Struck by the Confederate Catholics of Ireland during their brief period of self-governance from Kilkenny, this issue belongs to one of the more extraordinary monetary episodes in Irish history. The Confederation — formed in 1642 following the Ulster Rising — operated its own parliament, army, and mint simultaneously while negotiating with both Charles I and the Papal Nuncio Rinuccini. The Ormonde attribution reflects the series' association with James Butler's negotiations rather than direct ducal authority over the mint itself.
The pieces were cut from bar silver, accounting for the weight inconsistencies common across surviving examples. Kilkenny's mint ceased operations when Cromwell took the town in March 1650.
Struck by the Confederate Catholics of Ireland during their brief period of self-governance from Kilkenny, this issue belongs to one of the more extraordinary monetary episodes in Irish history. The Confederation — formed in 1642 following the Ulster Rising — operated its own parliament, army, and mint simultaneously while negotiating with both Charles I and the Papal Nuncio Rinuccini. The Ormonde attribution reflects the series' association with James Butler's negotiations rather than direct ducal authority over the mint itself.
The pieces were cut from bar silver, accounting for the weight inconsistencies common across surviving examples. Kilkenny's mint ceased operations when Cromwell took the town in March 1650.