To many it is known that William Wood was responsible for the Rosa Americana and Hibernia coinage; The Rosa America for use in the American Colonies, the Hibernia coinage finding its way to the American Colonies because of lack of Irish acceptance. During research, I found that it has been theorized that that William Wood is also attributed for a third series of coinage: Coinage of the Derby Family for the Isle of Man, of which, pence and halfpence were minted. This is according to analysis conducted by Phillip Nelson, and published in 1903. On the obverse of Wood's Derby coins is the motto "SANS CHANGER" (Without Change) with the Derby family crest depicted; pursuant to legend:"Early in the fourteenth century Sir Thomas De Lathom was walking in a wild part of his park with wife, who was childless. In this place, it was said, an eagle had its nest. On coming near this spot they heard the cries of a child, which was found by the servants dressed in rich swaddlling clothes lying in the nest. Sir Thomas, having no family, adopted the heaven-sent child. The child became the heir, and on dying left an only daughter, Isabel, who married Sir John Stanley, who, in memory of the event, took the Eagle and Child as his crest, which has continued the crest of the Derby family to this day."* *The Coinage of William Wood, Nelson, (c)1903, Republished by Durst (c)1989. On the reverse are the words QUOCUNQUE [stop] IECERIS [stop] STABIT, and the Triskelis, armored and spurred, calves flexed, with feet progressing to the right. Patterns of this coinage are dated 1723, 1724, 1725, and 1732 respectively, using copper, silver, and bath metal. Also according to legend, the issued coinage of 1733 was struck on melted cannon by Wood's surviving mint (Wood died in 1730.) That said, it is theorized that the coinage was actually struck and issued sometime after 1733 but before 1758. Of these issues, it is estimated that 132,000 pence and 168,000 halfpence were struck. Pictured is the 1733 No.21 Halfpence that I just recently acquired. A pence specimen is also forthcoming. Comments and input is always appreciated. Thanks, kindly - CheetahCats
The pence specimen arrived today from the U.K. I will be taking photos of it shortly and posting it. As a friendly FYI, more information regarding William Wood's Coinage (including Rosa Americana and Hibernia 1722-1724) can be found at: Chapter IV - Coinage for the Derby Family, For the Isle of Man, pg.33
Great write-up and cool looking coin! I wonder if the eagle design might have been the basis for the design on the Feuchtwanger's cent?
It certainly is a neat similarity or coincidence . Though obviously intended to depict an eagle, I think that the Derby coin looks more like a dragon, myself.
Attached please find pictured is the 1733 Pence that referred to previously. I have not yet successfully attributed it yet. The Nelson documentation published in 1903 is quite scant. As you will find, the pence specimen is of less grade than the halfpence specimen. Thoughts and input appreciated. Thanks, kindly - CheetahCats
