34 Dr. Smith on the Irish Coins of Edward the Fourth. 



indubitable evidences of a fact, the account of which has been imperfectly re- 

 corded by historians. Figs. 79 and 81 are peculiar in having the border of the 

 shield formed of small pellets, instead of plain lines, and the former has a fleur 

 de lis before the v?ord rex ; the only instance in which I have found this mint- 

 mark on the groats without the Fitzgerald arms. 



Some of these pieces are what are termed mules in numismatic language, e. g. 

 the obverses of 78 and 80 are different, while their reverses are from the same 

 die, as is evident from the blundered b in Hybernie.* 



The many varieties, both in type and legends, which occur on the half- 

 groats, require some notice. Of the six I have published, only one agrees in 

 type with the groats of the first variety, and it is remarkable for having i instead 

 of Y in Hibernie (fig. 88). The same peculiarity occurs on the penny, (fig. 93,) 

 and I have seen a groat which corresponds in this particular with these two 

 pieces. 



Only one half-groat, bearing the Fitzgerald arms, is known, and it has the 

 word DOMiNOs on each side (fig. 92.) 



The obverse of 87 and 89 corresponds with the groats of the first variety, 

 while the reverse of each of them bears the cross with the annulets, and the plain 

 circle, which, with the legend domins vbe on the latter, identify them with the 

 Fitzgerald type. 



The former was struck at Dublin, and I do not know of any groat of this 

 type from the same mint. 



Figs. 90 and 91, although they have not the Fitzgerald arms on them, do, I 

 presume, properly belong to the second variety of this coinage. The former 

 bears a very close resemblance, in some particulars, to the groat, fig. 84. 



Mr. Lindsay remarks, that "the half-groat has sometimes the initial of 



* A curious fact may be learned from these two pieces, respecting the manner in which the 

 letters were made on the die. They were formed with punches, or steel types, as is practised at the 

 present time, for the artist manifestly put in the letter E by mistake, and to cover his blunder, he 

 afterwards punched over it the letter B. Other instances in support of this opinion may be adduced, 

 when, for instance, the artist substituted the reversed b for E, (PI. IV. fig. 70,) and occasionally 

 the letter l is represented in an ingenious manner by a double i, as in figs. 82 and 83. Such blun- 

 ders, especially the latter, could scarcely happen had the artist used a graver, or cutting tool of 

 any kind, in forming the letters. 



