Description |
English penny, 180?. I believe this to be a rendition of St. Patrick the patron saint of Ireland, and an early Nationalist protest of English rule. It's a difficult stamp to attribute as it could also possibly represent the Scottish patron saint, St. Andrew. Both are linked historically to the X-shaped cross or saltire. While the Irish have a long history of this form of protest the Scots do not. The look and placement of the stamp suggests to me an Irish Nationalist issue. The seller, an antiques and collectibles dealer, bought it from a local coin shop several weeks before I acquired it. Neither man could identify the mark. Purchased from Trev Leaman / Brixham, Devon, UK. (Dc. 15, 2017) ($21). |