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Auction: 23005 - The "Haddenham" Collection of English Coins
Lot: 335

The 'Haddenham' Collection of English Coins | William I 'the Conqueror' (1066-1087), (2) 'PAXS' Type, Penny, Colchester, Aelfsi, + PILLEM REX, bust facing crowned and diademed, to right, a sceptre, rev. + AELFSI ON COLECE, cross pattee, in each angle, an annulet containing one letter of the word P A X S, 1.38g, 10h (North 848; BMC VIII; SCBI 29, 0883; Spink 1257), lightly toned, softness to high features of the portrait, bruised edges, fine; and a 'PAXS' Type, Cut Quarter Penny, Derby, [unknown moneyer], + [PILLEM REX], bust facing crowned and diademed, to right, a sceptre, rev. + [...] DRBI, cross pattee, in each angle, an annulet containing one letter of the word P A X S, 0.32g, 12h (North 848; BMC VIII; Spink 1257), dark tone, softness throughout, fine (2)

Provenance

i) T Matthews, by private treaty, 1983 - £162

ii) T Matthews, by private treaty, 1984 - £140

Lawrence Collection

~ Beauworth Hoard

Hampshire Field Club & Archaeological Society, read on 30th May 1912: "On Sunday afternoon, 30th June, 1833, four boys, all under 10 years of age, were playing at marbles in what was then a small piece of pasture land, when one of them discovered in the track where a wagon wheel had passed, a piece of lead sticking out above the surface. On stooping down to take hold of it he discovered a small hole into which he thrust his hand and brought out a number of coins. His companions followed his example. Though they did not consider their treasure to be more than old buttons, they concealed a part of them in an adjoining potato field and others they took into the village, but treating them as of no value some they flung into a pond and others they flung about the road. Half-adozen villagers were soon attracted to the spot and commenced a regular scramble for the booty. As some obtained more than others the parents of the boys were dissatisfied and appealed to Mr. Dunn, of Alresford, the owner of the land. This gentleman claimed from the parties the delivery of the coins to him, which was in a measure complied with, and the same evening Mr. Dunn received about 6,500 coins. The leaden box was much mutilated by the eagerness of the people to possess the coins. Apparently it was enclosed in a wooden
box, which had all perished except its iron handle. According to the account the coins were packed in regular layers, but the box was not full. About 100 are known to have been sold by a woman to a person in Southampton. The owner distributed the amount he received for them amongst various
charities and rewarded the finders.



Such is the version of the story given by the late Mr. Hawkins, of the British Museum, in February, 1834. He examined, he tells us, 6,500 of the coins and found them all except about 100 to be specimens of the " Paxs " type of the Conqueror's pennies which were his last issue, a coin previously almost unknown."



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Sold for
£800

Starting price
£100