Crux Pellet coin of James III
When describing this find Damon Ward said: “I know it is a jetton but can’t trace anything similar.” It measures roughly 20mm in diameter and could be mistaken for a jetton but is something altogether different.
The condition isn’t good but if all the detail was visible on the obverse the legend would read IACOBVS DEI GRA REX around what is meant to represent an orb. Set within a quatrefoil on the reverse is a Latin cross and the surrounding legend would read CRVX PELLIT OIE CRIM, which translates as ‘The cross drives away all sin’.
Rather than being a jetton, Damon’s find is a base metal Scottish coin of James III (1460-88). Coins like this used to be known as Crossraguel pennies of Bishop Kennedy but they are now catalogued as Crux Pellet copper coins. There are three types, which are listed in Coins of Scotland, Ireland and the Islands as numbers 5307 to 5311.
As these Scottish coins were made of base metal and date from the 15th century it could be assumed that they would be excessively rare as detecting finds in England. Surprisingly, over the last 25 years I’ve seen no less than four examples that were found in the north of England. They are unlike any English coin of the same period so even though they are coins they were probably used as jettons in England.
Due to its overall condition I can’t pin this coin down to a specific type. However, it is a rare find and even in its present state of preservation it would be of interest to Scottish specialists.
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