235 



Sixpence. ^ 



Obv. EDWARD VI D G AGL ERA Z HIBER REX. A rOSe at 



one side of the king's head. vi. for sixpence at 

 the other, mm. a mullet pierced, on both sides. 

 Rev. civiTAs EBORACi. Cross and shield. 

 Threepence. '^ 



Obv. EDWARD VI D G AGL FR Z HIB REX. DovicC, the 



same on both sides as the sixpence, except iii. to 

 denote the value. mm. mullet pierced. 



EeV. CIVITAS EBORACI. 



Two specimens of the York pennies of the base coinage 

 of 1551, are in the cabinet of the Yorkshire Philosophical 

 Society:^ — 



Obv. E D G ROSA SINE SPINA. A fuU blown rose. 

 MM. mullet pierced. 



Eev. CIVITAS EBORACI. Cross and shield. 



After the demise of King Edward VI. the practice of coining 

 in the provincial mints entirely ceased, except for a short period 

 during the troubles of King Charles I., and again for the great 

 re-coinage in the reign of King William III. Previously to 

 noticing the operations of the York mint upon these two occa- 

 sions, I will advert to the proceedings which took place at York in 

 consequence of the " wise though unpopular measure " adopted 

 by Queen Elizabeth for the reformation of the base monies issued 

 by her predecessors. 



It was not until nearly two years after her accession that the 

 Queen determined to take this important step. At the begin- 

 ing of the month of September 1560 it was whispered at court 

 that "there was likely to be a calling down of the base monies 

 very shortly, but the Queen had sworn that the day and time 

 should be kept secret to herself, and that few beside should 



1 Ruding, II., 316. Hawk., p. 143. PI. 33, No. 423. 



2 Hawkins, p. 143. PI. 33, No. 424. 



3 MS. Cat., p. 77. Nos. 117, 118. Ruding, Vol. II., p. 316. PI. 10, No. 13. 

 Hawk., p. 143. 



