WAR MONEY
French obsidional notes--Mafeking notes--The Napoleonic
assignats--Charles II and University plate--Mints at Carlisle,
Beeston, Scarborough, Newark, Colchester, and Pontefract--Irish gun
money
Just as there are many postage stamps which owe their origin to the
stern necessities of war, so there are a great number of coins, tokens,
notes, etc., which have found their way into circulation as a result of
the belligerent attitude of armies. All such examples of war money are
extremely interesting and well worth collecting.
The conflict which is raging at the time of writing has already
produced a certain amount of war money, notably in the northern part
of France. In this area many small towns and villages have found
themselves despoiled of their metal currency, with the consequence that
paper money has been issued, under authority, to meet the temporary
demands of the outraged inhabitants. Among the illustrations of this
book, two such paper notes, coming from Epernay, are included; it is
safe to say that in time to come these and similar issues will be much
sought for.
Another interesting case of paper money which owed its inception to the
needs of war is the Mafeking currency, issued by Baden-Powell during
the famous siege by the Boers, which lasted from October 13, 1899, to
May 17, 1900. The face value of the Mafeking notes was £1, 10s., 3s.,
and 1s., but copies now change hands at considerably enhanced prices.
The issue of paper money is no new idea; the French resorted to the
practice in Napoleon's time, as they had also done during the life of
the Republic which came into being on September 20, 1792. This latter
body issued notes, termed "assignats," of five different denominations,
ranging in value from about a sovereign to forty pounds. The assignats,
it may be stated, were dishonoured by the succeeding Government, and
people who held them lost their money. The writer possesses a few
specimens which were given him, many years ago, by an old French lady
whose family had fallen from affluence to humble circumstances solely
through the dishonouring of these paper notes.
But the most interesting war currency which we have so far discovered
is the obsidional money of the Great Rebellion of 1642-9. Historical
data of this period is too well known to need repetition here, and
it is sufficient to say that Charles, after he suffered defeat at
Naseby, was forced to withdraw his troops to certain castles and towns
throughout the land. From these strongholds he made occasional sallies,
but a depleted exchequer always hampered his movements.
[Illustration: MONEY OF THE GREAT REBELLION, 1642-9.
(1. Newark sixpence--2. Colchester gold half unite--3. Pontefract
two-shilling piece--4. Ormond half-crown--5. Dublin crown of Charles
II.)]
In order to obtain sufficient money to finance the Army, Charles
begged the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge to give him their
collections of plate, which he intended to melt down and recast as
silver currency. "The University of Oxford and the majority of its
colleges sent their plate, which was safely conveyed to the King, but
that of the University of Cambridge was not sent, although many of the
individual colleges contributed theirs. The treasures of St. John's and
Magdalen, however, never reached their destination, but were seized by
Cromwell whilst in transit to Nottingham."[26] Charles had many wealthy
followers, however, and these were only too ready to help on the cause
of the Royalists by sacrificing their silver ware.
[26] Dr. Nelson, "Obsidional Money of the Great Rebellion," p. 7.
With such supplies of metal the King was able to establish mints
at Carlisle, Beeston Castle, Scarborough, Lathom House, Newark,
Colchester, and Pontefract. The money supplied by these mints was used
for paying the soldiers and buying material; it was also more or less
honoured in the surrounding villages.
"The coins were usually struck upon irregular pieces of plate, cut
from trenchers, platters, cups, etc., of silver, in place of being
struck upon flans specially prepared by melting down the plate. This
is only what one would expect, under the trying circumstances in which
the various garrisons found themselves placed. That this was the case
is clearly proved by the many examples existing, upon which traces of
the original decoration are still visible, in some instances even,
particularly upon examples issued at Scarborough, the rim of the dish
being still to be seen at the edge of the piece."[27]
[27] Dr. Nelson, "Obsidional Money of the Great Rebellion," p. 8.
Dr. Philip Nelson tells us that about Christmas-time, 1644, the
inhabitants of Carlisle were asked to take their silver plate to the
mint, situated in the town, which they cheerfully did. The quantity of
silver plate which was so obtained amounted to 1,162 oz. It was made
up of the following items, which possess for the reader of to-day both
a pathetic and an amusing interest. The item of "Widdow Orpheur, four
spoons," truly a case of the widow's mite, and Sir Henry Fletcher's
tankard, tumbler, and wine "bowles" strike us as being particularly
worthy of note.
_May the 13th_ A LIST OF ALL THE PLAITE BROUGHT IN TO
1645 BE COYNED WITH THE WEIGHT THEREOF.
Will: Atkinson. Alder one Winde Mill Boule, a oz.
Trencher salt & three spoones wt 012 1/2 0
Widdow Craister one beare boule one beaker one wine
boule and six spoones wt 024 1/4 0
Julien Aglionby one Boule wt 008 1/2 0
Edmond Kidd 2 Bowles wt 015 3/4 0
Thomas Kidd one Boule wt 007 0 1/8
Will: Wilson Tenner one Bowle one Beaker wt 014 1/2 0
Thomas Lowrie 2 spoones wt 002 0 0
Robert Sewell one spoone wt 001 0 1/8
Collnell Kirkebride one bowle 4 spoones wt 013 0 0
Mary Carlile one bowle and 8 spoones wt 015 3/4 0
Edward Dalton one bowle one Tumbler & 2 peeces of
broken plate wt 022 0 1/8
Mrs Chambers 2 beare boules and one wine boule wt 034 1/4 0
Mr Glaisters 3 beare bowles & 6 spoones wt 034 3/4 0
Widdow Baines Junior one bowle 2 spoones wt 011 1/2 1/8
Thomas Jackson one bowle & 2 spoones wt 007 1/2 1/8
Thomas Monke one bowle wt 008 0 0
Josph Jefferson one bowle wt 010 0 0
Mr Edward Orpheur one bowle 4 spoons wt 014 1/4 0
John Orbell 2 bowles one gilt bowle and 10 spoones wt 040 3/4 0
Widdow Orpheur 4 spoons wt 005 3/4 0
Mr Edward Fountaìne one bowle one salt and 2 spoones
Wt 017 1/2 0
Mr Richard Wilson 1 gilt bowle wt 008 1/2 0
Thomas Craggill 2 wine bowles and 3 silver spoons wt 015 0 0
Henry Monke one beaker 4 spoons wt 011 1/2 0
Thomas Tallentyre one bowle 4 spoones wt 013 3/4 0
Captaine Aglionby one bowle wt 010 1/2 1/8
Sir Thomas Glemham 2 Candlesticks wt 044 3/4 0
Mr George Barwicke one bowle 6 spoones wt 017 0 1/8
Robert James one bowle wt 008 3/4 0
Isabeil Holliday one sugardish wt 011 3/4 0
Sir Henry Fletcher one tankard one salt 1 tumbler
2 wine bowles 6 spoones wt 055 3/4 1/8
Capt: Cape 2 beare bowles 2 gilt salts one Colledge
pott one Can gilt one gilt beaker wt 089 0 0
Mr Fredericke Tonstall one dozen 1/2 of plate wt 145 0 0
Mrs Tullie 5 spoones wt 006 1/4 0
John Tomlinson one bowle wt 008 0 0
Edward James one bowle wt 008 1/2 1/8
Sr Will: Dalston one greate salt one lesser salt
one bowle 8 spoones wt 063 1/2 0
Mr Leo: Dykes one bowle one Tankard 6 spoones wt 030 3/4 0
Mr Lewis West 1 bowle wt 009 3/4 1/8
Sr Tho: Dacre 2 bowles wt 019 1/2 0
Capt Johnson one Tankard one salt wt 030 0 0
The Citties plate 2 Flaggons 2 gilt bowles one gilt
salt 2 beare bowles wt 233 0 0
--------------
1162 1/4 1/8
Received in plate 1162 oz - 1/4 - 1/8 at 5s per oz Delivered to
Mr Dykes 3001i resting in or hands 231i - 0 - 3
stamped out of 1076 oz. - 1/2 - 1/8
at 6s per oz 323 0 3
Gayned by Coyning at 6s per oz 42 8 4
Lost in meltynge and working 21 10 0
(Endorsed)
May the 13th 1645.
A note of
plate Coyned
The Carlisle money had the appearance of roughly made coinage, but that
coming from the Beeston mint was innocent of even such resemblance.
At this mint, thin pieces of silver were cut into fragments, weighed
and then stamped with whatever value tallied with the weight. Thus
we find not only two-shilling pieces, shilling pieces, and so
on, but sevenpenny pieces, tenpenny pieces, and pieces valued at
thirteen-pence. There was, we may add, but one face to all these coins.
The Beeston money did not bear any wording to show that it was coined
at this castle, but simply bore a stamped impression of the castle
gateway.
The Scarborough mint was no better equipped than that at Beeston, and
what we have said of the latter applies also to the former. There is
just this to be mentioned of the Scarborough pieces: "The reverse of
the coins is blank, save for the few specimens which bear engraved
upon them the words OBS-SCARBOROUGH-1645, which engraving,
however, may possibly not be contemporary with the siege, but may
have been added subsequently, as a memorial, about the date of the
Restoration."[28]
[28] Dr. Nelson, "Obsidional Money of the Great Rebellion," p. 18.
The Newark money was much better fashioned. It was not circular nor
irregular, but lozenge-shaped. The front faces usually bore the royal
crown, the letters C.R., and the value in pence, whilst the rear faces
showed the date and the words OBS-NEWARK. There were no coins
for odd amounts as there were at Beeston.
[Illustration: GUN MONEY OF JAMES II.
(1. Sixpence--2. Sixpence--3. Shilling--4. Shilling--5. Half-crown--6.
Half-crown--7. Half-crown--8. Half-crown.)]
Colchester turned out various grades of money. The gold half-unite
was circular and of fairly good workmanship, but the silver shilling
and the silver nine-penny piece were shaped variously and poor in
quality.
The best coinage of all came from Pontefract, where the siege money was
struck not only for Charles I but also for Charles II. The designs were
all enclosed within a circle, but the shape of the metal was circular,
lozenge-shaped, and hexagonal. Both faces of the coins were ornamented.
* * * * *
Other siege money which we must note came from Ireland, and grew out of
the rebellion, headed by Phelim O'Neill, which rose in 1641, when some
forty thousand men, women, and children were cruelly massacred by the
Confederated Catholics.
This self-constituted body--followers of Charles--drew up many decrees:
we need mention here but one:--
"It is this day ordered by this assembly, that coin and plate shall
be raised and established in this Kingdom, according to the rates and
values hereafter mentioned, and that there shall be forthwith coined
the sum of four thousand pounds, to pass currant in and through this
Kingdom, according to a proclamation."
Accordingly, special coinage was struck at Kilkenny, Bandon, Kinsale,
Youghal, and Cork, whilst Lord Inchquin and the Marquis of Ormond
minted money which was popularly named after them. The Inchquin coins
possess no claims to beauty nor even good workmanship, but the Ormond
money is certainly bold in design and fair in construction.
Another interesting case of war money being coined arose out of the
appearance of James II in Ireland during the early part of the year
1688. James had previously issued a patent for minting money to Sir
John Knox, but on arriving in Ireland he seized the latter's coining
apparatus and set up his own mints in Dublin and Limerick. A most
interesting proclamation which he published in the year 1689 explained
the measures he proposed to adopt for debasing the coinage; we give it
_in extenso_:--
"Whereas, for remedy of the present scarcity of money in this our
kingdom, and that our standing forces may be the better paid and
subsisted, and that our subjects of this realm may be the better
enabled to pay and discharge the taxes, excise, customs, rents, and
other debts and duties, which are or shall be hereafter payable to us:
we have ordered a certain quantity of copper and brass money to be
coyned to pass currant in this our kingdom during our pleasure, in six
penny pieces: each piece having on one side the effigies or figure of
our head, with this inscription round JACOBUS II DEI GRATIA,
and upon the other side, the stamp or impression of cross-sceptres
and a crown between J.R. with VI above, the month wherein they are
coyned below, with this inscription round, MAG. BRIT. FRAN. &
HIBER. REX. 1689, and fringed round, each of the said pieces to
be of the metal of copper and brass; all which pieces of money we have
thought fit, by the advice of our privy council, to make currant
money within this our kingdom. We do therefore hereby publish and
declare, by the advice aforesaid, that the said pieces of copper and
brass coyned, or hereafter to be coyned by our said order marked and
stampt as aforesaid, shall pass during our pleasure, as currant money
amongst all our subjects within our realm, and in all payments to
be made either to us, or from us, or to or from any of our subjects
within this kingdom, according to the rates following: that is to say,
each of the said pieces called six penny pieces, marked and stamped
as aforesaid, to pass for six pence: the said pieces to pass at the
rates aforesaid, for the interest which hereafter shall fall due for
such mortgages and debts due by records, bills, bonds, or obligations,
and likewise for any of the said principal debts so secured where
the debtor or his goods are, or shall be taken in execution for the
same, and we do hereby strictly charge and command all and every of
our subjects of this kingdome to take and receive in all payments to
be made to them (excepting as aforesaid) the said pieces of money
according to the rates aforesaid, hereby declaring that such of our
subjects within this kingdom as shall refuse the said pieces of copper
and brass money at the rates aforesaid (excepting as aforesaid) being
tendered to them for payment, shall be punished according to the
utmost rigour of the law, as contemners of our royal prerogative and
command. Provided always, that this our proclamation shall not be
construed, to oblige any merchant or merchants, importing any goods
into this kingdom, to receive upon the first sale of such goods so
imported, any of the said copper or brass money: And whereas we have
caused the said copper and brass money to be made currant money for
present necessity, and therefore do not intend that the same shall
continue for any long time. We do, by this our royal proclamation,
promise and engage to all our subjects here that as soon as the said
money shall be decried and made null, that we shall thereupon receive
from all and every our subjects within this kingdom such proportion of
the said money as shall be, and remain in their respective hands at
the time the same shall be so decried and made null: and at the same
time either allow for the same to them the value thereof, at the rates
aforesaid, out of what rent, duties or debts, they respectively shall
owe to us, or to make them full satisfaction for the same according to
the rates aforesaid, in gold or silver of the currant coyne of this
kingdom. Given at our court, at Dublin-castle, the eighteenth day of
June, 1689, and in the fifth year of our reign.
BY THE KING."
[Illustration: GUN MONEY OF JAMES II.
(9. Shilling--10. Shilling--11. Half-crown--12. Half-crown--13.
Half-crown--14. Crown--15. Crown--16. Limerick farthing.)]
A certain amount of trouble was, of course, experienced by the King in
obtaining sufficient supplies of metal to meet his somewhat rapacious
lust for coining. After his own stores were exhausted he cast around
for additional supplies and the following candid letter reveals his
method of procedure:--
"Our will and pleasure is, that you forthwith deliver to the
commissioners of the mint those two brass canons now lying in the
court of this our castle marked etc. weighing etc. and for soe doeing
this shall be your warrant. Given at our court at Dublin-castle, this
eleventh day of July, 1689, and in the fifth year of our reign.
To our trusty and wel-beloved
cozen and counsellor Justin Lord
Viscount Mount Cashel, master general
of our ordnance."
This second letter, dealing with the same matter, is also worthy of
note:--
"SIR,
We have great occasion for his majesty's use to procure as much
hamered or forged copper and brass as your parts can afford, and
judging by the decay of trade and desolation of the country, that
there may bee a great deale in your district or port, we desire you,
by yourself and officers, to inform us presently what quantity you
may bee able to furnish us with, and what the currant prices are
of each. And whatever you can gett, buy at the best rates you can,
and as soon as you have four or five hundred weight pray send it to
us the commissioners of his majesty's mint, at the mint-house in
Capel-street, Dublin, and what you pay shall bee allowed you in your
accounts at the custom house, so doing you'll oblige,
Yours, &c."
A third letter, which we give below, was written by one of the King's
emissaries who, with other trusty servants, was sent out to scour
the country for further supplies of metal suitable for coining into
gun-money.
"LIMERICK, _Jan. the 4th, 1689_.
SIR,
Last Tuesday, the carriages parted from hence with six thousand six
hundred weight of gunn mettle, six hundred a quarter and two pounds of
fine pewter, and a thousand weight of steele, they will be eleven or
twelve days a goeing because the roads are very deep--The pewter cost
ten pence per pound, and steele six pence. You may expect very soone a
farther supply of mettle for I have made an agreement with two eminent
dealers from Corke who have five or six thousand weight of copper and
brass which they are to send here. I must have an order from the lords
of the treasury, for sending it to your mint: there are foure or five
broken bells in the country, which I can have if you send an order
for seizing them for the king's use: there is an useless cannon at
Gallway, and one or two at Kingsaile: I forgot to send you some of our
coyne as you desired, by the next occasion I will not faile. I cannot
buy fine pewter now under eleven or twelve pence the pound, for they
say that you give fourteen or fifteen pence in Dublin, the rates for
carriage from hence to Dublin is eight shillings the hundred weight.
I rest your humble servant,
WAT PLUNKETT.
To John Trindar Esq."
Summing up James's treatment of the coinage in Ireland, Dr. Nelson
says: "Such a debasement of a country's coinage as we have seen above
must ever be regarded as a sign of national weakness: also, from the
sense of insecurity so engendered, it must inevitably bring disaster
in its train, and such a fate overtook the cause of James alike in
Ireland and in England. It was doubtless the intention of King James to
redeem his gun-money coins, month by month, as opportunity permitted.
Circumstances, however, decreed otherwise, as after the Battle of the
Boyne he departed for France and was compelled to leave his adherents
to their fate."[29]
[29] Dr. Nelson, "The Coinage of Ireland in Copper, Tin, and Pewter,"
p. 24.
With the advent of William and Mary, the gun-money of James was
re-valued at rates which were practically ruinous to those who held any
but small quantities of it. The proclamation ran as follows:--
"Having taken into our consideration the great oppressions and abuses
committed by our enemies in this our kingdom of Ireland, by coyning
and making currant brass money of copper or mixt metal, and raising
the value thereof to an extravagant height, thereby to enable them to
continue the war against us, and to impoverish our loving subjects in
our said kingdom: We have therefore thought it necessary to put stop
thereto, and to the end that such part of the said copper or mix't
metal money, which remains in the hands of our said subjects, may not
be wholly lost, we have thought fit to reduce the former value of the
said copper money, to the value or standard of the like copper money
formerly currant in this our kingdom, and accordingly we do hereby
will and require all our subjects, within our said kingdom of Ireland,
to take and receive all such copper or mix't metal money, lately
coined in the mint erected in our city of Dublin, at the several and
respective valuations following, and that the same do pass currant
in exchange of money, and for all manner of goods and provisions
whatsoever, and shall be received by all the officers and collectors
of our customs, excise, or other branches of our revenue accordingly,
viz.
"The large half-crown of copper money, together with the crown pieces,
of like metal and weight, lately stamp'd shall pass at one penny
sterling.
"The small half-crown of copper, lately stamp'd shall pass at three
farthings.
"The large copper shilling shall pass at a half-penny sterling.
"The small shilling, lately stamped, and sixpence, shall pass each at
one farthing.
"And our will and pleasure is, that all such pewter pence, as have
been lately coyned in the said mint, shall pass for half-pence, and
all the half-pence of the like metal, stamped in the said mint, shall
pass currant for farthings.
"Which several sorts of coyn shall be deemed as currant money at the
rates before mentioned, in all payments whatsoever within this our
kingdom. Given at our camp by Dublin, this tenth day of July, 1690, in
the second year of our reign."
[Illustration: PAPER MONEY OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC, 1793.]
In the limited space at our disposal, we have not been able to give
more than an outline sketch of the various moneys under discussion.
The student, however, will find detailed accounts of every coin issued
during the Great Rebellion, and later by James II in Ireland, in Dr.
Philip Nelson's two most interesting works, (_a_) "The Obsidional Money
of the Great Rebellion," and (_b_) "The Copper Coinage of Ireland."