Coins and the Sea - Life on Board
Britain is a maritime nation that has been shaped by the sea and the same is true about our coinage. Explore highlights from the fourth episode of the Royal Mint Museum's podcast.
Charles II shilling by The Royal Mint and John RoettierThe Royal Mint Museum
Life on board
Whether sailing, trading or something less legitimate, those who lived and worked on the seas expected payment for their labour.
Charles II Shilling
A shilling of Charles II, of the sort that popular misconception suggests might have been dropped in the flagon of an unwitting drinker to press-gang them into the navy.
In truth, the reality of crewing your navy with inexperienced drunkards rendered this a poor, and largely-unused recruitment strategy.
Henry VIII Half-sovereign
Half-sovereigns of this sort were among the coins found on the wreck of the Mary Rose.
Half-sovereigns were only struck from 1544, so the Mary Rose’s sinking in 1545 means those recovered coins would have been among the first of the denomination struck, perhaps taken directly from the Tower to the ship.
Vigo five guinea (1703) by Royal MintThe Royal Mint Museum
Queen Anne Five guineas
This 1703 VIGO Five Guinea Piece of Queen Anne is marked with VIGO below the bust, in reference to England’s victory at Vigo bay and the subsequent recovery of a very small amount of gold and silver to be used for coining.
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