Old Sails: French Galleon is one the best Ships on Coins

Today we have a beautiful ship to consider: a French Galleon from the early seventeenth century.

This fully rigged ship is near shore with sails furled. The waters are calm with swirls of splashing against the hull. The hull is boldly blanked with gun ports (or big nails) showing. The aft castle is commanding, perhaps ostentatious -- this is a grand vessel for sure. A French shield with three lis is set above the mainland, reminding us that we are in French waters.

This is municipal jeton of Ville de Paris. The ship represents the arms of the city. It was produced during the reign of Henry IV (1589-1610) and is cataloged in Mitchner as 3389b; sadly, it is not pictured.

The legend on the reverse (ship side) reads: HIC VERTEX NOBIS SEMPER SUBLIMIS. This is a quote from Latin poet Virgil. He wrote this line in about 29BC in his first book (four in all) of Georgica. This line (#242) has been translated in various ways to mean: “The one pole to us is still elevated.” Basically, I take this to mean that city and its trade is positive, perhaps moved by a higher force. Of course, I welcome any opinions on this.

The obverse (not shown) depicts a king with a sword in his right hand and a branch of peace in his left hand. The legend reads: SEV PACEM SEV BELLA GERAS. This phrasing translates: “Peace is beautiful and good.” These words anticipate the legend on the reverse.

As I have mentioned in previous blog posts, I have quite a fondness for the French ship jetons. The vessels are detailed and realistic yet shaped with an artistic flair that makes them beautiful to the eye. The brassy copper ages to produce an interesting patina that brings out the contours. This is a great coin to pass around! And it was loved for 400 years.

Tell me, who doesn’t like a French galleon from 1604?

*A footnote: You want to get kids interested in collecting? Show them an old ship coin with a deep patina and just enough wear and tear to entice the eye.

Book Project: Folk Magic and Coin Talismans at Jamestown in the Seventeenth Century

Since I have been focused on folk magic and coins, I decided to provide an update. My book manuscript is coming along. I hope to have it done by late 2017 or early next year.

The working title is: Bent, Holed, & Folded: Folk Magic and Coin Talismans from Colonial Jamestown. This is the primary focus, but there is a chapter on “witch pieces” from Massachusetts, and several chapters exploring similar pieces from Elizabethan England. Also, I examine religious medals, particularly “devil chasers.” I completed the Bibliography and Notes this past week – over 100 references and counting (whew!).

Elizabethan pendant.
When was it  worn?
Was it for ornament or protection?
This half-groat was dug in England.

The whole enterprise has spilled-over to my work. I am giving a talk entitled, Witches and Counter-charms: Reality-testing in Elizabethan times, for a group of clinical psychologists in Virginia. Of note, I have treated more than a few psychiatric patients who have presented with delusions of being bewitched or possessed.

But you do not need a diagnosis to have these supernatural beliefs. A 2005 Gallup poll estimated that one out of five Americans believe in witchcraft, and one out of four believe that the movement of the planets significantly impact their lives.

So, who believes that a bent or holed coin can ward off witches? And, how many of you have a witch bottle planted in your yard? Plus, who among you has a horseshoe nailed over the threshold? Is it pointed up or down?

I am headed up to Salem, Massachusetts, in May or June. Not sure what I’ll find there, but I just have to go to see it for myself. Poor Sarah Good. I'll visit her gravesite. Maybe I’ll bring home a poppet or a holed-stone.

Dear readers, I hope you will like my up-coming project. I am certainly having fun collecting and learning about folk magic in colonial North America and England.

At some point, I will provide a few witch stories on this blog. They are fascinating.