W. C a r e w H a z l i t t Coinage of the European Continent
W. C a r e w H a z l i t t Coinage of the European Continent W. C a r e w H a z l i t t Coinage of the European Continent
2 The Coins of Europe was a postulate to a moderate extent ; in one or two instances it was peremptory. But for better and worse, under some or other circumstances, the taste and ardour for the British coins from the earliest period to the present time patterns and proofs included arose, and have been hitherto fairly maintained by a succession of students or amateurs. The motive was perhaps patriotic ; and it is not to be gainsaid that within those lines are to be found many numismatic productions alike of interest and merit, particularly among the Anglo- Saxon pennies, the Tudor money, the Scotish coins of Mary and her father, and of Charles I., and the chefs d'ceuvre of Briot, Simon, Rawlins, Blondeau, and Wyon. Retrospectively, the English coinage, extending over about twenty centuries (if we comprise the British money), will bear comparison with that of other countries, period by period but ; it must be recollected that it was in some important aspects indebted to external influences. Offa, King of Mercia, is reputed to have employed Italian workmen ; the pennies of Edward the Confessor and his Norman successor, in their diversity and execution, betray a superior hand and the ; names of some of the most prominent English moneyers, Briot, Blondeau, Roettier, Pistrucci, Droz, are the names of foreigners. 1 Nor do we certainly know that the florin and noble of Edward III. were the product of native artists. So far as probability will carry us we should say that they were not. There can be little doubt that Northern Germany or Northern Holland was the source from which the moneyer, in common with the printer and engraver, originally derived his inspiration. Hence it was that, as learning and science revived, and commerce and maritime adventure extended, the barbarous and meagre productions of the imitators of Roman and Byzantine work were replaced by numismatic efforts of an independent and characteristic type, and that Europe was furnished with trading tokens (inonetce) adapted 1 See also Nicholas Tyery's Proposals to Henry the Eighth for an Irish Coinage, inserted in a MS. French Handbook of the year 1526. 8vo, Cambridge, 1886. With illustrations of the coins.
Introduction 3 to the wants, feelings, and traditions of the communities into which it was apportioned. The waves of Dutch and German influence spread in all directions and the British ; Isles, from their geographical position, and successive occupiers or colonists, were peculiarly liable to the reception of foreign suggestions from all quarters. Perhaps the utmost that is capable of being urged in favour of the English series of coins is that they are English. Of the hands which made them we know, on the whole, too little to warrant us in going much farther. The titles which the coins of the European continent have to our attention and regard are indeed strong and manifold. That immense and extraordinary series contributes, in a degree only to be appreciated on a more or less intimate acquaintance, to the illustration both of the public and inner life of a section of the globe which has been infinitely more fruitful than any other in its achievements and triumphs for the cause of human knowledge, progress, and happiness. From the thirteenth century, when the English currency had sensibly declined from the earlier Norman standard, the mints of Central Europe and the Low Countries were yielding an inexhaustible store of types remarkable for invention and variety no less than for their harmony with the atmosphere and costume of the country of origin. A study of continental money of the mediaeval and more modern eras admits us to an insight into innumerable points connected with political vicissitudes and changes, religious aspirations and peculiarities, and social episodes, for which we might vainly look elsewhere. The historian, the artist, the philosopher, and the portrayer of sentiments and usages, possess here a field of research even now very imperfectly explored and utilised. We ought to be thankful for the light which is shed on features of bygone life throughout an entire continent by thousands on thousands of these monuments, each in its portrait, its legend, its motto, its name, its very shape and material, telling some story of the ages.
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- Page 11 and 12: THE COINAGE OF THE EUROPEAN CONTINE
- Page 13 and 14: PREFACE IT is hoped that the follow
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- Page 17 and 18: Table of Contents xi DESCRIPTIVE OU
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- Page 23 and 24: List of Illustrations xvii' PAGE 33
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Introduction 3<br />
to <strong>the</strong> wants, feelings, and traditions <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> communities into<br />
which it was apportioned. The waves <strong>of</strong> Dutch and German<br />
influence spread in all directions and <strong>the</strong> British<br />
; Isles, from<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir geographical position, and successive occupiers or<br />
colonists, were peculiarly liable to <strong>the</strong> reception <strong>of</strong> foreign<br />
suggestions from all quarters. Perhaps <strong>the</strong> utmost that is<br />
capable <strong>of</strong> being urged in favour <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> English series <strong>of</strong><br />
coins is that <strong>the</strong>y are English. Of <strong>the</strong> hands which made<br />
<strong>the</strong>m we know, on <strong>the</strong> whole, too little to warrant us in going<br />
much far<strong>the</strong>r.<br />
The titles which <strong>the</strong> coins <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>European</strong> continent<br />
have to our attention and regard are indeed strong and<br />
manifold. That immense and extraordinary series contributes,<br />
in a degree only to be appreciated on a more or less<br />
intimate acquaintance, to <strong>the</strong> illustration both <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> public<br />
and inner life <strong>of</strong> a section <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> globe which has been<br />
infinitely more fruitful than any o<strong>the</strong>r in its achievements<br />
and triumphs for <strong>the</strong> cause <strong>of</strong> human knowledge, progress,<br />
and happiness. From <strong>the</strong> thirteenth century, when <strong>the</strong><br />
English currency had sensibly declined from <strong>the</strong> earlier<br />
Norman standard, <strong>the</strong> mints <strong>of</strong> Central Europe and <strong>the</strong> Low<br />
Countries were yielding an inexhaustible store <strong>of</strong> types<br />
remarkable for invention and variety no less than for <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
harmony with <strong>the</strong> atmosphere and costume <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> country<br />
<strong>of</strong> origin. A study <strong>of</strong> continental money <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> mediaeval<br />
and more modern eras admits us to an insight into innumerable<br />
points connected with political vicissitudes and changes,<br />
religious aspirations and peculiarities, and social episodes, for<br />
which we might vainly look elsewhere. The historian, <strong>the</strong><br />
artist, <strong>the</strong> philosopher, and <strong>the</strong> portrayer <strong>of</strong> sentiments and<br />
usages, possess here a field <strong>of</strong> research even now very imperfectly<br />
explored and utilised. We ought to be thankful for<br />
<strong>the</strong> light which is shed on features <strong>of</strong> bygone life throughout<br />
an entire continent by thousands on thousands <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se<br />
monuments, each in its portrait, its legend, its motto, its<br />
name, its very shape and material, telling some story <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> ages.
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