Medievals: A Tale of Two Gigliati (poll)

"but in a medieval coin context, "clipping" refers to the practice of people shaving metal off the edges of precious-metal coins, to save a bit of the silver or gold for illegal gain."

True, but there is quite a lot more to say - and the situation gets complicated.

There was a spate of clipping of gold in Yorkshire in the later 18th century which was widely debated in the radical press at the time. It has been plausibly argued that manufucturers were seeking a tax rebate - due to a slump in trade - and got it by taking the matter into their own hands.

I also recall seeing a claim that earlier, international moniers expected to pay for their minting services by clipping the old coin themselves - after it was called in - (down to some pre-agreed low standard) - and turning down contracts where the stuff in circulation turned out to be already too heavily clipped to yield a profit.

 

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If you have to choose between the two coins, B is the one. So I voted B. Having said that, for your collection and budgetary constraints I would probably pass on both and wait for a different opportunity.

 

Ha! -I think the basic thing about money is that it is always going to get complicated. How are rich guys going to get rich if its kept simple?