22 
COINS. 
goldsmiths named Sibert and John from Cologne (Colonial, and 
two moneyers named Lawrence and Bonache from Florence, came 
to York and were admitted to the freedom of the city. 
In 1353, Henry de Brussels, who had previously been the King’s 
mint master at Calais, was made master of the works of the King’s 
moneyers at York; and William de Rockewell, the warden of the 
Tower mint, was commanded to deliver to him for the use of the 
York mint, six standards and eighteen tressels for making the 
King’s money of the die called the gross ; four standards and 
twelve tressels for the half-gross ; and three standards and twelve 
tressels for sterlings. William Hunt was appointed keeper of the 
exchange at York and was to receive I2d. per day, provided he 
accounts to the King for the profits arising from the said exchange. 
Edward III. issued a mandate to the Sheriff of Yorkshire stating 
it to be the King’s pleasure that the money struck from gold and 
silver dies in the Castle of York should be made in the same 
manner as at the mint in the Tower of London ; and that Henry 
de Brussells, the master of the Tower mint, and William Hunt, 
keeper of the exchange in the city of York, were authorised to 
put into repair and, if necessary, rebuild the houses for the works 
of the mint in the Castle of York which stood in need of repair ; 
and requiring the Sheriff to assign to the same officers, houses and 
places within the Castle of York suitable for the purposes of the 
mint and also a strong house in the same castle in which they 
could keep securely the said money. In the 28th and 29th years 
of Edward III. the value of the silver bullion coined at York 
amounted to £^1892 5s. gd. 
Groats and half groats were added to the coinage of the York 
mint, which previously issued silver pennies, halfpennies and 
farthings. Additional titles to the King’s name were given on the 
groat and half groat as D G (Dei Gratia) and King of France. 
An inner circle appeared on the reverse and contained the mint 
name, whilst on the outer circle was the motto, “ Posvi Deum 
Adjutorem Meum ” (I have made God my helper). 
The gold coinage of Edward III. consisted of florin, half florin, 
and quarter florin. The florin was withdrawn and gave place to 
the noble, half noble, and quarter noble. The noble, a beautiful 
coin, depicts the King, with sword and shield, standing on a ship. 
The ransom of David Bruce was paid by instalments during 
several years towards the close of the reign of Edward III. The 
instalments, usually 4000 or 6000 marks, were paid to the Sheriff 
