form, usually an irregular octagon. The only denominations known are the crown and half-crown. CROWN-Has on each side "v. s" within a double circle, the outer one beaded, the inner one linear. Fig. 5, Plate III., weighs 18 dwts. 20-2 grs. The coin published in Folkes and Ruding, Plate XXVII., Fig. 6, weighs 18 dwts. 10 grs. Simon's Fig. 133, Plate VI., is represented as being perfectly circular, the numeral within a single beaded circle, the diameter of which is much larger than any specimen I have seen. Fig. 6, Plate III., has a reversed "s" on the left side of the "v;" it weighs only 16 dwts. 6 grs. ; another specimen, with the "s" in like manner, weighs only 15 dwts. 19 grs. Both pieces are in the British Museum; they were struck from different dies, not engraved, but made with a punch, as is evident from the burr round the numeral on Fig. 6. The rudeness of execution and deficiency of weight lead me to believe that they were issued with a fraudulent design to pass as crowns. HALF-CROWN-Has " II vID" on each side, within a double circle, like the crown-piece. Fig. 7, Plate III., weighs 9 dwts. 17.1 grs.; the numerals which represent the pence are smaller than those which denote the shillings. Fig. 8 weighs 9 dwts. 13 grs.; the numerals are all of the same size. The coin published in Folkes and Ruding, Plate XXVII., Fig. 7, weighs only 8 dwts. 20 grs. ; it is similar to Fig. 7, Plate III. Snelling, in his first additional plate to Simon, Fig. 32, has published one of the same variety of type. As no record has been discovered respecting these coins, the period at which they were struck can only be inferred from their type and form. The fact of only one small die being used for both sides of each coin, the simplicity of the type, and the polygonal form, seem to prove that they were issued between the 5th of January, 1642, when the citizens of Dublin were first called on to send in their plate; and the 25th of May, 1643, when the Ormonde money was ordered to be made.1 SECTION IV. Simon's opinion, that money was coined by order of the Confederate Catholics, was founded on one of the Acts of the General Assembly, dated Oct. 29, 1642: "It is this day ordered by this Assembly, that coin and plate shall be raised and established in this kingdom, according to the rates and values hereafter mentioned, and that there shall be forthwith coined the sume of four thousand pound, to pass currant in and through this kingdom, ac "Trans. Kilkenny Arch. Society," vol. iii., p. 17. cording to a proclamation, or act, published by direction of this Assembly in the city of Kilkenny, and not otherwise, &c." No mention is made in this order of the type of the money, or of the metal of which it was to be made, but more particular information is contained in the proclamation which speedily followed the order quoted from Rymer. By this proclamation, which was first published in the "Transactions of the Kilkenny Archæological Society," vol. i., first series, p. 451, "all money, plate, and coyne, as well silver as gold, English and forraine," was raised and enhanced in value one third, e. g. "The 20' of James and Charles to 26 and 8a-and half a crown peece doe pass henceforth for 10 groates. And wee doe furthur order, publish, and declare, that the plate of this kingdome be coined with the ordinarie stampe used in the moneys now currant.” "Wee doe likewise publish and declare that there shall be 40001. of red copper coyned to farthings and pence, with the harp and crowne on the one side, and to [two] septers on the other, and that everie pound of copper be made to the value of 2" 8°.-All which wee do publish and declare, to have been urged unto by necessite for his majesties service, and naturall defence, not otherwise presuming the power or might thereof, the same as we humbly confesse and acknowledge being properlie and solelie belonging unto his sacred majestie; unto whome wee are through the malignancie of our enemies debarred of all accesse.-Dated att Kilkenny, the 15th of 9ber, 1642." The red copper of which the farthings and half-pence were to be coyned, means nothing more than pure copper, to distinguish it from "the white groate of coper," which in the proclamation was ordered to pass for two pence. The coins alluded to were the base metal groats of Philip and Mary, and Elizabeth, which were then in circulation. . HALF-PENNY.--Obverse, two sceptres in saltire, within a crown; legend, CAROLVS DG MAG BRI between two beaded circles. Reverse, a harp surmounted by a crown, between the initial letters C.R. ; legend, FRAN ET HIBER REX. Fig. 1, Plate IV., has a harp mint mark on the obverse, between the handles of the sceptres; it weighs 53-3 grs. Fig. 2 has the legend CARO DG MAG BRI; it weighs 80-4 grs. Fig. 3 has FRA instead of FRAN; it weighs 58.6 grs. Fig. 4 weighs 57-4 grs.; it has the harp mint mark between the handles of the sceptres, and it is countermarked with a stamp of the form of a shield, which bears a castle, the arms of Kilkenny, and the letter "K;" the object of this countermark was to distinguish the genuine coinage of the Confederates from the many spurious pieces which were put into circulation; the reverse of one variety is engraved, Fig. 5; it weighs 51.5 grs. 1 Rymer's Fœdera, v. xx., p. 537, quoted by Simon, Appendix, xlviii. FARTHING. The type is similar to that of the half-penny; the legend on the obverse and reverse, as ascertained from several coins, is CARO or CAR · D · G · MAG · BRI, and FRA ET HIB REX. Fig. 6 weighs 41-6 grs. . . When Mr. Lindsay first published a few of these coins in 1839,' the clue to their history had not been discovered, but no difficulty now exists in identifying the copper money coined by order of the Confederates, who testified the loyalty professed in their proclamation, by adopting the type and legends of the copper farthings of Charles I., issued in 1625. The proclamation ordered" that everie pound of copper be made to the value of 2 84," that is, sixty-four half-pence, by tale to the pound Troy of 5760 grains, which fixes the weight of the half-penny at ninety grains. This standard does not appear to have been regarded, for the respective weight of thirteen half-pence ranges from 533 to 124-9 grs., the average weight being only 73 grs. The weight of the farthings ranges from 401 to 599 grs. These coins are made of "red copper," and each piece is polygonal, the blank having been clipped to match the size of the die, without taking into consideration the thickness of the metal, which accounts for the remarkable difference in weight already noticed. They were struck with so little care, many of them present only a small portion of the impression, and the examples now published have been selected as the best and most characteristic from a large number, which exhibit many varieties in the form of the crown and harp. (To be continued.) THE PLANTATION OF THE BARONY OF IDRONE, IN THE COUNTY OF CARLOW. (Continued from vol. ii., n. s., page 428.) BY JOHN P. PRENDERGAST, ESQ., BARRISTER-AT-LAW. SIR Peter Carew died without issue, but he had two cousins, Peter and George Carew, who were the objects of his affections, and whom he had invited over to Ireland, where they were engaged in the military service of the Queen. It has been already mentioned that Sir Peter Carew, on quitting "Coinage of Ireland," p. 56, and Sup. Plate IV., Fig. 82 to 88. See also "Trans. Kilkenny Arch. Soc.," vol. i., p. 449., and |