March 2008
Next club meeting Monday 7th April 2008.
Meetings are held at the Abbey Baptist Church ,Abbey Square, commencing at 7.00 p.m.
March meeting.
Twenty two members and three guests turned up to see David Powell speak on The Evolution of the English Coinage up to the End of the Civil War.
David started by reviewing the history of the making of coins, pointing out that coins were first struck in the mid 7th Century BC in Syria. There were several designs including a butting bull.
Coins didn’t arrive here in Britain till about 100BC and one of the earliest depicted very crudely a butting bull. The earliest British coins were struck in Potin and later in silver, copper and gold. Seven or eight British tribes (out of approximately 23) struck coins. Designs were copied from European and other coins but tended to be very abstract to the point of being almost undecipherable. Durotriges struck silver or base staters based on coins of Alexander. The Iceni (based in Norfolk) resisted Roman domination and their coinage showed little Roman influence. The Atrebates on the contrary were closely allied to the Romans and struck coins very close in style to the Roman.
Once the Romans arrived Celtic coins were replaced by Roman coins. In the late 3rd Century Rome expanded the number of mints dramatically and a mint was set up in London among other places. When the Romans left, for about two centuries there were virtually no coins produced in this period but it is not certain.
About 690BC sceattas began to be produced by Saxon rulers, later these had the name of the moneyer on the reverse, very small, struck in silver or base metal and a plethora of types. Eventually these developed into silver pennies of a recognisable type. 973 saw the introduction of the Trial of the Pyx – old coinage had to be exchanged for new, assuring the Government of revenues. Attractive portraits began to appear. With the coins of the Normans, many Norman moneyers are found alongside Saxon moneyers. To obtain halfpennies or farthings coins were simply cut in halves or quarters.
The coinage deteriorated, both in style and silver content till Henry summoned a number of moneyers to Court and punished them by mutilation. In the Saxon and early Norman period there were many mints producing coins and most coins have the mint moneyer on the reverse separated by a cross.
In the reign of Edward I groats (fourpenny pieces), half groats and round farthings were struck. Incidentally, very briefly, coins were struck at Reading. Also at this time, distinct mintmarks began to appear. Calais was held by the British and coins were struck there. In 1504 a shilling (Testoon) coin was first produced. Henry VIII debased his coinage to increase his supply of money. Phillip and Mary produced coins with facing portraits. Elizabeth I produced an extensive range of coins from 3 farthings up to Crown, these types remained more or less till the outbreak of the Civil War. During the Civil War, coins were produced with English legends.
Well done to David for entertaining us so well and we look forward to part two in the future!
Spring social / Skittles Evening
This will once again be a skittles evening at the Red Lion pub, Theale on Saturday 19th April. We intend to start gathering around 7pm for an 8pm kick off.
The price is £15 per head (£30 per couple) and includes a good buffet. If you would like to come please sign up at the April meeting.
Obituary Bryan Hennem
Bryan Hennem, a member since 2003, died on 5th March aged 76 after a long illness. He started collecting British Machine Tokens in 1984. He then went on to collect French Consommer and other World Machine Tokens including tokens for car park/wash. He also researched Hampshire post-1820 material and intended to publish a book on the subject. It is hoped that this project will be carried forward by another Hampshire collector based on Bryan’s material.
Bryan attended Token Congress each year from 1988 onwards and helped organize the one held in Winchester in 1992. A former librarian, he had a large collection of literature, topographical books, trade directories and token and medal books.
He enjoyed travelling to car boots and fairs to look out for material for himself and others - many of us have benefited from this. He was a lifelong supporter of West Ham F.C. as well as being an enthusiastic member of the campaign for real ale (CAMRA).
During his 24 years of collecting Bryan made many friends in the world of Paranumismatics. He was always friendly, helpful and ready to talk about any subject. He will be sadly missed by those who knew him.
He leaves his wife of over 50 years, Kathleen and children Sally, Robin and Colin.
His funeral was held on 18th March at Basingstoke Crematorium.
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