Description

Summary: Post-Medieval silver gilt jewellery fitting or devotional object, comprising two gilded and modified half-groats of Henry VIII. The edges of the two coins are folded together to create a hollow lozengiform bead, with the angles of the fold creating a longitudinal perforation through the bead. In both cases, the reverse of the coin faces outward. The coins used are (i) halfgroat of Henry VIII, dating to 1509-1533. First or second coinage, uncertain initial mark.Episcopal issue of Archbishop William Warham, minted in Canterbury. North (1991: 109, \n112) nos. 1766 or 1802. (ii) halfgroat of Henry VIII, dating to 1533-1544. Second coinage, uncertain initial mark. Episcopal issue of Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, minted in Canterbury. North (1991: 112) no. 1804. That the initials of both Archbishops are visible on the reverses of the coins, and that they appear to have been folded to respect these, suggests that the selection of these episcopal issues was a deliberate act and that the artefact may have had a devotional purpose. Given that the object dates to precisely the time at which the English Church was made subservient to the crown and the process of breaking away from Rome started, it is of considerable interest. Found in Wingfield, 2020.