237 



In the month of April 1561 the stamping irons were returned 

 to the London mint, Avith the following letter : — 



To the Right worshipful Mr. Thomas Stanley Esquire 

 Treasurer of the Q. Majesty's Mint at London^ give 

 these. 



Eight Worshipful : after our hearty commendations these may 

 be to advertise you that where we lately received at the hands 

 of William Patten esquire Receiver General to the Q. Majesty 

 in Yorkshire one bag of canvas sealed having this word, York, 

 written on the outside of the said bag, together with three dozen 

 stamping irons in the same contained, that is to say, twenty-four 

 of the mark of portcullis and twelve residue of the greyhound, 

 which we have ever since from time to time as occasion required 

 used and occupied according to the tenor of the Q. Majesty's 

 letter under her Grace's signet to us in that behalf directed. 

 And now seeing there is no more need of the use of any of the 

 said irons we have caused them to be sealed up again in the 

 said canvas bag, and sent unto your mastership by our honest 

 neighbour bearer hereof according as in the said letter is given 

 us in commandment, desiring your good mastership to deliver 

 him some billet of remembrance for the receipt of the same 

 accordingly for our discharge. And thus Almighty God 

 preserve you in much worship with good health. 



From York the xiijth of April, 1561. 

 Your friends to their power 



Parsyvall Craforth, Mayor of York and his 

 brethren aldermen of the same. 



2. Same legend, m. m. a rose, Conntennarked with a greyhound behind 

 the king's head. 

 There can be no doubt, I think, that these coins are the testoons decried by the 

 proclamation of Queen Elizabeth. "The lady Elizabeth now our most gracious 

 queen," says Harrison in his Description of Britaine, " utterly abolished the use 

 of copper coin and converted the same into fine silver, as peeces of halipeny 

 fardyng, of a peny, of three half pens, peeces, of twoopencc, of three pence, of four 

 pence (called y* groate) of sixc pence usually named the tesione, and shilling of 

 twelve pence, whereon she hath imprinted hir owne ymage and emphaticall super- 

 scription." Holinshcd. Ed. 1577, p. 117. 



