Item 1964/1 - Two letters from W. J. W. Potter

2 items, paper

Two letters from W. J. W. Potter:
(a) typescript, one folio (recto & verso), dated 5 July 1964, focusing on extrapolations from obverse die counts to determine die output, evidently during a couple of years in the reign ofEdward III (1327-1377). WJWP states that he derived his figures from the lists of LAL [i.e. Laurie Asher Lawrence], which he describes as "vague especially for the obverses". He says that the "figures show a disproportionately large number of obverses" while the number of reverses is in line with "the totals supplied according to orders of 25 July [13]53 and 21 February [13]54". WJWP estimates that obverse die output was 12,000 for groats, 13,000 for half-groats and 15,000 for pennies, which would imply that "less than half the original obverse dies are represented in surviving specimens". He suggests a way for IS to check the figures, working from the BM, Doubleday and Lockett collections or catalogues.
(b) typescript, single page, dated 26 July 1964, dealing first with a discrepancy between the number of reverse dies and bullion figures in York during the time of Edward III. In regard to dies represented in surviving specimens, WJWP thinks that "one in three is a low figure" and expects "at least one in two".