This silver groat of Elizabeth I was discovered by Murray in the Surrey Hills and dates from the later part of the 16th century. Struck at the Tower Mint in London, its origin is confirmed by the visible mint mark ‘P’ on the reverse of the coin. This mark helps narrow down the date of striking to a specific phase of Elizabeth’s reign (1558–1603).
The groat was a valuable coin of its day, worth four pence, and would still have represented a decent sum for an ordinary person. In the late 1500s, a groat could buy enough food to feed a labourer for a day or two — perhaps a loaf of bread, some cheese, and a pint or two of ale, with a little left over. Though small in size, it had real purchasing power. In modern terms, its value could be roughly compared to £10 to £15, depending on the context and local prices.
This coin is a classic example of a hammered coin, produced by striking a blank piece of silver between two dies using a hammer. The process often resulted in irregularly shaped coins with off-centre designs, but each one was individually made and carries unique character.
Milled coins, introduced in the following century, were machine-struck, producing more uniform pieces that helped prevent fraud and clipping.
This groat offers a tangible connection to Elizabethan England – a period of exploration, theatre, religious tension and the rise of national identity. It remains a treasured find in The Bearded Bleepers’ Surrey collection.
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