Rights Holder: National Museums Liverpool
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Unique ID: LVPL-08F250
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A post-medieval coin hoard consisting of one silver groat of Mary, (1553-1554) and eleven silver coins of Elizabeth I, (1558-1603), which includes three sixpence, four groats, three threepences and one halfgroat and fragments of wood. Treasure Case: 2015 T545.
The hoard was found in association with an incomplete wooden sundial.
No. |
Wt |
Diam |
Denom |
MM |
Date on coin |
Date inferred |
Obverse |
Reverse |
North no. |
1 |
1.8 |
25.06 |
Groat |
Pomegranate |
1553-1554 |
[MARIA D G AN]G FRA [Z HI]B [REGINA]; crowned bust left. |
VERITAS TEMPORIS FILIA; long cross fourchée over royal shield. |
1960 |
No. |
Wt |
Diam |
Denom |
MM |
Date on coin |
Date inferred |
Obverse |
Reverse |
North no. |
2 |
1.4 |
20.66 |
Three-pence |
Coronet |
1567 |
ELIZABETH D G ANG FR ET HIB REGINA; crowned bust left, worn rose behind bust. |
POSVI DEV ADIVTOREM MEV; long cross fourchée on square shield, 1567 above shield. |
1998 |
|
3 |
1.2 |
19.66 |
Three-pence |
Eglantine |
1575 |
ELIZABETH D G ANG FR ET HIB REGINA; crowned bust left, rose behind bust. |
POSVI DEV ADI[VTOREM MEV]; long cross fourchée on square shield, 1575 above shield. |
1998 |
|
4 |
1.4 |
19.10 |
Three-pence |
Long cross |
1581 |
ELIZABETH D G [AN]G FR ET HIB REGINA; crowned bust left, rose behind bust. |
POSVI DEV ADI[VTOREM MEV]; long cross fourchée on square shield, 1581 above shield. |
1998 |
|
5 |
1.0 |
16.83 |
Half-groat |
Tun |
1591-94 |
E D G ROSA SINE SPINA; crowned bust left with two pellets behind. |
CIVITAS LONDON; square shield on long cross fourchée. |
2016 |
|
6 |
1.7 |
22.93 |
Groat |
Martlet |
1560-61 |
ELIZABETH D G [AN]G FR[A ET] HIB R[EGINA]; crowned bust left. |
POSVI DEV ADIVTOREM MEV; long cross fourchée on square shield. |
1986 |
|
7 |
1.7 |
24.41 |
Groat |
Cross crosslet |
1560-61 |
ELIZABETH D G [AN]G FR[A ET] HIB R[EGINA]; crowned bust left. |
[POSVI] DEV ADIVTOREM MEV; long cross fourchée on square shield. |
1986 |
|
8 |
1.9 |
23.31 |
Groat |
Cross crosslet |
1560-61 |
ELIZABETH D G AN[G FRA ET] HIB REGINA; crowned bust left. |
POSVI DEV ADIVTOREM MEV; long cross fourchée on square shield. |
1986 |
|
9 |
1.7 |
23.15 |
Groat |
Cross crosslet |
1560-61 |
ELIZA[BETH D] G ANG FRA ET HIB REGINA; crowned bust left. |
POSVI DEV ADIVTORE[M M]EV; long cross fourchée on square shield. |
1986 |
|
10 |
2.7 |
25.05 |
Sixpence |
Possibly portcullis |
1566 |
ELIZABETH D G ANG FR ET HIB REGINA; crowned bust left, large rose behind bust. |
POSVI DEV ADIVTOREM MEV; long cross fourchée on square shield, 1566 above shield. |
1997 |
|
11 |
3.1 |
25.42 |
Sixpence |
Eglantine |
1576 |
ELIZABETH D G ANG FR ET HIB REGINA; crowned bust left, large rose behind bust. |
POSVI DEV ADIVTOREM MEV; long cross fourchée on square shield, 1576 above shield. |
1997 |
|
12 |
3.1 |
25.88 |
Sixpence |
Hand |
1590 |
ELIZAB D G ANG FR ET HIB REGI; crowned bust left, rose behind bust. |
POSVI DEV ADIVTOREM MEV; long cross fourchée on square shield, 1590 above shield. |
2015 |
Notes:
Sundial: Three fragments from an incomplete wooden pocket sundial dating to the late 16th - early 17th century. The fragments, which join, form a sub-rectangular object which measures 34mm in length, 21mm in width and is 3.5mm thick. When placed together a circular case is visible in the centre. In the centre of the case is a carved circular pit with a central hole for a pin and the walls are stepped to accommodate a brass ring and then a sheet of glass. The pit measures 11mm in diameter and 5mm deep. A small amount of orange iron corrosion or staining is visible adhering to the base of the pit.
Between the two halves at the break below the pit is a possible circular pin hole. This would have tethered the string gnomon which also attached to the raised lid and cast the shadow which allowed the user to tell the time. There are radiating engraved lines which would have held the magnetic compass. There is a double circular engraved border around the central recess which is divided by diagonal grooves, the hour lines, six of which are visible. The Roman numerals IX and X are visible just above 9.00 and 10.00 of the dial. Above and to the left of the X is an engraved small circular sun formed of eight radiating lines representing the sun's rays projecting from the central circle.
Resting on top of the left side of the object (viewed facing) covering the IX was a thin laminated piece of wood. The fragment mirrors the curve of the pit and is likely to have been from the lid of the object.
Discussion by Dr John Davis: The offset of the line in the bottom of the compass bowl and it appears to be just less than 10 degrees East of North. The magnetic variation in London in 1580 was 11deg 15min east and gradually reducing (reaching zero in 1657). Fitting quite well with the dial being mid-16th century in date.
The earliest known diptych dial (in boxwood) is 1511 by Erhard Etzlaub of Nuremberg. His dials were quite complicated (they included a map of Europe) and they had Arabic numerals for the hours. The Mary Rose dials are all circular and use Arabic numerals so aren't a direct equivalent.
Roland Schewe, the curator at the Germanische Nationalmuseum in Nuremberg states: We have next to the Etzlaub dial from 1511 further three early wooden sundials. But all dials have a larger size than your fragment. It is worth noting that the decorative Borders on our 4 wooden dials are very similar.
WI 1881, signed: vlrich MArsch, 1528 known as compass-maker, dated 1th quarter 16th cent., boxwood
WI 132, unsigned, dated 1534, boxwood
WI 267, signed: GEORGIVS REINMAN, dated 1555, boxwood
WI 28, attributed to Erhard Etzlaub, dated 1511, boxwood
But more interesting is the ornament punch in the upper left corner. A circle with a bundle of eight small rays. This punch is not seen very often. It is very similar to the one from WI 267. Jacob Karner (master 1613 - c. 1648) has a similar punch, but with bundle of 10 small rays. I think that it is quite possible that the fragment dated in the 16th century, and comes from Nuremberg, maybe even from the Reinmann workshop.
General discussion: The earliest coin in this hoard is of Mary dating from AD 1553-1554 and is considerably worn on the obverse face. The coins of Elizabeth I have a fair amount of wear with the groat of Elizabeth I, coin number 6, North number 1986 considerably corroded. No evidence of a container was found deposited with the hoard.
Similar pocket sundials can be found on the PAS database: LON-8C12E6 and LON-84ADD8. This item has no maker's mark but is believed to have been made in Nuremburg. These have been dated from AD 1550-1650.
This hoard consists of more than two coins which are over 300 years old. Consequently, in terms of age and as the coins contains a minimum of 10% precious metal it qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996. . The wooden sundial, although not precious metal has been found in association with the hoard and therefore is also considered to qualify as Treasure.
The hoard has kindly been donated to the Grosvenor Museum by the finder and landowner after being declared Treasure.
This is a find of note and has been designated: National importance
Current location of find: Grosvenor Museum - donated
Subsequent action after recording: Donated to museum after being declared Treasure
Treasure case tracking number: 2015T545
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1558
Date to: Circa AD 1620
Quantity: 13
Date(s) of discovery: Thursday 23rd July 2015 - Thursday 23rd July 2015
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Treasure case number: 2015T545
Primary material: Silver
Secondary material: Wood
Manufacture method: Struck or hammered
Completeness: Complete
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
No references cited so far.