May 29st. 2002.

Next club meeting Monday 10th June 2002

Meetings are held at the Abbey Baptist Church, Abbey Square, commencing at 7.00 p.m.

May meeting.

The talk this month was given by Gavin Scott. The subject was countermarks produced in the UK on base metal coins.

In the general introduction Gavin stated that this field of numismatics provided plenty of scope for research and was ideal for those who enjoyed investigating local history. It is however, not for those whose preference is for quality pieces, since the grading scale has to include A for abysmal and R for repellent. There are 6 basic categories in the countermarked series as listed below. However, throughout his talk Gavin emphasised that there are many uncertainties in placing a specimen in a particular category and the 'raison d'etre' is often pure guesswork.

  1. Probably used for local trade in early 19th century; may show value; mostly from Scotland or Yorkshire.
  2. Shop tickets with traders name; may have been receipts or discount for next trade, or merely advertising. Generally produced before 1850.
  3. Advertising pieces; generally produced after 1850.
  4. Employee pay/tool check; often with employee number.
  5. Unofficial pieces; often to test factory punches and distinguished by being one off's. Usually late 19th / early 20th century.
  6. Store checks, often mllitary. Sometimes with date, month and letter / symbol signifying place of use. Some military ID discs also carried the owners religious affiliation.

Countermarks in the 18th Century were probably first used as a means of overcoming the lack of small currency. While defacing Gold & Silver was a serious offence the authorities took little notice of additions to copper coins. However, as the industrial revolution gathered apace and the demand for new coinage grew, so the Government began to take notice. It is somewhat ironic that in the 1840's a well known newspaper proprietor, (Mr Lloyd), who had produced tons of countermarked advertising pieces, also championed for a change in the law to ban countermarking. Finally in 1853 an act was passed to prevent the defacing of UK copper corns. No sooner was the act passed than people looked for loopholes, such as countermarking bronze European coins, mostly French. A French ld size coin could be bought at the rate of 252 per £1 and as these freely circulated as currency, there was a profit to be made. Many were introduced to the public through bus conductors who could acquire them at 14d per 1/-.

Again the irony is that yet another prolific issuer was the primary force who championed for a change in the law. He married the daughter of the owner of Pears Soap, ran the factory and issued tons of European coins countermarked 'Pears Soap'. Finally in the mid 1880's the law was again revised to prohibit the import of foreign coins and the circulation of counterstamped pieces. To ensure the poor, who held the majority of such pieces, were not disadvantaged they were able to redeem the value in regal coins at the Post Office for some time after the law came into affect.

Once again however, the entrepreneurs looked for loopholes. Some examples Gavin gave were:

  1. countermarked demonetised coins
  2. card replicas
  3. labels on coins
  4. rings around coins

In the final part of his talk Gavin showed numerous examples illustrated with slides , making comment and observations as appropriate. Yet another excellent talk to close the season.

There were twenty three members, three guests and five dealer tables at the meeting.

AGM and Display Competition

Along with the AGM this is the night of the annual display competition, the winner being awarded the Michael Broome Memorial Trophy to keep on their mantelpiece for 1 year. The competition is open to all members and can cover any topic connected to numismatics. Remember, it is not necessarily the grandest coins that win. Originality, enthusiasm, presentation and interest are just as likely to be the wiring formula. Displaying members are required to give a short explanation on their display (5 minutes maximum) after which the attending members will judge the displays and cast their votes. The display with the most votes wins.

All display entrants will be given a raffle ticket, the winning ticket to receive a bottle of wine.So to all members please have a go and enter a display.

Summer Social

The summer social, which will take place on the Wednesday 17th July, will be a visit to Birmingham Museum coin department in the morning and the Matthew Boulton Museum in the afternoon.

Birmingham Museum - We have requested a short talk from each curator followed by a viewing of some of the coins in the collection. There are very few coins on public display but the museum holds a reasonable selection of the following coins:

The collection is weak in Greek & Roman

Members need to indicate to the secretary any particular items of interest they wish to see, otherwise the undersigned will request a representative selection.

Matthew Boulton Museum - Actually in Boulton's house and the exhibits cover all aspects of his business. A short intro has been requested from the curator, but the remainder of the visit will be to conduct ourselves around the galleries. It is an interesting place and there is an entry fee of about £3 per person

Transport - yet to be decided.

Numbers - we are limited to about 12 persons to visit Birmingham museum so please advise your interest to the secretary asap Tel 01932 249839 (day). Will those who previously signed up please confirm they are available to come on the 17th

Past Events.

30 Years ago. Mr A Stone presumably delivered his talk on campaign medals. At the time Mr Stone was not only an expert on medals, but he also co-authored the work on English Proof & Pattern Crowns with H Linecar.

20 years ago the May meeting was well attended to hear Michael Broome's talk on Islamic coins.

10 years ago Michael O'Grady from Phillips gave a lecture on banknotes, from their beghning to the present day.