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COIN
Unique ID: CAM-6A6A67
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A pierced silver Medieval halfgroat coin, of Henry VII, AD 1485-1509. This is a class IIIb dating to AD 1490s.
Obverse shows a Forward facing crowned bust within multifoil. Obverse legend reads: hENRI[C DI] GRA.REX.ANGLI.Z.[FR...] with rosette stops.
The reverse shows a Long cross fourchee with three pellets per quarter and legend in two concentric circles reading: + POSVI/[DEVM] A/DIVTO[R]/E[M] MEV - CIVI/TAS/LON/DON. The 'R' and 'M' of ADIVTOREM probably don't feature on this coin rather than being illegible through wear.
Die axis is 6 o'clock. Diameter is 18.0mm, thickness is 0.6mm, weight is 0.95g. A sub-oval shaped piercing is present at the very centre of the coin. This aperture has a length of 2.3mm and width of 1.2mm. It seems to probably been made from the reverse through to the obverse. This suggestion is due to the very smooth feel of the edges on the reverse size. The edges of the obverse side are not roughened but feel bumpier.
The coin has been pierced, indicating a secondary function which would normally indicate that it should be considered as potential Treasure (under the Treasure Act 1996). However, coins dating after AD1180 with similar piercings are also known in hoards of currency, suggesting that such objects could re-enter circulation as coins, and not all coins were pierced to convert them into objects such as pendants. It therefore cannot be said with confidence whether this particular object was regarded as a coin or as another type of object at the time that the coin was deposited.
Notes:
British Museum Curator Barrie Cook has confirmed (by email 09/12/2019, 08:47) that this coin does not constitute potential Treasure as defined under the Treasure Act 1996. For coins of this specific date "The usual criteria for silver coins: piercing alone does not justify a case of treasure, as this could occur for other reasons than conversion into jewellery and pierced coins are found in hoards, so clearly could still be used as money".
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1490
Date to: Circa AD 1499
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 0.6 mm
Weight: 0.95 g
Diameter: 18 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 17th November 2019 - Sunday 17th November 2019
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Primary material: Silver
Manufacture method: Struck or hammered
Completeness: Complete
Coin data (numismatics)
Denomination: Half groat
Ruler/issuer: Henry VII of England
Mint or issue place: London
Category: English coin Late Medieval 1377 - 1489
Type: Halfgroat: Henry VII, Facing bust issue, Class 3 (N 1708, 1709, 1712)
Obverse description: Forward facing crowned bust within multifoil. Rosette stops in legend.
Obverse inscription: hENRI[C DI] GRA.REX.ANGLI.Z.[FR...]
Reverse description: Long cross fourchee with three pellets per quarter and legend in two concentric circles.
Reverse inscription: + POSVI/[DEVM] A/DIVTO[R]/E[M] MEV - CIVI/TAS/LON/DON
Die axis measurement: 6 o'clock
Coin references
No coin references available.
Spatial metadata
Region: Eastern (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Hertfordshire (County)
District: North Hertfordshire (District)
Parish or ward: Reed (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: TL3636
Four figure Latitude: 52.00578275
Four figure longitude: -0.02007101
1:25K map: TL3636
1:10K map: TL33NE
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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