The Penny, A Pendant - Replica of the James I Penny Second Coinage 1604 - 1619

As a Shakespeare fanatic I have always been obsessed with the happenings of London at the start of the 1600s. Elizabeth I was an amazing Queen of England and James VI and I (King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland) was where my fascination lay. In becoming the King, Scotland and England became unified under a Scottish King; and as a Scot this has always been a significant moment in my own view of history. "Macbeth", the Scottish play with a fascination with witchcraft and a direct lineage from Banquo to James would never have existed without this new monarch.

We had planned to have the original James I coin set in a coin frame - but at less than 1mm thick it was never going to be possible. So instead, the casting of a pendant began. With a front and back cast made the jeweller carefully added a middle - and from the edge you can see each of the coins and the middle. This made our fabulous master copy which all the pendants are now cast from- creating the most wonderful replica. From there they are hand finished by our jewellers - so each is slightly different in this final process - making yours just for you. Please be aware that the pattern is not very deep - with a coin less than 1mm thick, there was not a huge amount of imprint to work with.

Pennies were a small denomination - 240 of them made up a pound, and they would buy you a loaf of bread, a pint of ale or a ticket to the theatre. For a further penny you could get a seat on a bench and a further penny got you a cushion. So most people voted for the entry (you were called a "Groundling" and a couple of pints of ale.

There was no electricity, few books and most people were illiterate - so an afternoon at the theatre for a three hour production was an excellent source of enjoyment.

Theatres were a way of life - in Southwark, on the edge of the Thames and just outside the jurisdiction of the City of London, was a bustling business - there were bear fighting pits, brothels and four open air theatres that could each hold 3000 people per session, and so much ale to be consumed.

Attending the theatre was interactive - you would shout and cheer, and get involved. Your displeasure or boredom would be clearly displayed in throwing food, jeering and fighting.

This amazing penny could well have been exchanged in this Southwark district for entry to numerous shows, pints of ale and even gambled in those bear pits.

Bearing the rose of England on one side, we love that a theatre was also called The Rose, and then the thistle of James is that momentous moment in British history where after the execution of James’ mother (Mary Queen of Scots) by Elizabeth I (who was also her cousin!), Elizabeth was forced to leave the throne to James.

(We will give you a minute for that all to sink in!).

This James I penny - from his second coinage - was made in the Tower of London at some point between 1604 and 1619. So this very penny might have paid to see a production of one of the 14 productions that happened in this time (for me it is totally "Macbeth"!).

The penny coin features the rose on the front (and this is stronger in its imprint - both in the original and the pendant), beaded circles and the writing I; D; G; ROSA. SINE. SPINA - which translates to "James, by the Grace of God, a rose without a thorn". The reverse features a thistle, (talk about uniting Scotland and England) beaded circles and legend surrounding, TVEATVR. VNITA. DEVS, "May God guard these united." The edges of the coin have worn away over time - so the writing was only have present on the original coin - and it is not possible to read it on the pendant.

Available in Gold and Silver 

In the Sterling Silver option - You can also order this with or without a chain - chains are brand new sterling silver curb chains in two lengths - 45cm or 50cm - they are the chain pictured with the high polish pendant in the "Shakespeare" photos.

In ordering one of these, please allow 3 weeks to have this ready for posting. Also please know that the silver ones will come in the high polished variety, but the patina that you see on some of the pendants will build over time.

Particulars:

Weight between 2.5g and 3.0g for silver and 2.5g for 9ct yellow gold

Coin approx 12.3 mm round - whole pendant approx 12.3 x 19.3 x 1.9mm (including bail) bail opening 4.6 x 3.35mm

Hallmarks - none

Condition - These are replica pendants of the coin - not the original coin. Clear wear to the coin that was from the original. Each pendant hand finished. Patina will build over time - these will arrive in the polished variety.