Anglo-Saxon Counterfeits. Fakes, Forgeries & Facsimiles A.D. 600-1066. Tony Abramson. x + 205pp, with over 3000 illus throughout. Anglo-Saxon-Coins, 2012. Paperback, £29.99.
Collectors, especially new ones, have it drummed into them: ‘Buy the book before you buy the coin’, and nowhere is it truer than here with Tony Abramson’s new book if you are interested in or collect Anglo-Saxon coins. It is a series that can be very difficult to research, the literature is continually expanding with new interpretations, new coins being found and there is the added difficulty of contemporary Viking copies, let alone new moneyers. Reported metal detector finds via the Treasure Act (1996) or the Portable Antiquities Scheme have added considerably to our knowledge. All that being said, don’t be put off if you are considering taking up collecting Anglo-Saxon coins or, if you already do – whichever it is, you will need to have your own copy of this remarkable book.
Tony Abramson is well known in the numismatic world for his many extremely useful publications, but the reviewer feels that with this incredible ground-breaking piece of research and compilation, he has surpassed himself. The relative obscurity of many of the Anglo-Saxon issues has lent itself to the wily forger’s skill over the last 200 years. The book falls into two parts, the first the extremely informative text, and the second the detailed listing and illustrations of the catalogue.
The first part sets out the ‘stall’ – noting the problems inherent in collecting and illustrating the coins, and the lack of die alignments in the catalogue, but this is negligible in relation to the whole. There are useful discussions of identification and restitution (here note also the ‘Object Lesson’ on the inside back cover), and scientific investigation. Some coins are listed where they had been initially condemned and then subsequently reinstated when new evidence has been found. Particularly interesting are the two chapters on the well known early forgers John White and Edward Emery and their products. John White even contributed three plates of Anglo-Saxon coins to Withy and Ryall’s Twelve Plates of English Silver Coins (1756), including amongst them some of his own products and thereby substantially damaging the value of the work – those three plates are reproduced here. Modern productions by Grunal the Moneyer (David Greenhalgh), are not meant to deceive but to educate and his research into original die manufacture is invaluable. He is also a respected expert on medieval hammered coins, principally groats. Two case studies complete the first part of the book: ‘An Alleged Miscreant of the 21st Century’ (Michael Hibbs), and ‘A Convicted Miscreant of the 21st Century’ (David Hutchings, sentenced to six months imprisonment on five counts of fraud).
The second part is the extensive catalogue of the fakes (pp.30-197). Beginning with thrymas and sceats, the sequence of coins then follows geographical through Middle Anglo-Saxon and the Kings of All England, with finally Late Anglo-Saxon. Each entry is arranged by Spink number, giving the monarch, type and moneyer, any sources or references, and the counterfeit is illustrated together with, where possible, the genuine original. Short relevant notes are added, and size and weights where known. Some ‘Candidates for Reinstatement’ are noted and finally an ‘Index to Spink References’, noting monarch and general type. A select Bibliography completes the book.
There can be little doubt that every museum curator, collector or student of the Anglo-Saxon series must have this book. It is absolutely first class and can only be added to as more finds are made and further research clears up some of the many problems that can bedevil this series.
Peter A. Clayton