Casgliadau Arlein

Silver coin disc brooch fashioned from a groat of King Edward I, 1272-1307. On the reverse, the side visible when worn, are five collets-one central, the others evenly spaced round the rim, at 12 o' clock, etc, as viewed, in varying stated of presevation; these presumably originally held glass, enamel or coloured stones, though none survives and no remains of adhesive material have been detected. The brooch does not appear to have been cleaned but this face appears to have been gilded. On the obverse are the fragmentary remains of applied hing and catch-plate.

The coin is classified as variety D-the forth of seven-by North (1989, pp. 4-8 and pl. 1-2). These coins were issued in 1280-1, the first time a silver coin larger than a penny was issued by a king in England. The issue was soon discontinued and groats did not re-appear until 1351, when they became establishd as a regular part of the currency of England.