156 THE TAMWORTH TREASURE TROVE. 



The castrametation before alluded to is supposed to be of Saxon 

 origin, but, with a view of further proving the question, some membex'S 

 of the Tamworth Natural History, Geological, and Antiquarian Society 

 sunk a shaft in a mound in the north-eastern angle, the result of their 

 efforts being somewhat indecisive. In the same field, however, but a 

 short distance off, one of the workmen engaged in excavating for the 

 foundation of a wall in connection with the new schools, turned up with 

 his pick the leaden casket containing the coins. I had timely inform- 

 ation of the discovery, and was fortunately enabled to rescue this 

 valuable " find " from dispersion. 



The casket, of which a representation is given, (through the kindness 

 of Mr. B. V. Head, of the British Museum,) was formed of a piece of 

 beaten lead, turned over on three sides, something hke a "turn-over 

 tart," and, on being opened, was found to contain 294 silver pennies of 

 the reigns of WiUiam I. or WiUiam n. These were afterwards taken 

 to London by the Vicar of Tamworth, the Eev. Brooke Lambert, and 

 delivered up as " Treasure Trove." The authorities of the British 

 Museum selected 103 for the National Collection, 41 were appropriated 

 by the Koyal Mint, and the remainder returned to Tamworth. 



The coins were of four distinct types, Hawkins 242, 244, 245, (three 

 coins only,) and 246. No. 242 is the well known "paxs" type 

 usually attributed to WiUiam the Conqueror — the obverse, head, full faced, 

 bust extending to edge of the coin, right hand bearing a sceptre is crossed 

 over the bust, so that the sceptre appears on the right of the coin the proper 

 left of the figure, sceptre has a cross pate at the top, the shaft fohated, on 

 the head a crown with labels or " ear drops, " over the right shoulder 

 three mullets, inscription PILLELM EEX. Keverse, cross potent, a 

 small circle in each of the quadrants, one letter of the word P. A. X. S. 

 in each circle ; circumscribed is the moneyer's name and place of mintage. 



The second type of coin, Hawkins 244, has the head in profile looking 

 to the right, sword in right hand, mullets on each shoulder, bust extending 

 to edge, inscription as before. Eeverse, cross _pofewi with fleur-de-lis in 

 the quadrants, moneyer's name and place of mintage. 



The third type, Hawkins 245, (three coins only,) I had not noticed 

 before the collection left my hands. 



The fourth type, Hawkins 246. Head full faced and crowned, 

 labels at the ears, sword in right hand on proper right of figure, loft side 

 of coin, mullet on left shoulder, bust extending to edge, inscrij^tion as 

 before. Reverse, cross ^joft'/fi in a compartment formed by four semi-circles 

 having pellets at the intersections, moneyer's name and place of mintage. 



The greatest interest is attached to the moneyer's name and places 

 of coinage. No less than 42 to\vns are represented in the Tamworth 

 find. In explanation of this it may be as well to mention that the Saxon 

 Kings granted the privilege of coining to their subjects, and this custom 

 was continued through the Norman period. Canterbui-y had seven 

 mints, London eight, Rochester three, Winchester six, Lewes, Hastings, 

 Wareham, Exeter, Shaftesbury, and Hampton each two, and in every 

 good town one coiner, the stamp being provided by the King. The 



