Spent a remarkable afternoon at the @FitzMuseum_UK today looking at a new collection of modern countermarked currency that& #39;s being developed by @Ricardonlund. Among which: this 1797 George III penny countermarked for the Peterloo Massacre—PETERLOO MURDER AUG 16 / HUNT AND LIBERTY
Rich& #39;s work is part of an important @artfund-supported collecting project to develop the Fitz& #39;s collections of modern currency. Some further examples follow below in this thread. Please do share your thoughts, comments and perspectives, which will all be passed on.
A 1912 English penny countermarked for Armistice Day “NOV 11 1918”, and perforated for suspension, probably to be worn.
An 1874 English penny with the head of Victoria ground down and countermarked CETEWAYO (=King Cetshwago kaMpande, who led the Zulu Kingdom to victory against the British in 1879)
This was particularly interesting I thought: a 1969 fifty pence piece countermarked with a “cent” symbol. Anti-decimalisation and anti-Americanism all in one small punched character.
And then there were all the Victorias. Here an 1853 penny with the obverse countermarked with hat, pipe, and “shag for ever”
Queen Victoria transformed by countermarking into a bearded king (anyone got any views on which one/on the crown?)
And then there’s countermarking as advertising: a French Napoleon III coin marked PEARS SOAP, presumably for circulation in Britain.
And this 1969 Northern Irish ten pence piece countermarked with an “&” was presumably a Unionist symbol?
Countermarked Napoleon III coin providing the Emperor with a Prussian helmet, and a dagger through the neck.
A 1943 Vichy France two franc piece, countermarked twice with the Cross of Lorraine on the axe-blades.
I found this one a particularly troubling object—a 1932 twenty-five centimes, countermarked with a swastika.
Finally, Rich has added to this collection three ink-stamped notes from Paula Stevens-Hoare’s series “Notable Women”. Here is the £10 Marie Stopes.
Many congratulations to @Ricardonlund for the really excellent outcomes of this @artfund supported work at the @FitzMuseum_UK so far. Very proud to be involved in this important collecting project. The collecting continues—and a small exhibition at the Fitz is planned for 2020.
If you’ve enjoyed this thread please follow @Ricardonlund and look out for his 2021 exhibition of some of these countermarked coins, and more, at the @FitzMuseum_UK in Cambridge.