published and proclaimed in, and throughout the said cittie, and suburbs of Dublin, for their advantage.

Ormond Money. that

all

persons concerned therein

at his majesties castle of

may

take notice thereof.

Given

Dublin the I4th day of January, 1642.

ORMOND MONEY. Upon May

King wrote from Oxford, where he then was, to the Lords Justices of Ireland, referring to the coining of silver

1643, th e

25,

money from

The

plate.

contents of this letter subsequently

appeared as a proclamation on July

8,

1643, namely

:

We the lords-justices and councell having received his majesties most gracious letters of the 25th of May, 1643, under his highness hand and signature, the tenor whereof is as hereafter follovveth, viz.

:

Charles R.

Right trusty and right well-beloved councellors, we greet you into our princely consideration, that by reason of this most barbarous and bloudy rebellion in Ireland, our good subjects there are reduced to that extreme penurie, that now (as their last

all

;

we taking

helpe and refuge) they are inforced and desirous to have such little plate as they have left them, to be coined for their reliefe, into some

of monie that might passe currant in exchange both there and in our kingdome of England, and that the quantity of plate or bullion there so to be melted down and coined, is of so

small

peeces

small and inconsiderate value, that

it

is

not

worth the charges of

erecting a mint there, according to our former intentions, which would likewise take up more time then their present and pressing necessityes will

permit,

we

are

therefore graciously pleased for the

our good subjects there, to require and authorize you, to issue forth one or more commission or commissions, under the great scale of that our realme, unto such persons or person as you shall thinke fit, thereby authorizing him or them to melt down such plate, releefe of

into coyne, bullion or silver, as shall be brought unto him or them, small peeces, to the value of five shillings, halfe-crowns, twelve-pences, small peeces they six-pences, or of any less value, which several our moneys now as and shall make the same waight, value allay,

currant in England of those value respectively are, and shall stamp the same on the one side, with these letters (scilicet) C. R. for with a crown over those letters, and on the other side Carolus

Rex,

with the values of the said severall peeces respectively, and the same to redeliver to the bringers of the plate, coyne so made and

stamped

bellion

or

silver,

hereby to make

so

all

and as further authorize you such peeces, as shall be so made, to be currant melted dovvne

;

The Obsidional Money of

34 2

Great Rebellion.

the

there, we intending to make the same currant in our kingdome, and that you appoint such allowances unto the said person or persons, for their so coyning of the said peeces, as you

by proclamation

this

them good and and deliverie of security making in and as our said value as the moneys allay, peeces weight, good of the like value now currant in England are, so that no fraud or abuse be done to our people herein and for your so doeing, these our letters shall be your sufficient warrant. Given under our signet, and at our court of Oxford the twentiefifth day of May, 1643. shall

thinke convenient,

and

for their

sufficient

that

you

take

of

true melting,

;

By

his majesties

command, Edward Nicholas.

And whereas by his majesties commission under the great scale of this kingdom, bearing date the seventh day of this month, in the nineteenth yeare of his majesties raigne, Sir John Veale, knight, Peter Vandenhoven and Gilbert Tongues, gold-smiths, are authorized to melt, or cause to be

melted downe, such plate, coine, bullion or them, into small peeces, according and whereof an eight part is to be

silver, as shall be brought unto to his majesties said directions,

and whereas the said Three-pences and Two-pences John Veale, Peter Vandenhoven and Gilbert Tongues, have entred into recognizance, of two thousand pounds sterling, for the true making of the said peeces of the same weighe, value and allay, as his majesties moneys, now currant in England, of those values respectively are, and in

Groats,

;

Sir

such peeces unto the bringers of plate, coyne, or whereof the same shall be made, they first receiving bullion, silver, for the coyning thereof, the summe of three shillings for every pound

for the redelivery of

weight, every pound weight being three pound of sterling money, according to the weight of the tower of London, so to be melted down

and so after the same rate for a greater or lesser proportion, and no more. Now we the Lords Justices and councell, according to.

or coyned,

his majesties

to us signified as aforesaid, doe, by this his proclamation majesties name, publish and declare, that all such as shall be peeces, by them the said Sir John Veale, Peter

good pleasure, so in

Vandenhoven, and Gilbert Tongues, melted or caused to be melted down, or coyned, according to his majesties said letters, and commission, doe and shall presently after the publishing of this proclamation, be currant money of and in this kingdom, and doe and shall passe as currant money in all exchanges and payments, as well of debts, as for any wares, merchandises or other commodities whatsoever. And we require the maior and sheriffs of the city of Dublin to cause

Ormond Money.

343

proclamation to be forthwith published and proclaimed throughout and suburbs. Given at his majesties castle of Dublin, the

this

this citty

eight of July, 1643.

The coins issued under the terms of the above proclamation are now known as Ormond money, the Viceroy at that period 1643, being James, Marquis of Ormond. Pieces of seven denominations,

viz.,

crowns, half-crowns, shillings,

sixpences, groats, threepenny pieces and half-groats were struck, the last of which is of considerable rarity. The general design of these coins, which weigh from 456 to i

s

*J

grains, according O to their denomination, O

R

C

Obverse.

is

as follows

beneath a crown, within a double

beaded and the inner linear. Within a similar double

Reverse.

circle,

circle,

Crown

I.

ORMOND CROWN WITH ORNAMENTED

67.

C

Obverse.

R.

c\

s

Reverse.

II.

V, a

Obverse.

to the S. spiral termination

C

R.

s

Reverse.

III.

V, the S

Obverse.

plain.

C*

R.

s

Reverse.

V, the S small.

Fig. 68.

the outer being

the value expressed in

numerals.

FIG.

:

Fig. 67.

S.

Roman

Tke Obsidional Money of the Great Rebellion.

344

FIG.

IV.

C

Obverse.

68.

ORMOND CROWN WITH PLAIN

S.

R.

.*.

s

Re-verse.

V, the S has curved ends.

Half-crown Reverse.

II.

D

II

vi.

Obverse.

C

FIG.

69.

C

Obverse.

Reverse.

III.

I.

S

S

D

II

vi.

IV.

#

vi,

C

S

D

II

vi,

C

Obverse.

Reverse.

A R.

D

Obverse.

Reverse.

V.

II

ORMOND HALF-CROWN.

Fig. 69.

S

Reverse.

R.

A R.

C

Obverse.

Weight, 456 grains.

S

D

II

vi,

spiral

ends to

S.

A R.

as III, but figures shorter.

A R. figures thinner.

Weight, 227 grains.

Fig. 70.

Onnond Money.

FIG.

Shilling Re-verse.

Obverse.

I.

D XII.

ORMOND HALF-CROWN, PLAIN

70.

C

Obverse.

TYPE.

R.

Fig. 71.

FIG.

II.

345

C

71.

ORMOND

SHILLING.

R, letters smaller.

D Reverse.

III.

XII,

Obverse.

a pellet after X.

C

R, letters small.

D Reverse.

XII, large figures.

FIG.

There No.

is

in

72.

ORMOND SHILLING BEARING HALL-MARK.

Mr. C. A. Walters an example of of plate, obviously cut direct from a piece

the cabinet of

struck upon a flan, since in addition to the design II,

it

bears on the flan the lion passant

The Obsidional Money of

346

the Great Rebellion.

together with the letter jj, the date letter of Goldsmiths' Hall, London, This coin is of considerable interest since it proves for the year 1625. that all the plate was not melted down for the purpose of the coinage the terms of the proclamation, but that in cut direct from the plate. 1 Fig. 72. in

FIG.

Sixpence

cases the flans were

ORMOND SIXPENCE DOUBLE STRUCK.

73.

C

Obverse.

I.

many

R.

D Reverse.

VI.

Fig. 73.

C R, large letters. Obverse. D Reverse. VI, figures large. II.

FIG.

III.

Obverse.

C

74.

ORMOND

SIXPENCE.

R, large letters, no dot.

D Reverse.

VI, large

FIG.

75.

1

figures.

Weight, 46 grains.

ORMOND SIXPENCE BEARING HALL-MARK

See also the

Ormond

sixpence, Fig. 75.

Ormond Money. There

is

in the national collection a sixpence

which bears upon the reverse the

347

weighing 43 grains an English

lion passant, a portion of

1

hall-mark.

Fig. 75.

The Ormond which

is

sixpence in the collection of Mr. C. A. Walters countermarked upon the reverse with a it within a shield-

shaped indent was, as already suggested, no doubt so stamped by the " " Confederated Catholics at Kilkenny in 1643, to render it current at that place.

Groat

2

I.

C

Obverse.

R.

D Reverse. II.

IIII, in thick letters.

C

Obverse.

R.

D Reverse. III.

C

Obverse D

Reverse.

IV.

IIII, in thick letters.

R.

IIII, in thin letters.

C

Obverse.

R, large

letters.

D Reverse.

IIII,

I.

Threepence

D

large.

Obverse.

Weight, 30 grains.

C

R

D Reverse. II.

III, small letters.

Obverse.

CA

R.

D Reverse.

III, small letters.

R. C. Obverse. D Reverse. III, large. III.

IV.

Obverse

Reverse.

C

R.

Ill, III large, D small.

FIG.

76.

Weight, 22 grains.

ORMOND HALF-GROAT. '

'

Compare

the

Ormond

shilling, Fig. 72-

See

?*&

332

'

The Obsidional Money of the Great Rebellion.

348

Obverse.

I.

Half-groat

C

R.

D Reverse. II.

I "I, large.

C

Obverse

Fig. 76.

R.

D Reverse.

II, large.

C R. Obverse. D Reverse. II, II large, D small. III.

Weight, 14 grains.

Not a few examples of the Ormond coinage are copper thickly plated with silver

;

to

be found

in

these were no doubt contemporary

forgeries.

In the collection of

Mr. Lionel Fletcher are two

unstruck, weighing about

85 grains, which

prepared for the making of

Ormond

appear

to

silver flans,

have been

shillings.

REBEL MONEY. During the year 1643, but previously to September 15, when " " peace was declared, the pieces known as Rebel money would probably be issued, and Catholics"

at

" supposed that they were struck by the Confederated These coins were apparently designed in Kilkenny.

it is

the pieces issued from Dublin by James, Marquis of which, as regards the reverse at least, they somewhat

imitation of

Ormond, resemble.

The

1

issue consisted of coins of

two denominations,

and half-crowns.

FIG.

77. 1

THE REBEL CROWN. Vide page 343.

viz.,

crowns

Rebel Money. Obverse. A large cross potent within a double being beaded and the inner linear mint mark, a star.

Crown.

circle,

the outer

;

s

V, the S having spiral ends within a similar double Weight, 376 grains. Fig. 77.

Reverse.

On

the coin illustrated the outer circle

is

circle.

omitted on both obverse

and reverse.

A

variety of obverse.

the crown occurs with

FIG.

Half-crown.

Obverse.

A

a double mint mark, a star.

cross potent within ;

circle,

the outer

D

IIVI, within

Reverse.

on the

pellet

THE REBEL HALF-CROWN.

78.

being beaded and the inner linear S

mint mark

a

similar

double

circle.

Weight,

188

grains.

Fig. 78.

be remembered that the Blacksmith's half-crown issued by the "Confederated Catholics" at Kilkenny in 1642, bore upon the It will

obverse a cross potent as a mint mark.

1

During the years 1646-1647, the following towns, viz., Bandon, his Kinsale, Youghal and Cork, were defended for the King by Munster.

Coins were issued

adherents

in

which

be thus described.

may

1

P/ltfepage 331.

at

all

these strongholds

The Obsidional Money of

350

tke Great Rebellion.

BANDON.

FIG.

Farthing. Reverse.

B

Obverse.

Three

30 grains.

BANDON FARTHING.

79.

B, within a circle of lozenges.

castles,

one and two, within a similar

circle.

Weight,

Fig. 79.

which occurs struck upon an octagonal copper flan, is of very rude execution, and the letters B B, upon the obverse no doubt indicate Bandon Bridge, which was the original name of the town. This

coin,

KINSALE.

Farthing Reverse. II.

I.

A

Obverse.

Reverse.

The

A

FIG.

80.

K

S

Obverse.

chequered

K

S

shield.

KINSALE FARTHING. within a circle of pellets.

Weight, 35 grains.

within a dotted

circle.

shield bearing fourteen pellets.

coins are both struck

Weight, 50 grains.

upon square copper

the rudest execution.

YOUGHAL. FARTHINGS.

FIG. 8 1.

Fig. So.

YOUGHAL FARTHING.

flans

and are of

Youghal. No.

i.

Obverse.

bird

Y

facing to

351

T, beneath which is the date 1646, and above is a the left the whole within a double linear circle. ;

Weight, 14 grains.

A galley, enclosed

Reverse.

FIG.

No.

2.

Obverse.

Y

within a double linear

82.

circle.

Fig. 81.

YOUGHAL FARTHING.

T, above which

a bird within a double linear

is

circle.

Weight, 15 grains. Reverse.

A

galley enclosed by a double dotted

FIG.

No.

3.

Obverse.

Reverse.

A

Y

4.

is

the date 1646.

galley enclosed by double linear

Obverse.

Y

84.

A

circles.

is

by double

the date 1646, and above linear circles.

.Fig. 84.

FIG.

85.

Weight, 54 grains.

Fig. 83.

YOUGHAL FARTHING.

T, beneath which

facing to the right. Reverse. galley enclosed

Fig. 82.

YOUGHAL FARTHING.

T, beneath which

FIG.

No.

83.

circle.

YOUGHAL FARTHING.

is

a bird

Weight, 27 grains.

The Obsidional Money of the Great Rebellion.

352 No.

5.

Y

Obverse.

T, beneath which

is

the date 1646, and above a branch

Weight, 23 grains. A galley surrounded by a double linear

Reverse.

FIG.

No.

6.

No.

7.

Y

Obverse.

Reverse.

A

fish

8.

A

T, within a dotted circle.

With

circle.

Y

Obverse.

A

87.

T, in an elaborated circle enclosed by a circle of small

Weight, 25 grains.

shield bearing a galley, within a circle of triangles.

rude execution, and, save Fig. 86, which last, struck upon rectangular brass flans.

Reverse.

all is

the preceding coins are of circular, are, as is also the

TWOPENCE. __ ._ Io4t>

A

galley enclosed within a double

circle.

upon a rectangular brass flan. be noted that the arms of the city of Youghalare a punning also struck

is

name

allusion to the

of the town,

viz.,

a yawl or galley.

THREEPENCE. Obverse.

within a circle of dots.

j

Reverse.

Fig. 87.

II

This coin It will

Fig. 86.

YOUGHAL FARTHING.

the exception of the last piece

m Obverse.

Weight, 9 grains.

Y

triangles.

Reverse.

YOUGHAL FARTHING.

surrounded by a dotted

FIG.

No.

Fig. 85.

T, within two circles of pellets. Weight, 2O grains. galley on shield enclosed by a circle of triangular dots.

Obverse.

Reverse.

86.

circle.

CR

t*ACL> enclosed

This piece

is

by dotted

struck in pewter.

circle.

Cork.

35;

UNCERTAIN VALUE.

FIG.

R

Obverse.

C

Reverse.

Blank.

The

88.

COPPER COIN ATTRIBUTED TO YOUGHAL.

beneath a crown, within a circular indent. Fig. 88.

is formed from an indecipherable copper coin of Continental origin and is countermarked upon one side only. I have classed this coin with the Youghal pieces on account of its resemblance

flan

The

to the last piece described.

Ormond money

similar to the

design of the countermark

is

very

issued in 1643.

CORK. In the course of the year 1647, the city of Cork was besieged and coins were struck at this place in the month of May during the stay of

Lord Inchquin. Pieces

exist

of

four

denominations,

viz.,

sixpence,

shilling,

varieties occur. farthings, of which latter three

halfpenny and

SHILLING.

Kit

FIG. 89.

C

^^

Obverse.

CORK SHILLING.

within a double

circle,

the outer beaded and the inner

linear.

Reverse.

VOL.

II.

Large XII within beaded

circle.

Weight, 68 grains.

Fig. 89.

2

A

The Obsidional Money of the Great Rebellion.

354

SIXPENCE.

FIG. 90.

Reverse.

As on

Obverse.

Large VI

For

CORK SIXPENCE.

the shilling, but beaded circle only. within a beaded circle. Weight, 34 grains.

were two reverse

this piece there

Fig. 90.

dies.

FARTHINGS.

FIG. 91.

No.

I.

CORK

Obverse.

Reverse.

A

This coin

CORK FARTHING.

within a dotted

circle.

castle within a dotted circle. is

struck

on a square

CORK

within a beaded

and weighs 35

flan,

grains.

Fig. 91.

No.

2.

Obverse.

Reverse.

A

This piece

is

struck upon a square

FIG.

No.

3.

Obverse.

92.

Corke (in

below are two branches, Reverse.

This

circle.

ship issuing from between two towers.

and weighs 41

grains.

CORK FARTHING.

italics) all

flan,

beneath

the head

within a dotted

of a

lion,

whilst

circle.

Blank.

coin,

which occurs

in brass,

weighs 57 grains.

Fig. 92.

Dublin.

355

HALFPENNY. Obverse.

CORK,

Reverse.

A

This

within a dotted

circle,

enclosing a linear.

castle.

piece,

which

is

in the

Fletcher Collection, occurs struck upon

a rectangular flan of copper, and weighs 84 grains.

FIG. 93.

We stamped

FOREIGN COPPER COIN COUNTERMARKED CORKE.

also find contemporary coins, both silver and copper, counterCORK or CORKE, and they were no doubt so overstruck for

currency during the siege.

FIG. 94.

Figs. 93 and 94.

SHILLING OF ELIZABETH COUNTERMARKED CORKE.

DUBLIN. AFTER THE DEATH OF CHARLES of Charles Subsequently to the execution

I.,

I.

money

of necessity

what date arid whence, no information which now exists. Two pieces occur, namely, crown and half-crown, are believed to have been struck at Dublin in 1649 by James, Marquis in Ireland. of Ormond, who proclaimed Charles II. as King 2 A 2

was issued

in Ireland

though

at

The Obsidional Money of

356

FIG.

Crown.

95.

Great Rebellion.

DUBLIN CROWN OF CHARLES

CAR

Obverse.

the

D

II

MAG*

G"

I

II.

BRIT, m. m.

lys

surrounding an arched crown. Reverse.

FRA

a linear

circle,

FIG.

HYB

ET m. m.

96.

lys.

REX

F D

s

and enclosing

Weight, 329 grains.

DUBLIN HALF-CROWN OF CHARLES

Obverse and Reverse.

Weight, 164 grains.

There are two

As on

within

Fig. 95.

II.

S

Half-crown.

V

the crown, but II

D

VI

for value.

Fig. 96.

dies for the reverse of the half-crown.

description of these Irish siege-coins we complete the record so far as our present knowledge extends, of the various coins

With the

issued during the great Civil War. In conclusion I desire to thank so

much

particular

all

those

assistance in preparing this

work

I

would thank the following

:

who have rendered me for publication,

and

in

Dublin.

357

The

Proprietors of the Connoisseur for the use of Figs. Messrs. Spink and 13, 19, 22, 29, 33, 35, 38-40, 45, 48-50

5, 9,

10,

Son

for

Murray

for

;

Figs.

15,

17,

1

8,

20,

21,

23,

24,

44,

47;

Mr.

John

map England illustrating the Civil War Messrs. Longmans for the plan of the siege of Colchester, and Messrs. Thurnam of Carlisle for the three contemporary views of that city. I also wish the loan of the

of

;

thank Mr. Cornelius Brown

block which portrays Newark Castle and also Dr. Appleby of Newark for the use of his coins in

to

must express my those members of the British Numismatic Society

illustrating the coins issued

grateful thanks to

for the

who

at that city.

Finally

I

so generously contributed to the exhibition of Obsidional Money of the Great Rebellion on January 18, 1905, on which date I read this

paper to the Society.

Meeting, January \%th, 1905.

Brown

&

had a

Co.

443

on

distillery

the

ShannoX

in

Limerick, which some thirty years ago passed into the possession of Messrs. Walker and Son. T#is token

was a

tally

used by the firm

in the Distillei

,

H/JIPJO;,

:<,

1

PRIVATE TOKEN OF JOHN ARNOTT AND CO. 3.

Private token\in copper, farming

ARNOTT & etc.,

6^.,

around;'

in four lineV

PAYABLE

AND CORK, a robe .between ONE FARTHING ijAwo lines. Mr.

W. Machado

^aish.

roses

throughout,

JOHN

two

IN

pellets

Sir

;

BELFAST in

exergue & Co.

John Arnott

Drapers in Ireland. (X) William I., penny of

Cambridge Mi/t, Hawkins with

:

SILK MERCERS DRAPERS,

Reverse:

are a well-known frrm o

Obverse

size.

37

as

;

(2)

stops \. m

Testoon da^ed/^IT)L, mint

tl

Henr)| VIIj

;

r

*'\'

V

marl\\Q.V(\j.)

James

I.,

two

wlairVcrosM'' (5\ Charles I., shilling gold half-crowns, / .^^*Sw' P \^v v mint. and sixpence\pf trie\J5Mtol MWal'or Badge. On the obverse engraved Mr. W. Wells. /*"

We/stand firm lov<

to each other,"

and friendship.

and on the reverse

"

In

Sir Robert Black, Knight of the

Pr/vy Seal of Lascey.

August

i4th, 1749."

INSCRIBED SCEATTA.

Sceatta.

Obverse

degraded head Sceatta.

A

:

bust

to right

+ LEDNG.

Reverse:

to left.

variety of

B.M.

catalogue, Plate VI, No. 12.

Proceedings of the Society.

444

Siege Pieces.

The

described by Dr. Nelson in of this volume, the principal

more

following coins are

fully

Paper commencing on page 291 specimens, many of which are unique, being

his

illustrated.

Circular. Obverse Carlisle shilling. Miss H. Farquhar. C R. Reverse in three lines under a large crown

:

:

:

XII

DBS'

CARL,

above, a rosette,

Ruding XXVIII.

cf.

3.

645

Newark.

Set of four pieces, namely, half-crown, and ninepence, of 1645, from the Murdoch sale,

ex Thorburn,

lot 176,

Ruding XXVIII,

7, 8,

shilling, lot 344,

and sixpence 1646, half-crown, cf. The ninepence reads 9 and 10.

NEWARKE. Three

Pontefract Castle. i.

different octagonal shillings

:

Ruding XXIX, 10, ex Murdoch, Bergne, Brice and Montagu collections. Obverse large crown above C R around, DVM

Before death of Charles

I.

as

'

:

:

:

;

SPIRO SPERO

:

within

Reverse

circle.

on central tower, P.C. above on left, vertical: on right, a hand holding sword;

with flag

OBS

a castle,

:

;

below, 1648.

A RARE PONTEFRACT SHILLING.

2.

After death

Obverse

DEBIT,

of Charles

I.,

crown

as

Ruding XXIX,

above

large 1648, in three lines; :

HANC

around,

13.

DEVS CAROLVS :

:

Meeting, January i8M. II

D

:

G

:

Reverse

PC

;

MAG

:

B

:

1905.

ET

:

3.

After

on

OBS

left,

vertical

SPIRO earlier

:

:

on

;

I.,

as

SPERO,

cannon

Ruding XXIX,

with

before,

:

King on horseback, sword over the shoulder. Horse

directed

shield

:

divides

shield

garnished, retrograde and reversed.

Ormonde money.

Seven Obverse

Reverse

CH,

pieces,

:

R

the

oval

being

from crown to

large crown over CR, the outer beaded. Reverse value in

inclusive.

numerals,

:

PC,

flag

CAROLUS

but

trappings decorated with large cross.

Roman

:

12.

DVM

around,

;

a castle

:

as

Obverse

circles,

PATRIS

1648 around.

:

Blacksmith half-crown.

hand

:

rather smaller letters than the

in

Reverse

type.

SECUNDVS

twopence within two

circle.

mouth of

right,

C R

larger crown over

and

OBS,

Set of

within

:

death of Charles

right

REX

Around, POTT MORTEM FILIO. See also p. 326, Fig. 48.

Obverse

in

:

a castle with flag on central tower, above,

:

cannon.

PRO

H

:

445

:

:

Ruding XXVII,

8, 9,

10,

u,

12,

13.

CORK SIEGE-SHILLING.

Dr.

Philip

Nelson.

Countermarked Cork

shilling,

and the

coins illustrated on the following page.

Mr. Oswald Fitch.

Murdoch

Ormonde

Charles

sale,

crown.

lot

I.,

343.

Colchester shilling, from the

Newark

Inchiquin

shilling.

crown.

Pontefract shilling, 1648, from the Garratt

Charles

1646. II.,

sale, 1898.

Proceedings of the Society.

446

COPPER COIN ATTRIBUTED TO YOUGHAL.

BEESTON ONE-SHILLING-AND-SIXPENCE.

Eight Pontefract shillings belonging to

Mr. Bernard Roth.

Tew, The Grange, Carleton, Pontefract, who Most of the specimens kindly lent them for exhibition. Three specimens at Pontefract. were found in gardens are similar to No. 672 in the Handbook of the Coins of Great Britain and Ireland, 1899, two being lozenge shaped and weighing 79*1 grs. and 70' i grs. (pierced) and weighs 65*7 grs. only. is circular the third Two others are octagonal, and similar to No. 673 in Mrs.

;

same work, weighing 90*2 grs. and 77 grs. respectively. Two, also octagonal, are similar to No. 674 in the Handbook, weighing 8o'6 grs. and 697 grs. respectively,

the

although the heavier coin

The

eighth

is

is

also octagonal

much

more worn.

the

and similar

to

the Handbook, weighing 76*5 grs. Also the extremely rare Pontefract, so-called, piece

No. 675

in

two-shilling

from his own collection, which was stated

in

the

Moon

Sale Catalogue in 1901 to weigh 152 grs., but its real weight is only 1487 It has passed grs. through the Devonshire, Bergne, Brice, Montagu (1888), and Moon

See

Collections.

p.

323.

Mr. S. M. Spink. A remarkable series of obsidional pieces, many of which are unique :

BEESTON CASTLE. Two-shilling piece, oval.

showing

the

Front view of

gateway and

two

Beeston Castle, towers below, the ;

Meeting, January i8/^, value

II.

447

1905.

the type of castle somewhat resembles that On the left of the II, in Ruding XXIX, 6.

;

depicted but on the

flan, is

London

hall-mark of a leopard's coin having been made from the

the

head crowned, the bowl of an old seal-top or Apostle spoon, a spoon in vogue at and prior to the Great Rebellion. Unique.

See

307, Fig. 15. of irregular shape.

p.

Shilling

View

Beeston

of

Castle

;

Struck upon a piece of silver cut from the

below, S. I

of a salver or

edge

Hastings, Addington and p.

From

paten.

the Martin, Lord

See

Collections.

Montagu

306, Fig. 12.

View

of the castle, very similar to below, the value VII. that of the two-shilling^ piece From the Hugh Howard, Brice and Montagu collections.

Sevenpence, triangular.

:

See

p.

306, Fig. 14.

CARLISLE.

Three- shilling

Obverse

Circular.

1645.

piece,

C

:

R

a large crown, a rosette each side of the >s Royal initials, the value *I 1 1 below, and all within a Reverse: OB S CARL/' 1645- m two beaded circle.

beneath

A

lines.

as

rosette

circle

on obverse.

Shilling,

Ruding XXVIII, 5. C R Obverse below, the value 'XII beaded

circular.

crown

;

:

:

:

:

;

inscription in

A

below the date, and a beaded

rosette

three lines,

OBS

*

:/

:

beneath a large Reverse

circle.

:

CARL

* :

above and below, Ruding XXVIII,

1645.

/ 3.

NEWARK. Half-crown, sides

1645, lozenge

Reverse 1645.

a

of :

large

shaped.

crown,

the

Obverse: value

Inscription in three lines,

Ruding XXVIII,

7 (varied).

CR

XXX

OBS

:

/

at the

beneath.

NEWARK

/

Proceedings of the Society.

448

Similar to the preceding, but with date

Half-crown, 1646.

Ruding XXVIII,

1646.

Similar

1645.

Shilling,

Ruding XXVIII, Ninepence, 1646. and bearing

with

value

the

XII.

8.

reverse

the

upon

Arms.

Royal

but

type,

Similar type, but with the value IX. Similar to the preceding, but gilded,

1646.

Ninepence,

7.

Ruding XXVIII,

the

of

shield

the

See pp. 315-16,

9-

Fig- 32.

NEWARK Sixpence,

SIXPENCE.

Similar

1646.

Ruding XXVIII,

but

type,

with

the

value

VI.

10.

PONTEFRACT CASTLE. Gold.

Unite or

CAROLVS

:

1648,

Sovereign,

SECVNDVS

octagonal. View of 1648.

:

Obverse the

:

gate-

way and flanking towers of Pontefract Castle, with at the sides OBS vertical, centre tower and flag above ;

and the muzzle of a cannon central tower, the letters PC.

C'R beneath

SPERO.

Type

grains.

similar

See pp. 325-26, Fig. Silver two-shilling piece,

DVM

SPIRO

:

Reverse above,

holding

above, at the sides of the

Reverse

to

but a

at

the

sword

;

DVM

:

SPIRO

:

Weight 138^

Ruding XXIX,

12.

Unique.

47.

1648, lozenge shaped.

CR

beneath

view of the Castle with

:

:

a large crown.

SPERO.

:

;

sides

below,

OBS the

PC

vertical,

date

Obverse a

crown.

and the

and a 1648

;

:

flag

hand weight

Meeting, January i8//,

449

1905.

From the Duke 152 grains. Cf. Ruding XXIX, 10. of Devonshire's cabinet. See p. 323, Fig. 43. Shilling, 1648, octagonal. Type as the preceding. Ruding XXIX,

10.

Ruding XXIX,

12.

DVM

Obverse:

Shilling, 1648, circular.

CR

Similar type to the gold unite.

1648, octagonal.

Shilling,

beneath a crown.

Reverse

:

SPIRO

SPERO

:

Pontefract Castle, but

:

P no flag;

at

vertical

and XII

below,

;

n

the date 1648. 1648,

Shilling,

OBS

the sides

Ruding XXIX,

1.

1

as preceding.

Type

lozenge shaped.

SCARBOROUGH CASTLE. Three-shilling

piece,

octagonal.

Castle with gateway on the reverse.

Type

--View

of

side

below

left

;

Scarborough

g

/

Plain

j j

of Castle as Ruding

XXIX,

Weight

3.

See p. 308, Fig. 17. 246 grains. Unique. Two shillings and tenpence. Irregular shape. Similar view of Scarborough Castle

;

below

TJ

TTT/

Plain reverse.

Weight, 206 grains. Unique. See p. 308, Fig. 18. Two shillings and fourpence, oblong. Similar delineation of the Castle;

below

TT

from a plate or

cut

Plain

TTTT dish,

the rim

thicker than the rest of the piece. Cf.

Ruding XXIX,

3.

Unique.

This

reverse.

is

being reeded and

Weight, 214 grains. See p. 309, Fig. 20.

similar Obverse Two-shilling (?) piece, nearly square. view of the Castle, but the design occupies almost the whole field and the details are more amplified. Value :

omitted.

OBS

/

Reverse

II.

engraved

Scarborough / 1645,

^ grains. VOL.

:

Unique.

See

in in

contemporary three

lines.

lettering,

Weight,

21. p. 309, Fig.

2

G

Proceedings of the Society.

450 Shilling,

beneath the

Castle,

Plain

r

Ruding XXIX, 9

grains.

Mr. A. H. Baldwin.

Hawkins'

Mint,

the three-shilling piece

as

Type

nearly square.

reverse.

Weight,

;

98

See

p. 310, Fig. 23. of Charles I. of the Tower Shilling type 2A, but countermarked on the

(varied).

See p. 310, Fig. 26, attributed to Scarborough.

reverse with an ornamented letter S.

where

this

remarkable piece

is

Paper.

DR.

"

NELSON.

PHILIP

The

Obsidional

Money

of the Great

Rebellion, 1642-1649." Treatise, which

printed in this volume, the writer sketched the history of the troublous time of the Civil War, both in In

this

and

is

by about seventy magic lantern slides, showing by maps and views the position and appearance of the strongholds whence the siege pieces were issued, also England and

Ireland,

illustrated

his subject

He also gave particulars of all the the principal coins referred to. known varieties of siege pieces of the period, and explained their origin

and

circulation.

After a general discussion of the subject and of the coins exhibited, the President proposed that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to Dr. Nelson for his very interesting paper, which was carried with acclamation.

ORDINARY MEETING. February P.

W.

P.

i^th, 1905.

CARL YON- BRITTON,

ESQ., F.S.A.,

D.L.,

President, in the Chair.

The Minutes

of

the

ORDINARY MEETING

held

on the

January, 1905, were read, confirmed, and signed by the President.

i8th

*

!*

829