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COIN
Unique ID: BERK-DC7B30
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
Treasure case 2016 T222. A complete but worn and now bent silver halfgroat of the Commonwealth, dating to the period AD 1649-1660. Mint of London. North N2728. The coin has been bent in two opposing directions, a practice taken as being indicative of the creation of a 'love token'. The coin has also been pierced between the bases of the two shields on the reverse which seems to be a purposeful placement rather than being accidental.
This coin had been pierced and, possibly, deliberately bent. This might indicate that its use has changed from a coin in circulation to an object, a love token / pendant. However, there are other possibilities to consider. Bent and pierced silver coins could still function as currency, as their presence in hoards would seem to indicate. The piercing in this case does not match the upright alignment of the coin on either front or back, which would be strange if it was intended to be a pendant. The coinage issued by the Commonwealth regime was treated with some suspicion after the Restoration of Charles II in 1660 and potentially subject to mistreatment. It was formally demonetised and withdrawn in 1662-3 and the coin might have been altered as part of this process.
Single coins are not normally eligible for consideration as Treasure under the terms of the Treasure Act 1996, but coins removed from currency by conversion into jewellery or other decorative function are so eligible. However, in this case the uncertainties and alternative possibilities would suggest that there is not a clear case of Treasure for this object.
Evidence of reuse: Pierced and bent
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder after being declared not Treasure
Treasure details
Treasure case tracking number: 2016T222
Chronology
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1649
Date to: Circa AD 1660
Period of reuse: POST MEDIEVAL
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 0.5 mm
Weight: 1.1 g
Diameter: 16.9 mm
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: OXPAS2015.596
Treasure case number: 2016T222
Materials and construction
Primary material: Silver
Manufacture method: Struck or hammered
Completeness: Complete
Coin data (numismatics)
Denomination: Halfgroat (silver)
Ruler/issuer: Commonwealth of England
Mint or issue place: The Tower of London
Category: English coin early Modern 1489 - 1660
Type: Halfgroat: Commonwealth (N 2728)
Obverse description: Shield of England
Obverse inscription: None
Reverse description: Co-joined shields of England and Ireland
Reverse inscription: II (value mark)
Degree of wear: Worn: fine
Coin references
No coin references available.
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Buckinghamshire (County)
District: Chiltern (District)
To be known as: Great Missenden CP
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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