July 4^th 2011

Next club meeting Monday 5^th September 2011

• Siege Pieces of Charles I Part 2 By A Travis

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

NOTICES

There are still a few stragglers for returning the Census forms, please can you do so as soon as possible to ensure that we have correct and up-to-date information for you!

AGM – As usual the June meeting saw the Annual General Meeting, which passed without a hitch! The main drive of the meeting was to remove the Constitutional clause limiting time served on the committee. This was passed by the membership as hoped. With this out of the way, the sitting committee was re-elected with the exception of Alistair McKay who stood down. Volunteers welcome! The Annual Display Competition was won by Neil Beaton.

Summer Social – This year we will be having a behind the scenes tour of the Coin Gallery at the British Museum on 2^nd August (TUESDAY). The meeting time is 10:30 for 10:45 outside the Coin Gallery.

July Meeting

The purpose of Peter Hall’s talk - Brown Roman Coins was to show something of the range of base metal coins minted during the period when Britain was part of the Roman Empire. To help with the inevitable question of - What could they buy? - he started by illustrating the development of the coinage, from Augustus in Rome to the time the control of the Empire had moved to Constantinople, showing that each small denomination had a purpose in the market place.

The presentation looked at four periods which produced coins which are cheap to buy, but offer of a wealth of historical interest. From the first period, Claudius-Nero, Peter identified the widespread copying and survival of copper asses in Britain. The fact that most appear well-worn means that they must have circulated freely and, presumably, with the approval of the rank and file of the Roman army which would be the major user of these coins to buy basic foodstuffs and drinks in the local markets. The next period was the relatively short-lived issue of the Antoninianus, or double-denarius. Even at its start, at the beginning of the third century, it was debased silver and within 60 years has degenerated into a minor copper piece, thus removing from circulation the previous subsidiary large bronze coinage.

Although mint locations can be traced for many coins, at the turn of the fourth century mints were established throughout the Empire and formal mint marks were allocated. Careful identification of the mint marks not only allows fairly precise location to cities but also dating, often to the year of issue. The two periods looked at were the vast issues of the House of Constantine and the very common issues of Valens and Valentinian, brothers ruling in the 370s. Illustrations from the coinage of Constantine and his family showed the wide range of features – titles, headdress, reverse legends and, especially images, which can place the coins in a historical series. Even the officina mark within the mint can be used to separate a senior emperor from his junior colleagues – sons and relatives.

The talk was illustrated mostly by coins readily available and costing less than two pounds. As per usual, there were a few questions asked, after which the twenty-two members in attendance showed Peter their appreciation in the usual manner!

Future Events

• Coins, Stamps and Collectables - Charing Cross Market, London – every Saturday!
• Midland Coin Fair, Birmingham – 15^th August
• General Coin Sale – Penrith Farmer’s & Kidd’s, Penrith – 18^th August
• Coins, banknotes and collectables – BSA Auctions, Leominster – 24^th August

Past Events

• 1 years ago – “Guildford's Rich Token Heritage” – John Theobald

· 10 years ago – “Horsemen of Charles I Half Crowns” – Maurice Bull

· 40 years ago – “English Copper Coinage” – Mrs Monica Bushel

Club Secretary