The Ackworth Hoard
English: This report concerns the contents of a hoard of Civil War period material from Ackworth, West Yorkshire, reported found on 21 July 2011. The find consists of 591 coins, a gold ring and a piece of leather contained within a pot (which was broken when moved), a second smaller vessel was found by the builders which may be associated. The find was reported to Amy Downes, Finds Liaison Officer for South and West Yorkshire, who carried out an initial sort of the hoard and conducted an excavation of the site. No further coins were recovered and the objects were transferred to the British Museum for reporting under the terms of the Treasure Act. PAS ID: SWYOR-FDBB70 The coins (by Richard Kelleher): The gold portion of the find consists of 52 coins, the first is the earliest in the hoard and was minted 1547-9. Of the remainder 523 are silver issues of the rulers of England and Scotland, and were thus struck to the official fineness of the sterling standard: 92.5% fine metal. The Irish coins number four while the remaining twelve coins originated in the Spanish Netherlands and are of good silver, 94% fine, slightly better than sterling. <tbody></tbody> ReignMetalDenominationsEdward VIGold1 half-sovereignSilver2 shillings and 2 sixpencesElizabeth ISilver30 shillings and 121 sixpencesJames IGold5 unites, 3 double crowns, 4 Britain crowns, 3 halfcrowns, 8 laurels, 2 half laurels, 2 quarter laurelsSilver1 half-crown, 25 shillings and 20 sixpencesCharles IGold13 unites, 6 double crowns, 4 crownsSilver90 half-crowns, 189 shillings and 31 sixpencesIrelandJames I: 3 shillings and 1 sixpenceScotlandJames VI (I), gold: 1 half sword and sceptre; silver: 2 thirty-shillings Scots and 7 thistle merks. Charles I, silver: 2 thirty-shillings ScotsForeignSpanish Netherlands: 1 ducaton of Albert and Elisabeth and 11 of Philip IVuncertain1 possible English shillingThe bulk of the coins present are issues of three monarchs, Elizabeth I and the first two Stuart kings of England, James I and Charles I. There are just five coins dated prior to Elizabeth's reign - all of Edward VI. Irish coins were struck at the Tower mint to a distinctive design and weighed three quarters as much as their English counterparts. They were allowed to circulate in England at a lesser rate with shillings valued at 9d. Ten of the twelve Scottish coins come from the period before the unification of England and Scotland under James I (VI), while two were struck under Charles I. Also present are silver coins of Albert and Isabella and Philip IV from the Spanish Netherlands. All these elements are generally consistent with what we know of English currency in the 1640s, the start of the English Civil War, a period from which there are many coin hoards. The whole assemblage is completely consistent as being a single group of coins deposited on one occasion in the mid-1640s. The value of the group when buried was £85-12s-0d, a significant amount of money, which puts it among the larger hoards recorded for the Civil War period. The posy ring (by Judy Rudoe): A thin, lightweight gold posy ring. Plain exterior band, rounded exterior. The interior of the band bears the inscription: When this you see remember me The inscription appears in Joan Evans' English Posies and Posy ring, noted as in use from 1596 to at least 1735. The ring, on its own merits, would not be specifically datable beyond 17th - 18th Century but as the ring was discovered in a pot with coins of terminus date 1645-6 we can conclude that the ring has a comparable date. Dimensions: Diameter: 20.42mm Band width: 4.39mm Band thickness: 1.21mm Weight: 4.9g The pots (by Beverley Nenk): Two post-medieval pottery vessels, both made of hard, highly-fired earthenware covered with a dark brown glaze. Vessel 1: The coins were found in the larger of the two vessels, probably either a Black ware or Cistercian ware bowl or jar. The vessel is complete although broken into two pieces. Height: approx 138mm. Max rim diameter: 151mm. Max base diameter: 105mm. Vessel 2: The second vessel, a small Cistercian ware cup with a flared rim, may also be associated with the hoard. The cup is now lacking its two handles, and the rim of the cup does not survive. Base diameter: approx 50mm. The larger pot was discovered containing the coins with a deposition date of 1645-6, confirming that the pot is of a similar date. It is also possible that the smaller Cistercian ware cup was associated with the hoard. Cistercian ware (originally so-called when examples were found on the sites of Cistercian abbeys in Yorkshire) dates from the later 15th to the 17th century, and Black ware pottery from the 17th to 18th centuries. Both types of pottery were produced at the important manufacturing centre of Wrenthorpe (or Potovens), near Wakefield, some 10 miles from Ackworth. Further research might determine whether the Ackworth pots were products of the Wrenthorpe industry. Conclusion: The latest coins present belong to the mint mark sun, in use 1645-6. There is no indication that the group was added to over time, instead it looks strongly as though it was withdrawn from use at a single point. The coins found at Ackworth can certainly be regarded a deposit made on a single occasion. They are all of good silver and gold. It is our opinion, therefore, that the find fulfils the criteria of Treasure according to the terms of the Act. The posy ring (which by virtue of its age and precious metal content would fulfil the criteria for Treasure in its own right) the larger pot and the leather fragment, being found with the coins, would therefore be Treasure by association with the coin hoard. Owing to the close dating and possible association of the smaller Cistercian ware cup with the rest of the hoard, it could also be considered as part of this find. Richard Kelleher Curatorial Assistant Department of Coins and Medals British Museum Judy Rudoe Curator of Modern Collections Department of Prehistory & Europe British Museum Beverley Nenk Curator of Later Medieval Collections Department of Prehistory & Europe British Museum Appendix I - Catalogue of the coins <tbody></tbody> ENGLISH COINSEdward VI (1547-1553)Posthumous coinage in the name of Henry VIII (1)1Gold half sovereign, Tower mint, m.m. none/none, K below shield (1547-9) [N1865]5.50gSilver (4)2Shilling, Y (1547-51) [N1937]4.57g3Shilling, tun (1551-3) [N1937]5.51g4Sixpence, London, Y (1550-1) [N1938]2.72g5Sixpence, London, uncertain (1551-3) [N1938]2.28gElizabeth I (1558-1603)Hammered coinageSilverShilling (30)6-10Cross-crosslet (1560-1) [N1985]5.92g, 5.85g, 5.50g, 4.97g, 4.91g11-17Martlet (1560-1) [N1985]5.85g, 5.80g, 5.51g, 5.40g, 5.25g, 5.23g, 5.16g18-20Bell (1582/3-83) [N2014]5.90g, 5.74g, 5.44g21-24A (1583-84/5) [N2014]6.19g, 5.81g, 5.76g, 4.92g25Escallop (1584/5-87) [N2014]5.54g26-28Tun (1591/2-94) [N2014]6.09g, 5.98g, 5.71g29Woolpack (1594-95/6) [N2014]5.77g30Key (1595/6-97/8) [N2014]5.77g31-321 (1601-2) [N2014]5.50g, 4.83g33-342 (1602-3) [N2014]5.77g, 5.87g35Uncertain mintmark (hand, tun?)6.15gSixpence (121)36-55Pheon (1561) [N1997]2.82g, 2.76g, 2.72g, 2.72g, 2.72g, 2.69g, 2.68g, 2.67g, 2.64g, 2.62g, 2.57g, 2.57g, 2.56g, 2.51g, 2.51g, 2.50g, 2.47g, 2.44g, 2.44g, 2.20g56-59Rose (1565) [N1997]2.69g, 2.64g, 2.62g, 2.53g60Illegible (1565) [N1997]2.72g61-65Portcullis (1566) [N1997]2.81g, 2.75g, 2.72g, 2.71g, 2.50g66-67Lion (1566) [N1997]2.83g, 2.44g68-69Coronet (1567) [N1997]2.76g, 2.61g70-75Coronet (1568) [N1997]2.88g, 2.79g, 2.78g, 2.75g, 2.67g, 2.49g76-82Coronet (1569) [N1997]2.82g, 2.78g, 2.76g, 2.73g, 2.61g, 2.57g, 2.16g83-84Coronet (1570) [N1997]2.71g, 2.30g85-87Castle (1571) [N1997]2.84g, 2.63g, 2.43g88-94Ermine (1572) [N1997]2.77g, 2.71g, 2.68g, 2.66g, 2.50g, 2.46g, 2.32g95-98Ermine (1573) [N1997]2.83g, 2.80g, 2.78g, 2.65g99-100Acorn (1573) [N1997]2.79g, 2.68g101Acorn (1574) [N1997]2.83g102-103Eglantine (1574) [N1997]2.91g, 2.75g104-107Eglantine (1575) [N1997]2.80g, 2.72g, 2.64g, 2.45g108-113Plain cross (1578) [N1997]3.11g, 3.00g, 2.82g, 2.79g, 2.78g, 2.69g114-118Plain cross (1579) [N1997]2.92g, 2.87g, 2.78g, 2.75g, 2.50g119Plain cross? (1580) [N1997]2.66g120-124Long cross (1580) [N1997]2.77g, 2.75g, 2.72g, 2.70g, 2.61g125Uncertain (1580) [N1997]2.63g126-127Long cross (1581) [N1997]2.77g, 2.61g128-130Sword (1582) [N1997]2.78g, 2.75g, 2.75g131Uncertain [N1997]2.22g132-133Bell (1583) [N2015]2.77g, 2.64g134-135A (1583) [N2015]2.68g, 2.65g136A (1584) [N2015]2.72g137-138Escallop (1585) [N2015]2.74g, 2.39g139Escallop (1586) [N2015]2.59g140Escallop (1587) [N2015]2.89g141-142Crescent (1587) [N2015]2.93g, 2.79g143Crescent (1588) [N2015]2.67g144-145Hand (1591) [N2015]2.90g, 2.80g146-149Tun (1592) [N2015]2.89g, 2.78g, 2.62g, 2.59g150-151Tun (1593) [N2015]2.71g, 2.65g152Woolpack or key? (1595) [N2015]2.73g153Key (1596) [N2015]2.80g154-1552 (1602) [N2015]2.83g, 2.83gMilled sixpence (1)156Bust C, star (1562) [2026]3.06gJames I (1603-25)First coinage (1603-4)Shilling (4)157-158Thistle (1603-4) bust 1 [N2072]5.58g, 5.36g159Thistle (1603-4) bust 1 [N2072]5.76g160Uncertain (1603-5) bust 2 [N2073]5.04gSixpence (11)161-166Thistle (1603) bust 1 [N2074]2.90g, 2.85g, 2.76g, 2.76g, 2.58g, 2.52g167-168Thistle (1603) bust 1 [N2075]2.75g, 2.20g169Thistle (1604) bust 2 [N2075]2.83g170Lis (1604) bust 2 [N2075]2.81gSecond coinage (1604-19)Gold Unite (5)171Tower (1612-13) bust 4 [2084]9.80g172Trefoil (1613) bust 4 [2084]9.78g173-175Tun (1615-16) bust 5 [2085]10.05g, 9.84g, 9.83gGold double crown (3)176-177Coronet (1607-9) bust 4 [2087]4.98g, 4.96g178Crescent (1617-18) bust 5 [2088]4.96gGold Britain crown (4)179Coronet (1607-9) bust 1 [2090]2.46g180Tower (1612-13) bust 3 [2091]2.47g181Cinquefoil (1613-15) bust 3 [2091]2.49g182Tun (1615-16) bust 5 [2092]2.34gGold half crown (3)183Cinquefoil (1613-15) bust 5 [N2095]1.28g184Book (1616-17) bust 5 [N2095]1.20g185Plain cross (1618-19) bust 5 [N2095]1.22gShilling (17)186-190Lis (1604-5) bust 3 [N2099]5.83g, 5.79g, 5.73g, 5.58g, 5.27g191-192Rose (1605-6) bust 3 [N2099]5.86g, 5.74g193-194Rose (1605-6) bust 4 [N2100]6.06g, 5.71g195Escallop (1606-7) bust 4 [N2100]5.90g196-199Grapes (1607) bust 4 [N2100]5.75g, 5.73g, 5.47g, 5.15g200Coronet (1607-9) bust 5 [N2101]5.63g201Coronet (1607-9) bust 6 [N2101]5.83g202Trefoil (1613) bust 5 [N1613]5.85gSixpence (8)203Lis (1604) bust 3 [N2102]2.87g204Lis (1605) bust 3 [N2102]2.60g205Rose (1605) bust 3 [N2102]2.88g206-207Rose (1605) bust 4 [N2103]2.60g, 2.24g208Escallop (1606) bust 4 [N2103]2.96g209Grapes (1607) bust 4 [N2103]2.81g210Coronet (1608) bust 4 [N2103]2.79gThird coinage (1619-25)Gold laurel (8)211Lis (1623-4) [N2114]9.02g212-218Trefoil (1624) [N2114]9.18g, 9.09g, 9.08g, 9.05g, 9.04g, 9.01g, 8.97gGold half laurel (2)219-220Trefoil (1624) bust 4 [N2117]4.53g, 4.38gGold quarter laurel (2)221Thistle (1621-3) bust 2 [N2118]2.28g222Spur rowel (1619-20) bust 2 [N2118]2.21gHalf crown (1)223Trefoil (1624) [N2123]14.72gShilling (3)224Rose (1620-1) bust 6 [N2124]5.78g225Lis (1623-4) bust 6 [N2124]6.04g226Trefoil (1624) bust 6 [N2124]5.70gSixpence (3)227Rose (1621) bust 6 [N2126]2.84g228Trefoil (1624) bust 6 [N2126]2.96g229Lis (1624) bust 6 [N2126]2.58gCharles I (1625-49)Gold unite (13)230-233Group A, lis (1625) bust 1 [N2146]9.07g, 9.03g, 9.02g, 8.95g234Group B, blackamoor's head (1626-7) bust 2 [N2148]9.06g235Group B, castle (1627-8) bust 2 [N2148]8.99g236Group B, anchor (1628-9) bust 2 [N2148]9.03g237Group B, heart (1629-30) bust 2 [N2148]9.07g238Group C, plume (1630-1) bust 3 [N2150]9.09g239Group C, rose (1630-1) bust 3 [N2151]9.08g240-241Group D, crown (1635-6) bust 4 [N2153]9.12g, 9.03g242Group F, star (1640-1) bust 6 [N2154]9.05gGold double crown (6)243Group A, lis (1625) bust 1 [N2159]4.57g244Group A, cross calvary (1625-6) bust 1 [N2159]4.43g245-246Group B, castle (1627-8) bust 2 [N2161]4.47g, 4.47g<a title="" href="#_ftn1">[1]</a>247Group D, bell (1634-5) bust 4 [N2169]4.52g248Group F, (P) (1643-4) bust 6 [N2177]4.58gGold crown (4)249Group A, lis (1625) bust 1 [N2179]2.31g250Group A, uncertain, bust 1 [N2179]2.22g251Group B, cross calvary (1625-6) bust 2 [N2181]2.25g252Group D, triangle-in-circle (1641-3) bust 4 [N2185]2.19gHalf crown (87)253-254Group II, harp (1632-3) horseman 2 [N2207]14.90g, 14.70g255Group II, portcullis (1633-4) horseman 2 [N2207]14.94g256-259Group III, bell (1634-5) horseman 3 [N2209]15.05g, 15.05g, 14.93g, 14.45g260-261Group III, crown (1635-6) horseman 3 [N2209]15.11g, 14.92g262-267Group III, tun (1636-8) horseman 3 [N2209]15.28g, 15.26g, 15.21g, 15.20g, 15.20g, 14.91g268-270Group III, triangle (1639-40) later horseman [N2211]15.20g, 15.08g, 14.98g271-272Group III, triangle (1639-40) later horseman [N2212]15.04g, 14.81g273-277Group III, star (1640-1) later horseman [N2211]15.28g, 15.20g, 15.01g, 14.77g, 14.27g278-299Group IV, triangle-in-circle (1641-3) fourth horseman [N2214]15.55g, 15.22g, 15.22g, 15.20g, 15.17g, 15.15g, 15.15g, 15.08g, 15.04g, 15.04g, 15.03g, 15.02g, 14.96g, 14.94g, 14.93g, 14.86g, 14.66g, 14.36g, 14.29g, 14.20g, 13.86g, 13.54g300-308Group III, (P) (1643-4) later horseman [N2213]15.41g, 15.38g, 15.27g, 15.10g, 15.06g, 14.90g, 14.78g, 14.71g, 14.42g309-318Group III, (R) (1644-5) fourth horseman [N2213]16.10g, 15.28g, 15.27g, 15.06g, 15.03g, 14.97g, 14.96g, 14.71g, 14.49g, 13.94g319Group III, eye (1645) later horseman [N2213]14.90g320-324Group III, sun (1645-6) later horseman [N2213]15.68g, 14.91g, 14.91g, 14.63g, 14.56g325-330Group III, uncertain mintmark [N2211 or 2213]15.36g, 15.14g, 14.90g, 14.61g, 13.94g, 13.91g331-335Group IV, uncertain mintmark [N2214]15.58g, 15.13g, 14.90g, 14.75g, 14.26g336Group V, sun (1645-6) fifth horseman [2215]15.10gThomas Bushell's mints (1637-45)337Oxford, plume (1643) [N2413]13.40g338Oxford, none (1644) [N2420]14.72gOther Royalist mints339York, type 2 I (1643-44) [N2315]15.54g340York, type 2 J (1643-44) [N2315]14.84g341Chester (1644) [N2628]14.74gUnattested Royalist mints342'A' mint (1645) [N2514]15.44gShilling (189)343Group A, Lis (1625) bust 1 [N2216]5.80g344Group A, Cross calvary (1625-6) bust 1 [N2216]5.76g345Group B, Cross calvary (1625-6) bust 2 [N2218]5.24g346Group B, Blackamoor's head (1626-7) bust 2 [N2220]5.67g347Group C, plume (1630-1) bust 3 [N2221]5.72g348-350Group D, harp (1632-3) bust 4 [N2223]6.05g, 5.94g, 5.67g351-354Group D, portcullis (1633-4) bust 4 [N2223]5.99g, 5.94g, 5.93g, 5.64g355-357Group D, bell (1634-5) bust 4 [N2225]5.98g, 5.98g, 5.78g358-374Group D, crown (1635-6) bust 4 [N2225]6.08g, 6.06g, 6.03g, 6.00g, 5.99g, 5.99g, 5.97g, 5.97g, 5.97g, 5.95g, 5.94g, 5.93g, 5.91g, 5.91g, 5.91g, 5.88g, 5.83g375-392Group D, tun (1636-8) bust 4 [N2225]6.15g, 6.07g, 6.00g, 5.99g, 5.97g, 5.94g, 5.90g, 5.89g, 5.84g, 5.83g, 5.80g, 5.61g, 5.55g, 5.51g, 5.32g, 5.10g, 5.02g, 4.98g393-395Group E, tun (1636-8) bust 5 [N2227]6.10g, 5.99g, 5.18g396-400Group E, anchor (1628-9) bust 3 [N2228]6.09g, 5.95g, 5.60g, 5.84g, 5.82g401Group E, tun (1636-8) [N2229]5.78g402Group E, triangle (1639-40) [N2229]6.06g403-404Group E, uncertain [N2229]5.25g, 5.24g405-410Group E, anchor (1628-9) bust 5 [N3330/1]6.05g, 6.00g, 5.98g, 5.97g, 5.83g, 5.76g411-418Group F, triangle (1639-40) [N2231]6.09g, 6.08g, 5.97g, 5.91g, 5.83g, 5.79g, 5.58g, 5.32g419-439Group F, star (1640-1) bust 6 [N2231]6.24g, 6.23g, 6.18g, 6.14g, 6.06g, 6.04g, 5.98g, 5.97g, 5.97g, 5.94g, 5.94g, 5.94g, 5.93g, 5.90g, 5.87g, 5.84g, 5.84g, 5.82g, 5.71g, 5.68g, 5.60g440-473Group F, triangle-in-circle (1641-3) bust 6 [N2231]6.32g, 6.20g, 6.18g, 6.14g, 6.13g, 6.12g, 6.10g, 6.09g, 6.09g, 6.08g, 6.07g, 6.06g, 6.05g, 5.99g, 5.99g, 5.99g, 5.96g, 5.96g, 5.94g, 5.93g, 5.90g, 5.89g, 5.86g, 5.85g, 5.85g, 5.83g, 5.82g, 5.81g, 5.73g, 5.72g, 5.64g, 5.57g, 5.52g, 5.47g,474-484Group F, (P) (1643-4) bust 6 [N2231]6.38g, 6.26g, 6.25g, 6.19g, 6.18g, 6.17g, 6.13g, 5.96g, 5.95g, 5.62g, 5.38g485-494Group F, (R) (1644-5) bust 6 [N2231]6.30g, 6.21g, 6.15g, 6.08g, 5.96g, 5.88g, 5.88g, 5.79g, 5.64g, 5.62g495Group F, (P) or (R) bust 6 [N2231]6.15g496-511Group F, uncertain mintmark, bust 6 [N2231]7.33g, 6.28g, 6.27g, 6.18g, 6.17g, 6.17g, 6.07g, 6.05g, 6.05g, 5.97g, 5.96g, 5.94g, 5.86g, 5.85g, 5.72g, 5.33g512-515Group F, uncertain mintmark, bust 6 [N2231 or 2232]6.77g, 6.14g, 6.12g, 6.05g516-523Group F, eye (1645) bust 6 [N2232]6.29g, 6.15g, 6.15g, 6.05g, 6.00g, 6.00g, 5.89g, 5.88g524-527Group F, sun (1645-6) bust 6 [N2232]6.15g, 6.09g, 5.59g, 5.52g528Group F, eye or sun, later bust [N2232]5.79g529-530Group G, sun, bust 7 [N2233]6.07g, 6.06gThomas Bushell's mints (1637-45)531Oxford, 16445.93gSixpence (31)532Group C, plume (1630-1) bust 3 [N2238]2.79g533Group D, harp (1632-3) bust 4 [N2240]2.96g534-537Group D, crown (1635-6) bust 4 [N2241]3.02g, 2.97g, 2.98g, 2.86g538-543Group D, tun (1636-8) bust 4 [N2241]3.07g, 3.02g, 3.00g, 2.99g, 2.96g, 2.95g544-545Group E, tun (1636-8) bust 5 [N2242]3.07g, 2.94g546-553Group E, anchor (1628-9) bust 5 [N2244]3.10g, 2.99g, 2.98g, 2.94g, 2.92g, 2.81g, 2.78g, 2.41g554-555Group F, triangle (1639-40) bust 6 [N2246]2.95g, 2.95g556-558Group F, star (1640-41) bust 6 [N2246]3.06g, 2.90g, 2.78g559-560Group F, star-in-triangle (1641-3) bust 6 [N2246]3.15g, 2.96g561Group F, (P) (1643-4) bust 6 [N2246]3.20g562Group F, (R) (1644-5) bust 6 [N2246]3.27gIRISH COINS (3)Shilling563First coinage (1603-4), bell [S6512]3.98g564First coinage (1603-4), uncertain mintmark [S6512]4.16g565Second coinage (1604-7), escallop [S6515]4.28gSixpence566First coinage (1603-4), bell [S6514]1.87gSCOTTISH COINS (12)James VIGold half sword and sceptre567Eighth coinage (1602) [S5462]2.41gThirty shillings (= 2s 6d. English)568-569Eighth coinage, type II, thistle (one has two thistles) [S5504]14.93g, 14.78gThistle merk570Eighth coinage (1601) [S5497]6.18g571-576Eighth coinage (1602) [S5497]6.42g, 6.32g, 6.31g, 6.28g, 6.18g, 6.13gCharles IThirty shillings (= 2s 6d. English)577-578Third coinage (1637-42) [S5554]15.01g, 14.92gFOREIGN COINS (12)Spanish NetherlandsAlbert and Elisabeth (1598-1621)579Ducaton, Brabant, Anvers, 1619 [H309-1]32.22gPhilip IV (1621-65)580-582Ducaton, type I, Brabant, Anvers, 1633 [H327-1a]32.55g, 32.46g, 32.45g583Ducaton, type I, Brabant, Anvers, 1634 [H327-1a]32.57g584Ducaton, type I, Brabant, Anvers, 1635 [H327-1a]32.43g585Ducaton, type I, Brabant, Anvers, 1636 [H327-1a]32.52g586Ducaton, type II, Brabant, Brussels, 1637 [H327-1b]32.50g587-588Ducaton, type II, Brabant, Brussels, 1638 [H327-1b]32.48g, 32.47g589Ducaton, type II, Brabant, uncertain mint, 1639 [H327-1b-9b]32.58g590Ducaton, type II, Brabant, Brussels, 1640 [H327-1b]32.46gUncertain (1)591Possible shilling2.99g<a title="" href="#_ftnref1">[1]</a> This coin has no inner circle on obverse.