England, James I silver halfpence
Date1604-1619
Maker
Tower of London Mint
OriginEngland, London
MediumSilver
DimensionsDiameter: 11 mm
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number2010-21
Label TextIn 17th century England, even the lowest denomination was made from silver, resulting in this tiny, pea-sized piece, the smallest coin in Colonial Williamsburg's collection. Certainly easy to lose, archaeologists recovered a lost specimen during recent excavations at Jamestown. Jamestown's royal namesake wore two crowns, that of King James I of England and King James VI of Scotland. Only struck during his reign, one side bears the English rose while the other carries the Scottish thistle, in allusion to the dual monarchy.
Tower of London Mint
1773 (host coin); 1790-1820 (counterstamp)
