March 26th. 2000.

Next club meeting Monday 3rd. April 2000.

At Abbey Baptist Church, Abbey Square.

Meeting commences at 7.00 pm.

March meeting

The March talk given by Mr. David Griffiths was not the talk that was advertised but nevertheless it was equally informative and very entertaining. The new talk was "Thomas Williams 1738-1802"

Prior to the Industrial revolution out of a population of 8.5 Millions only 20% of the people lived in towns. The majority of the people living in the country were mainly self supporting. Each village would possess an innkeeper, a blacksmith, a farrier and so on and each cottage would possess a spinning wheel. A number of events changed this way of life; the industrial revolution, the Napoleonic wars, agricultural reforms, and land enclosure acts. These and the loss of traditional peasant's common rights caused the redistribution of the population from country to town, from agriculture to factory. Another influencing factor was the 50% increase in population between 1750 and 1810. All of these events created a demand for circulating money, especially small coins. A huge percentage of the coinage then circulating was counterfeit.

Thomas Williams, a solicitor living in Anglesey became involved in a court dispute of a copper producing mine on Anglesey and he eventually became the owner of the mine after a long struggle. There were two copper mines on Anglesey where copper had been mined since Roman times. They were called the Paris and the Mona, Mona being the Celtic word for Anglesey. Williams came to own both of these mines. He also started smelting the copper and producing copper plate amongst other items. One of his largest markets was the sheathing of ship's wooden hulls with copper plate to prevent them being attacked by marine life. Williams eventually came to own many mines, copper smelters and other factories and businesses throughout England and Wales. For five years he held the monopoly on copper production in England Wales. He attempted to obtain minting rights for coinage from Parliament. He gave silver proof Anglesey tokens to prominent persons to proves his ability to mint coins. On Anglesey he minted the Anglesey token to pay his mine workers. The first production was for 300 pennies and 300 half pennies.

John Crowley gave this months display with 12 post cards of the Royal Mint in London and 12 postcards of the Pevensey Mint House. The present house was built in 1342 on the site of the mint and converted by Andrew Borde, Henry VIII's Physician, to a private residence in 1569. The only known coins with the Pevensey mint mark are of William I, William II, Henry I and Stephen. The mint mark is PEFNESE or PEVEN. All are extremely rare. The Building is now open to the public as a museum. John believes that all of the postcards are from the 1920's and 30's. A very interesting display and thank you John.

The April display will be by Dave Mc Gurk.

There were 19 members present and 4 dealer tables open.

April Meeting.

The April talk is "Finds of Roman Coins and their Significance to Archaeology" by Jill Greenaway. Jill has spoken to the Club in the past and we can expect an exciting talk. We may also learn some local history.

Happy Birthday.

John Beamish sent his apologies for not being present at the March Meeting. It was his birthday and he was invited out for a restaurant meal. Happy birthday John.

Social events for 2000.

Following on from the enthusiastic response to the idea of a skittles evening at the February meeting, we have now booked the Red Lion at Theale for Saturday April 8th. Will those members who have booked please pay £7-50 to Maurice Bull.

There are still places left for those members who have not booked a ticket.

Club Annual Auction in May.

The May meeting is the Club's annual auction. It is time to give your lots to any committee member. The committee will catalogue all coins and put an estimate on unreserved coins. Unsold reserved lots will be charged at 25p per lot. 10% of selling price will go to club funds. Any lots donated to club funds are gratefully received. I will mail the catalogue and auction instruction in the next newsletter.

Future Events

Coin Fair. Saturday 8th. April. Commonwealth Institute. Kensington. London W8.

Coin Fair Sunday 9th April. National Motor Cycle Museum Bickenhill Birmingham.

20 Years ago

Peter Seaby Gave a talk on Norman Pennies.