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The E-Sylum:  Volume 4, Number 28, July 8, 2001, Article 9

SHAKESPEARE'S  NUMISMATIC MIXUPS 

   In response to our earlier topic of movie money mixups, 
   Ron Haller-Williams reminds us that numismatic bloopers 
   have been with us for far longer than movies have been 
   around.  He writes:  "Did you know that Shakespeare was 
   as bad as any? 

   In his "Henry the Fift[h]" (1598/9), the eponymous English 
   King says, just before the battle of Agincourt (25th 
   October 1415): 

       ... He which hath no stomach for this fight, 
       Let him depart; his passport shall be made, 
       and crowns for convoy put into his purse". 
       [Act 4 scene 3] 

   Of course, English crowns were not produced until 1526, 
   though admittedly the French "écu d'or" or "écu à la 
   couronne" was introduced in the reign of Charles VI (1380- 
   1422) -  unfortunately undated, like most coins of that era! 

   But since the objective of the expedition is portrayed as 
   being Henry's attempt to gain the French throne, and some 
   coins of France were issued in his name, though in parallel 
   with coins of his now father-in-law and doubtless rival 
   Charles VI, it is unlikely that the Henry and his forces 
   would have troubled to exchange their money for French 
   currency! 

   Later in the same play [Act 4 scene 8] he asks his 
   "uncle Exeter, fill this glove with crowns, And give it to 
   this fellow". 

   Later in the same scene, Fluellen, captain of the Welsh 
   guard, says to this same recipient, named Will, to whom 
   he is now trying to give a further "twelve pence": 
   "... 'tis a good silling, I warrant you, or I'll change it." 
   Shillings were not produced until 1502. 

   The use of this (and a groat in act 5 scene 1) tend to 
   confirm that the English forces were almost certainly 
   not using French money, at least among themselves!" 

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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