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Spent a remarkable afternoon at the @FitzMuseum_UK today looking at a new collection of modern countermarked currency that'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's work is part of an important @artfund-supported collecting project to develop the Fitz'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.
1938 British penny countermarked with a Hammer and Sickle and a “V” (presumably for Victory).
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)
Two 1937 English pennies countermarked with small punched swastikas.
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.
Also this 1968 ten pence piece countermarked “2 Shilling”.
A 2012 two pence piece countermarked PEOPLES’ VOTE
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?)
More countermarked Victorias—here in ?Salvation Army bonnet.
A countermarked 1908 Edward VII penny providing the King with hat and cigar.
George V coin countermarked with the words KING FOOLY.
And then there’s countermarking as advertising: a French Napoleon III coin marked PEARS SOAP, presumably for circulation in Britain.
—and TILLEY’S COALS BRIGHTON.
And then there’s countermarking in and about Ireland.
A George V penny countermarked NO ENGLISH RULE
1970s English penny countermarked SMASH H BLOCK
Northern Irish ten pence pieces countermarked UVF.
And this 1969 Northern Irish ten pence piece countermarked with an “&” was presumably a Unionist symbol?
Some more examples of the UVF countermarking.
A 1969 fifty pence piece countermarked “IRA”
Meanwhile — an 1856 Napoleon III coin provided with a helmet.
A few more 1970s Irish examples of political countermarking.
Countermarked Napoleon III coin providing the Emperor with a Prussian helmet, and a dagger through the neck.
Some more countermarked, helmeted Napoleon IIIs.
Countermarked coins of Napoleon III marking his defeat and capture at the Battle of Sedan (1870).
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.
Countermarked 1928 Austrian groschen, obverse and reverse. #neveragain
Louis XVI coin polished down and countermarked VIVA QUEBEC.
A 1900 English penny countermarked MAFEKING.
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.
And the £20 Rosalind Franklin
And lastly the £50 Sarah Guppy and Tilly Shilling.
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.
