^RIEF HISTORICAL ACCOUNT 



Coinage of 



1 N our view of the Medallic* History of Staffordshire, we shall, 

 for obvious reasons, commence with the County town of 



STAFFORD; 



although, within the district to which it gives name, there is one 

 other place to which, in respect to the priority of the enjoyment 

 of the valuable and distinguishing privilege of mintage, it must ne- 

 cessarily concede, viz. Tamworth. 



From the discoveries hitherto made, and the historical docu- 

 ments yet existing, it does not appear that the town of Stafford 

 enjoyed the honour of coinage till the time of William the Con- 

 queror. That a mint was established there, during his reign, is in- 

 disputably evident from three different specimens of his money 



* It is somewhat remarkable, that among the very numerous and valuable 

 County and Local Histories which have hitherto been presented to the British 

 public, there is scarcely one, which, however complete and satisfactory in all 

 other points, is not defective in information respecting that ancient and import- 

 ant privilege of Royalty, (the grant of Mints. Bearing this deficiency in re- 

 collection, and, anxious as we are to render our labours as worthy as we can of 

 the public eye, we feel much pleasure in laying before our readers the follow- 

 ing account of the several Coinages, both ancient and modern, which have 

 originated in this County ; which, though perhaps it may in this respect yield 

 to some others, is nevertheless entitled to distinguished notice among them. 

 Aud this account we submit with the greater confidence, (and consequently with 

 the greater pleasure) as it proceeds from the pen of a Gentleman, who for 

 many years has made the study of ancient English Coins and Medals his 

 favourite pursuit; and whose judgment in this department of our National An- 

 tiquities has been repeatedly acknowledged by the most skilful nunwsinatk 

 Connoisseurs,---E-, 



