2] A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



preserved in the Cabinet of llie writer of this article, all in the 

 highest state of preservation, and of extreme rarity. Of these, th 

 first exhibits on the obverse, or head-side, a profile portrait oi th;; 

 Conqueror looking 1 to the right, and in tlie same hand a sceptn , 

 and is inscribed WILLEM VS.* REX, A. (for An ^lonim.) Thy re- 

 verse has a SL George's cross of double lines extending- to the 

 inner circle, with two small crescents attached to each of the lines 

 at the extremity, and a pellet between them. In the centre also is 

 a pellet within an amulet. A quadrilateral compartment formed of 

 semi-circles, and surmounted at each junction by a pellet, termi- 

 nates in each quarter formed by the double Cross, and at equal 

 distance from each of its limbs. Round the coin, on this side, is 

 r-'ad GODWINNE ON STEF, denoting that the piece was struck 

 by Godwinne, the King's moneyer in Stafford ; the word ON in the 

 Saxon language signifying "In." This coin is extremely rare, 

 and has never yet been engraven in any numismatic work. 



The second of the above-mentioned pennies differs considerably 

 from that which has been just described. On this, the Conqueror 

 appears full-faced, crowned, and with labels appendant to the ears. 

 The inscription runs WiLLEMV REX. The type of the reverse 

 is the same in all respects as that of the foregoing coin; but the 

 inscription is somewhat more full, it being GODWINS ON STEF- 

 FOR. The third of the pennies alluded to is, on the obverse, pre- 

 cisely similar to the last, excepting that it has, after the word REX 

 an I ;but whether this be intended to signify that he was the first So- 

 vereign of England of that name, or is a part of the letter A, (the 

 abbreviation of Anglite,} is a point yet undetermined by medallic 

 connoisseurs ; although it is believed the greater part of them in- 

 cline to the latter opinion. The reverse is similar to that of the 

 two former coins; but the piece, as appears from the inscription, 

 was the production of a different mint-master, being inscribed 

 WVLFNOTH ON STEF. 



A fourth coin of the Conqueror, struck at Stafford, with a reverse 

 considerably different from those of the pieces already described, 

 was some years ago in the splendid collection of the late S. Tys 

 ^en, esq. of Narborongh Hall, Norfolk ; but as we have neve 

 seen either the coin itself, or any engraving of it, we arc unable to 

 give an account of it, 



* Asllie information conveyed in this article is designed for a popular work, 

 and not for live Medallist only, I have written the Conqueror's name WILLK- 

 MVS instead of PILLEMVS, (employing the Woman W for the Saxon [), 

 from the idea that it would be far better uuderstot 'J.~~ >v. w. 



