01 August 2011 - News Type: - Find of the Month One of the finds
from our recent excavation at Foulis was a Geroge III ‘bullhead’
coin. It was found in the initial metal detector survey by Eric
Soane of the Highland Historical Search Society near the mound
that our excavation focused on. The coin is interesting because
it was first minted in 1816 and 1817 but this particular design
was removed in 1818. This particular ‘bullhead’ design depicted
the right profile of George III designed by Benedetto Pistrucci.
The large laureate head with bare right shoulder was not
particularly flattering and was met with public outcry, causing
its withdrawal from circulation. This example has been cleaned
and demonstrates the 'offensive' profile of George III. These
coins were produced at the new Royal Mint at Little Tower Hill
using the new steam, powered machinery installed by Bolton and
Watt. This very short production period hints that the coin may
have been dropped at Foulis in this short time period in the
early 1800’s,