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Unique ID: WILT-E5B125
Object type certainty: Certain
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A Late Fourteenth Century hoard of English and French Jettons. The hoard consists of seven English and twenty four French / Tournai copper alloy jettons, two billon coins, one of Spain the other of Brittany, and three blank discs.
This group of thirty six pieces (plus one other at present separated from the main group) dates from the second half of the 14th century. The loss of these pieces most probably took place within a few years on either side of 1400. The presence of three blank discs suggests that this group may well be part or whole of a working set of counters. The varying patina on some of the pieces suggests that these had been overlapping in the soil after loss. Many of the pieces show varying degrees of wear and edge damage. The French pieces in general are in better condition than those of English origin. Numbers 11, 16 and 19-29 are quite well preserved, 19 , 22 and 24 particularly so. The cutting of the dies for the Moor's head jettons 13, 14 and 15 is very crude. In the medieval period Little Cheverell parish was included within the lands of the Bishop of Salisbury. A thirty-seventh jetton, found a little way from the group, and identified later, has also been included. It is highly likely part of the hoard.
English Jettons of Edward III period (1327 - 1377)
English Jettons
1. Lion rampant, D 28mm, th 1.4mm, wt 5.34g, die axis uncertain, partly pierced from centre of reverse, lighter mark in obverse centre, worn, polished on the high point, some corrosion
Obv: Lion rampant within a tressure of nine arcs, trefoils at cusps Border: Crosses and paired leaves
Rev: Cross with eagles displayed cutting three circles of devices
Ref: Mitchiner 1988, 255 (obv.) 258 (rev), Berry 1974, type 1E, pl. 7, 4 (obv); Barnard 1916, pl. II, 50 see also note to 37; Mernick, 5b3/5b9
There is an example from King's Langley with a suggested date c.1360-65 (Rigold 1977a, 145, no.25)
2. Emperor Postumus
D 30mm, th 1.2mm, wt 4.31g, die axis 6, punched from centre of reverse, the punch has slipped twice showing that this occurred after striking, worn, edge slightly chipped
Obv: Radiate, bearded bust of Postumus right, five cinqfoils beneath truncationcrown LE SOVD[AN:DE]:BABILONE
Rev: Triple-stranded cross fleury, quatrefoil in centre, cantoned by four crowns and A M O R+ PAT[ER:NOSTER:AVE:MARIA:C]REDO:AME double crosslet stops
Ref: de la Tour 1899, 694; Mitchiner 1988, 257, with a suggested date for the group of c.1344/51-1400; Berry 1974, pl. 8, 2; Barnard 1916, pl. II, 53(obv); Berry 1974, type 3; Mernick, 5b4/5b15
3. Agnus Dei
D 26mm, th 0.9mm, wt 2.26g, die axis uncertain, probably worn but jetton very scratched mainly on the high points on both faces. Three punch marks near the centre of reverse that have clearly been put on after striking. Flan slightly too small for the dies.
Obv: Agnus Dei within a tressure of twelve arcs +ECCExAGNVSxDIxQ[VIxTOLLxPE]CCATAxMV, saltire stops
Rev: Elaborate arcurate cross fleury, terminals flanked with sprigged trefoils, a lis within each arc xXxLORxXxLOR repeated, saltire stops
Ref: see Barnard 1916, p. 95; Berry 1974, type 7, pl. 8, 3 (obv); Mernick, 5b7/5b26 An example from Writtle is described as 'struck c.1363-9' (Rigold 1969, 79, no. 5)
4. Standing King
D 21.5mm, th 1.1mm, wt 2.46g, die axis uncertain, partly pierced from centre of reverse with evidence of punch slipping. Very worn with areas of corrosion.
Obv: Crude representation of standing king under canopy, border of ?annulets
Rev: Short cross botonny, border of strokes
Ref: Mitchiner 1988, 278/9 where a date of c.1350-1400 is suggested; Berry 1974, pl. 6, 11 (obv); Barnard 1916, cf. pl. II, 49 (obv); Mernick, 6b9/15
5. Shield bendy
D 21mm, th 1.1mm, wt 2.20g, die axis uncertain, partly pierced from centre of reverse, worn, minor surface damage, edge slightly chipped
Obv: Shield of three bends, border of strokes
Rev: Triple-stranded cross fleury with a lis in each quarter
Ref: Mitchiner 1988, cf. 295; Berry 1974, type 17, pl. 5, 7 (obv.); Mernick, 6c26/6c19
6. Fleur de lis inverted
D 19mm, th 0.6mm, wt 1.00g, die axis uncertain, punch mark in centre of reverse, worn Obv: Shield bearing a fleur-de-lis inverted, border of pellets
Rev: Triple-stranded cross fleury with a lis in each quarter
Ref: Mitchiner 1988, cf. 269; Berry 1974, type 17D, pl. 5, 10 (obv.); Barnard 1916, pl. II, 36 (rev.); Mernick, 6c15/6c12 This appears to have the same reverse as Cat. 1 but on smaller flan
7. Arms of Clare
D 23mm, th 0.6mm, wt 0.82g, die axis uncertain, central perforation from reverse, slight wear, left side corroded away so incomplete. Polished on the high points Obv: Shield chevronny +[EM?D]TELCV[?E]
Rev: Double-stranded rectangle with diagonals, ?triple triangles in quarters
Border: pseudo legend
Ref: See Berry 1974, pl. 5, 13, type 18 (rev.) and Mitchiner 1988, 262(obv); Mernick, 6c11/6c7
French Jettons
Group A (Dating from the mid 14th century)
8. Jeanne de Bourgogne, first wife Philip VI (1328-48)
D 21mm, th 0.6mm, wt 0.68g, die axis ?, some wear, badly chipped with much of edge
lost. Polished on the high points. Rounded m, square E
Obv: Shield of France ancient and Burgundy ancient
[C]SEL [AOR]SRV OMA (AMOVRS RO[Y]ALES SC retrograde)
Rev: [Triple-stranded cross fleury in angled quadrilobe, quatrefoil in centre, lis in
angles]
[BOC OTC BVO TIO]
Ref: Rouyer and Hucher 1858, 31, pl VIII, 68
9. Agnus Dei
D 25mm, th 0.8mm, wt 2.01g, die axis uncertain. Worn, slightly chipped edge.
Obv: Agnus Dei nimbate, cross on flag does not cut legend
+IETE[?S][ ]VP[?]·RI[ ]AIV legend reading uncertain
Rev: Triple-stranded cross fleury in tressure of four arcs and four angles, lis in
quarters
EV[?S] SVO [?]V[?] SV[?] legend reading uncertain
Ref: Mitchiner 1988, cf. 541, apparently closely related to standing king jettons as Mitchiner 1988, 398
10. Flanders (Lion rampant)
D 24mm, th 0.8mm, wt 1.31g, die axis uncertain. Very worn, slightly bent and corroded,
edge chipped. Rounded e
Obv: Shield bearing lion rampant all within a double tressure of six lobes,
trefoils in spandrels
]VERE[
Rev: Short arcurate cross
]EREDRINCG-OVDE-V[
Ref: not in Mitchiner 1988, but see his 424/429 for shield of Flanders and different legends
11. Seated King
D 29mm, th 1.0mm, wt 4.11g, die axis 3. Some wear, polished on the high points with
small areas of corrosion.
Square E, closed M.
Obv: Seated king facing, branch to right and left
+AVE MARIA:GRACIA:PLENA double annulet stops
Rev: Triple-stranded cross fleury in quadrilobe, quatrefoil in centre, with lis on
cusps and trefoils in spandrels
+AVE MARIA:GRACIA:PLENA double trefoil stops
Ref: Mitchiner 1988, cf. 383; Barnard 1916, pl.V, 25 (obv)
A similar jetton from Trig Lane was dated to the 1340s (Rigold 1982, 101, no. 42).
12. Moor's head
This should be the earliest example of the Moor's head pieces: c.1350.
D 21mm, th 1.3mm, wt 1.97g, die axis 7. Some wear, badly chipped edge. Square E,
closed M
Obv: Moor's head right, branch in front and quatrefoil behind head, inner circle
[+AVE:]MARIA:GRACIA:PLENA:D double pellet stops
Rev: Arcurate cross fleury, small cinquefoil in each arc, lis in centre
+A VE MA RI between cinquefoils
Ref: Mernick and Algar 2001, cf. 54; cf. Mitchiner 1988, 368 and 369 from 14th century contexts
13. Moor's head
D 20mm, th 0.6mm, wt 0.83g, die axis1. Worn. Rounded e and m
Obv: Moor's head right, no inner circle
+AVE:MARIA:GRACIA: PLEN double crosslet stops
Rev: Arcurate cross fleury, large cinquefoil in each arc, lis in centre
+A VE M AI between cinquefoils The V in inverted
Ref: Mitchiner 1988, cf. 371; Barnard 1916, cf. pl. IV, 12
14. Moor's head
D 21.5mm, th 0.6mm, wt 0.93g, die axis 8. Coarse example. Worn, corroded edge.
Square E, closed M
Obv: Moor's head (crude) right, no inner circle
+AVE:MARIA:GRACIA:P double crosslet stops
Rev: Arcurate cross fleury, large cinquefoil in each arc, quatrefoil in centre
+A VE M AR between cinquefoils
Ref: Mitchiner 1988, cf. 373
15. Moor's head
D 21mm, th 0.5mm, wt 0.60g, die axis 2. Coarse example. Worn. Square E,
closed M
Obv: Moor's head right, no inner circle
+AVE:MARIA:GRACIA:[P] double crosslet stops
Rev: Arcurate cross fleury, large cinquefoil in each arc, in two quarters these cinquefoils
are clearly pelletted, lis in centre
+A VE M AR between cinquefoils
Ref: Mitchiner 1988, cf. 373
16. Moor's head
D 20mm, th 0.5mm, wt 0.66g, die axis 1. Coarse example with very poor lettering. Worn
with badly chipped edge. Rounded e and m
Obv: Moor's head (crude) right, no inner circle
+AVE M[-----------------]PLENAI
Rev: Arcurate cross fleury, large cinquefoil in each arc, lis in centre
+A VE M [AR] between cinquefoils
Ref: no exact parallel in Mitchiner 1988
17. Moor's head
This may be the latest Moor's head here.
D 21mm, th 0.8mm, wt 1.24g, die axis 11. Slight wear, polished on the high points.
Rounded e and m
Obv: Moor's head right, no inner circle
+AVE MARIA:GRACIA:PLEN double crosslet stops
Rev: Arcurate cross fleury, large cinquefoil in each arc, the one in the EM quarter is
clearly a six pellet cluster; lis in centre
AV EM AR IA between cinquefoils
Ref: Mitchiner 1988, cf. 370
18. Crown
This is probably of similar date to the latest Moor's head pieces.
D 20mm, th 0.9mm, wt 1.12g, die axis 7. Slight wear, polished on the high points.
Rounded e and m
Obv: Crown, three trefoils on band, pellet above central one,
inner circle
+AVE MARIA:GRACIA:PLENA double crosslet stops
Rev: Arcurate cross fleury, large cinquefoil, clearly six-pellet cluster in each arc, lis in
centre
+A VE M AI between cinquefoils
Ref: Mernick and Algar 2001, 227, cf. 65; Mitchiner 1988, cf. 379
Group B (Dating from last quarter 14th century)
19. Standing king or prince [17]
This with cat 18 perhaps the earliest pieces in this group.
D 23mm, th 1.0mm, wt 1.58g, die axis 6. Worn, chipped edge. Square E and
closed M
Obv: Standing king or prince facing with raised sword in right hand and shield
of three lis on left all under crocketed architectural canopy, three crosslets
beneath and flanked by AVE M ARIA between crosslets
Rev: Triple-stranded cross fleury in quadrilobe, 'A' florets on cusps
? ? V R between crosslets in spandrels
Ref: Mitchiner 1988, cf. 406; Barnard 1916, pl. V, 23;
A similar but worn example from King's Lynn was dated to c. 1375-90 (Rigold 1977b,
286, no. 1); see Mernick and Algar 2001, 224 for a classification of the floret types.
20. Standing king or prince
D 23mm, th 0.9mm, wt 2.09g, die axis 1, obverse double struck. Worn, areas of
corrosion, slightly chipped edge.
Obv: Standing king or prince facing with raised sword in right hand and shield of
three lis on left all under crocketed architectural canopy, three crosslets
beneath and flanked by [----] RIA.G between annulets
Rev: Triple-stranded cross fleury in quadrilobe, 'A' florets on cusps,
+ A V I between annulets in spandrels
Ref: Mitchiner 1988, cf. 406; Barnard 1916, cf. pl. V, 23
21. France ancient
D 25.5mm, th 1.0mm, wt 3.03g, die axis 6. Slight wear, polished on the high points.
Square E and closed M
Obv: Crowned shield of France ancient
+AVE MARIA GRACIA:PLE double crosslet stops
Rev: Triple-stranded cross fleury in quadrilobe, 'A' florets on cusps,
+ A V E between crosslets in spandrels
Ref: Mitchiner 1988, cf. 417-8; Barnard 1916, cf. pl. VI, 40
22. France modern
D 23mm, th 0.8mm, wt 1.44g, die axis 1. Slight wear, polished on the high points,
slight corrosion, slightly chipped edge. Square E and closed M
Obv: Crowned shield of France modern, three lis with base of fourth at top, central
pellet
+AVE MARIA:GRACIA:PI plain initial cross, double crosslet stops
Rev: Triple-stranded cross fleury in quadrilobe, 'B' florets on cusps,
A V E M between crosslets in spandrels
Ref: Mitchiner 1988, cf. 434b; Barnard 1916, cf. pl. VI, 43 (obv)
A closely related jetton from Trig Lane was dated to the 1370-1380s (Rigold 1982, 101,
no. 41).
23. Dolphin embowed
D 23mm, th 0.9mm, wt 1.66g, die axis 6. Slight wear, polished on the high points, slight
corrosion on reverse, chipped edge. Square E
Obv: Dolphin embowed left, holding purse in mouth
+LE:NOBLE:ET:FIER double crosslet stops
Rev: Triple-stranded cross floral in quadrilobe, 'A' florets on cusps,
+ A E V between crosslets in spandrels
Ref: not in Mitchiner 1988; Barnard 1916, cf. pl. VII, 61 (obv)
24. Dolphin embowed
D 24.5mm, th 1.1mm, wt 2.63g, die axis 8. Slight wear, polished on the high points.
Annuletted T and square E
Obv: Dolphin embowed left, holding purse in mouth
+LE:NOBLE:ET:FIER:P double crosslet stops
Rev: Triple-stranded cross fleury in quadrilobe, 'B' florets on cusps,
+ A V E between crosslets in spandrels
Ref: Mitchiner 1988, cf. 485; A similar jetton from Chelmsford Priory is dated to '1380s or near' (Rigold 1974, 54, no.5).
25. Dolphin embowed
D 24mm, th 1.0mm, wt 2.59g, die axis 6. Slight wear, polished on the high points, slightly
chipped edge. Annuletted T and square E
Obv: Dolphin embowed left, holding purse in mouth
+LE:NOBLE:ET:FER:P double crosslet stops
Rev: Triple-stranded cross fleury in quadrilobe, 'B' florets on cusps,
A V E G between crosslets in spandrels
Ref: Mitchiner 1988, cf. 485
26. Chatel Tournois
D 23mm, th 0.9mm, wt 1.82g, die axis 1. Slight wear, polished on the high points, slightly
chipped edge. Square E and closed M
Obv: Chatel Tournois, between two lis
+AVE:MARIA:GRACIA:PLI double crosslet stops
Rev: Triple-stranded cross fleury in quadrilobe, 'B' florets on cusps,
A V E G between crosslets in spandrels
Ref: Mitchiner 1988, cf. 509 et seq.
27. Crown
D 23mm, th 0.9mm, wt 1.47g, die axis 6. Slight wear, polished on the high points, slightly
chipped edge. Square E and closed M. Slightly smaller version of the crown on no 16. Obv: Crown, three trefoils on bow
+AVE:MARIA:GRACIA: LE double crosslet stops
Rev: Triple-stranded cross fleury in quadrilobe, 'B' florets on cusps,
A V E G between crosslets in spandrels
Ref: Mitchiner 1988, cf. 462. A similar jetton from the Dominican Priory, Oxford is dated to the 'last quarter 14th century' (Rigold 1976, 220, no.3).
28. Agnus Dei
D 25mm, th 0.9mm, wt 2.31g, die axis 1. Slight wear, polished on the high points, slightly
chipped edge, polished on the high points. Reverse dirty. Rounded e and closed M
Obv: Agnus Dei nimbate, cross on flag cuts legend before M
MOVTON:SVI:DEB cinquefoil, double crosslet stops
Rev: Triple-stranded cross fleury in quadrilobe, 'B' florets on cusps,
A V E ?D between crosslets in spandrels
Ref: Mitchiner 1988, cf. 503; Barnard 1916, cf. pl. IV, 16 (obv)
A similar jetton to Cat. 28, 29 and probably 30 but with 'A' florets comes from Winchester and is dated to the 1380s (Rigold 2012, 643, no. 26).
29. Agnus Dei
D 24mm, th 0.9mm, wt 1.83g, die axis 9. Slight wear, polished on the high points, slightly
chipped edge. Square E and closed M
Obv: Agnus Dei nimbate, cross on flag cuts legend before M
MOVTON:SVI[:]DEB double crosslet stop
Rev: Triple-stranded cross fleury in quadrilobe, 'B' florets on cusps,
A V E D between crosslets in spandrels
Ref: Mitchiner 1988, cf. 503; Barnard 1916, cf. pl. IV, 16 (obv)
30. Agnus Dei
D 24mm, th 0.9mm, wt 1.61g, bent in two and die axis unclear. Slight wear, polished on
the high points, possibly some loss of fabric at fold. Rounded e
Obv: Agnus Dei
[MOVTO]N:SVI:DE[B double crosslet stops
Rev: Triple-stranded cross fleury in quadrilobe, 'B' florets on cusps,
A V E D between crosslets in spandrels
Ref: Mitchiner 1988, cf. 503
This appears to be another example probably the same as Cat. 28 and 29.
31. Flanders
Louis de Male, Count of Flanders 1346-84
D 24mm, th 1.0mm, wt 2.77g, die axis 7-8, slightly double struck on reverse. Slight
wear, polished on the high points, edge chipped. Square E, closed M
Obv: Shield with lion rampant left, cluster of five pellets above, closed M, double
crosslet stops +AVE MARIA:GRACIA:PLE
Rev: Triple-stranded cross fleury within quadrilobe, "A" florets on cusps + A ? V
between crosslets in spandrels
Ref: Mitchiner 1988, cf.787
32. Chatel Tournois
D 25.5mm, th 1.3mm, wt 3.50g, die axis 5. Polished on the high points. Square E
and closed M
Obv: Chatel Tournois, between two lis
+AVE:MARIA:GRACIA:PLE double crosslet stops
Rev: Arcurate cross fleury, lis in centre
+AVE:MARIA:GRACIA:LEN double crosslet stops
Ref: Mitchiner 1988, cf. 512; see Barnard 1916, p.116 for basic type
European coins
33. Spain
Henry II (1369-79)
Billon cruzado D 21mm, wt 1.77g, die axis 3, very worn, chipped and split
Obv: Crowned head to left
[+ENRIC]VS:REX:LE[GIONIS]
Rev: Short cross potent cantoned by four letters [E]NRI
[+ENRICVS:REX:CASTELLE]
Ref: Casten and Cayon 1984, no.1344
34. Brittany
Duke John IV (de Montfort) (1345-99)
Billon blanc D 20mm, wt 0.61g, exceedingly worn, very thin with much loss of fabric
from the edge
Obv: across centre of coin [:I:]DV[X] within rectangle, between six ermine tails
three above and three below
[+DEI*GRADIA*BRITANIE*N]
Rev: long cross potent
[+BNDICTV*SIT NOME*DNI*NR]
Ref: Engel and Serrure 1905, p. 996, fig 1545
Blank discs
The three blank discs are quite acceptable as counters being close in size to many of the jettons and within the same weight range.
.
35. Oval disc, one face has traces of tinning or silvering, corroded, surface flaking
D 24x22mm, th 0.9mm, wt 1.52g.
36. Oval disc
D 20x22mm, th 1.5mm, wt 3.12g.
37. Disc
D 20mm, th 1.6mm, wt 3.46g.
Ref: B: Barnard, The Casting Counter and the Counting Board (1916) Berry: English Medieval Jettons (1974) Casten and Cayon: Las Monedas Espanoles desde los reyes Visigodos ano 406 a Juan Carlos I (1984) Engel and Serrure: Traité de Numismatique du Moyen Ăge - Tome 3 (1905) M: Mitchiner, Jetons, Medalets and Tokens - Vol 1 (1988) R&H: Rouyer and Hucher, Histoire du Jeton au Moyen Ăge (1858) SMMC 3: Salisbury Museum Medieval Catalogue part 3 (2001) T: de la Tour, Catalogue of the Collection Rouyer, Vol 1 (1899)
(Algar D). Forthcoming: "A Group of Late Fourteenth Century English and French Reckoning Counters from Little Cheverell, Wiltshire". British Numismatic Journal.
This is a find of note and has been designated: National importance
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: AD 1350
Date to: AD 1380
Quantity: 37
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 27th November 2005
This information is restricted for your access level.
4 Figure: ST9953
Four figure Latitude: 51.276145
Four figure longitude: -2.01572
1:25K map: ST9953
1:10K map: ST95SE
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
Method of discovery: Metal detector
Discovery circumstances: During a metal detector 'Day Out'. The thirty-seventh jetton was found by Mr Nigel Wright, also of the Trowbridge and District Metal Detecting Club
General landuse: Grassland, Heathland
Specific landuse: Undisturbed grassland
No references cited so far.