[1] Mestrelle offered his services to the English court, and he was authorised by Elizabeth to set up the first coin press in England.
[5] On 24 October 1561 the traditional Trial of the Pyx took place, and it was decided to drop the old silver denominations in favour of new 6d, 3d, 11⁄2d and 3⁄4d coins.
[1] The following eighteen months was Mestrelle's most productive period at the Tower mint, producing hundreds of thousands of silver coins, especially sixpences, which accounted for over three-quarters of his output.
A medal struck by Mestrelle during this period is believed to be a plea to the queen - the obverse bears the inscription QUID NOS SINE TE (what are we without thee?)
A letter dated 25 August 1572, and sent by Martin to Lord Treasurer Burghley details a variety of problems with Mestrelle ranging from non-payment of debts to difficulties with sightseers.
[1] As it became clear that a conviction was likely, Mestrelle tried to save himself by implicating others supposedly involved with counterfeiting, but the Crown was not satisfied, and he was executed in the spring of 1578.