Engraved memorial coin: Charles I Truro Mint Crown for Nicholas & Rachel Greene

Charles I (1625-49), silver Crown, Truro Mint (1642-43) initial mark rose, engraved both sides around and across the design area, in celebration of the lives of Nicholas and Rachel Greene, obverse with "RACHEL GREENE." surrounding upper inner half over two horizontal lines "Died Oct. 8. / 1780" with "AGED, 69." completing circuit of wording below, rev. worded in a similar fashion "NICHOLAS GREENE." around upper inner half, three lines of horizontal text "GENT. / Died Oct. 22. / 1771" with "AGED, 61." completing circuit of wording below, weight 26.96g (Reference for host coin, Besly A1; Brooker 1008; N.2531; S.3045). Host coin worn perhaps purposefully before the engraving, toned mediocre, the engraving clear, sharp and of a charming style, an unusual keepsake of a two18^th century lives worthy of further genealogical research, very rare on a senior denomination.

The fact this engraving is on a silver Crown is very unusual as Five Shillings was a lot of money in the 18^th Century. The fact the inscriptions are engraved on a hammered silver coin at this time is also unusual and maybe the Truro Mint host coin meant something to the geographical location of where this couple lived their lives. Nicholas Greene was clearly a "Gentleman" and therefore of some means, internet searching did bring up a "Gentleman" called Nicholas Greene of Falmouth not too far from Truro but that was for a will being proved at an earlier time some 11 years before the death of Nicholas Greene of this coin. The hammered silver coinage had been recalled from circulation in 1695-96 period so this coin was kept back for some 75 years before it became this engraved keepsake of the lives of this couple. Such a coin would no doubt be of the upmost interest to any descendants of this couple today if a genealogical trail can be discovered.

Provenance:

Ex the late David McDonald, rare coins and maps, Westminster, Maryland, USA.

Ex Spink Numismatic Circular, August 2001, item MS1829.

Ex Dix Noonan and Webb, 20^th June 2001, lot 420.