In the 21st century we expect the making and distribution of coins to be surrounded by high security. Archaeologists were puzzled, therefore, to uncover objects associated with coin minting from the floors of two simple 10th century post-and-wattle buildings in York.
These buildings were occupied by metalworkers making everyday objects, jewellery and dress accessories from iron, silver, lead, tin and copper. Amongst the debris from this production were two coin dies and some lead trial pieces of mid 10th century date.
Coin dies are used in pairs to produce the impressions on both sides of each coin. A metal disc (usually silver) is placed on the bottom die, the upper one is positioned over it and hit hard with a hammer — and the coin is made. Possession of coin dies, therefore, is a licence to print money.
Lead trial pieces:
find number 1980.7, 11133, catalogue number 48, width 21mm; find number
1980.7, 563, catalogue number 50, diameter 30mm; find number 1979.7, 4622,
catalogue number 59, length 153mm, width 44mm, thickness 1–2mm.
Iron coin dies:
find number 1981.7, 13993, catalogue number 49, diameter of face 30mm,
diameter of die 22mm; find number 1980.7, 9351, catalogue number 43, diameter
of face 28mm, diameter of die 20mm.
For more information see The
Archaeology of York 18/1, Post-Roman Coins from York Excavations 1971–81
by E.J.E. Pirie.
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