RMW Collection

[rmw]

Another tin piece

 

This is a James II farthing of 1685.

 

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[RWB]

I've forgotten....what was the justification for tin?

[rmw]

At the time there was no reliable way to test copper for impurities and so tin was used briefly as an alternative. This was also a way to subsidize the tin mines in Cornwall, southwest England. The King, who was also Duke of Cornwall, was losing money on the tin ventures and this was a way to raise the price if the commodity by increasing demand.

Counterfeiting was also prevalent during this period and the production of tin pieces, with a copper plug in the middle, was virtually impossible for others to copy.

However the tin pieces proved to be less than durable themselves and the public turned against them and so the tin coinage was discontinued with the ouster of James II in the Glorious Revolution of 1688.

[rmw]

I dont know why I thought that tin coinage was discontinued with James II in 1688 as I have examples of farthing and halfpenny from the following reign, of William and Mary.So tin pieces were produced dated 1692, but that was the last date I am aware of.