Coins and Historical Medals

Charles I (1625-1649), Worcester or Shrewsbury/Salopia mint, Threepence, mm. lis, rev. oval scroll-garnished shield, 1.26g/8h (SCBI Brooker 1177; N 2624; S 3117). Pierced with a crease to left of king’s head, otherwise about very fine £120-£150

A disproportionate number of Worcester Groats and Threepences are found holed. The large size and careful execution of the piercings suggest they were contemporary and that the coins were given as presentation pieces to soldiers, perhaps to be worn in the same way as a Royalist badge – a practice not seen elsewhere