Elizabeth Pirie

Died: 1 March, 2005, in Edinburgh, aged 72.

ELIZABETH Pirie wrote extensively on numismatics, in particular on early Northumbrian coinage. Between 1964 and 2004 she published eight books and dozens of articles in numismatic and archaeological journals.

Her knowledge of her subject won her the respect of her peers; she was Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries Scotland (1955), the Royal Numismatic Society (1957), and the Society of Antiquaries of London (1978) and a member of the British Numismatic Society since 1960.

She held office at the Yorkshire Numismatic Society (president in 1970) and was secretary of the Edinburgh Numismatic Society from 1996 to 1999.

Her book Coins of the Kingdom of Northumbria, c.700-867, published in 1996, was her favourite work. In 2002 she published Coins of Northumbria - An illustrated guide to money from the years 670 to 867, for a wider audience and as a handy reference guide for archaeologists, curators, collectors and "detectorists".

A stickler for grammatical accuracy, she frequently declined to take the advice of publishers who suggested changes to her text. She was unforgiving of shoddy writing, or poor research that led to dubious conclusions. She took delight in identifying bad grammar in the "quality press", clippings of which she would present to friends over coffee.

Elizabeth Jane Elphinstone Pirie was the only daughter of Rev James E Pirie and Ethel, ne Stewart, a schoolteacher. Her father was minister of St Andrew’s Scots Kirk in Malta and a chaplain to the Royal Navy.

Trips to Britain during her early childhood were infrequent but she returned to Britain with her mother in 1939 just days before war broke out. Her father remained on the island during the war.

When Mr Pirie returned to Britain, where he remained a naval chaplain until 1953, the family moved between naval towns as her father’s job dictated.

At Edinburgh University she studied classics before switching to archaeology after two years, in which subject she graduated with an MA. An archaeology diploma at Cambridge followed, and between 1952 and 1955 she took part in many archaeological excavations and expeditions.

Her career began at Grosvenor Museum in Chester, where, in November 1955, she was appointed assistant curator. She became archaeological assistant at Maidstone Museum in March 1957 and moved to Leeds City Museum as keeper of archaeology in 1960, where she remained until retirement. Most of her books and articles were written during her time in Leeds.

Her early interest in archaeology gave way to Northumbrian and Yorkshire numismatics and it was at Leeds that Pirie became familiar with the Anglo-Saxon coins stycas and sceattas.

In 1982 her first specifically "styca-related" works appeared: the catalogue of the early Northumbrian coins in the Museum of Antiquities, Newcastle upon Tyne; and an article, The Ripon Hoard, 1695: contemporary and current interest, in the British Numismatic Journal. From then on her knowledge grew until she was widely recognised as the expert on the subject.

Pirie retired in 1992 and returned to live in Edinburgh, where she was well known around Marchmont. An elder of her church in Leeds, she was a devoted Christian and a well-liked member of Marchmont St Giles Parish Church. She photographed many church activities over the years and was known to children of the congregation as "the lady with the camera".

She was instantly recognisable, her wardrobe changing little with the seasons. She never ventured outside without her jacket and hat, and a cigarette was forever close by. The appearance of her warm coat and lined boots were a sure sign of the approach of winter.

Pirie was an enthusiastic photographer and the pictures of coins in her books were taken and developed by her. The "lady with the camera" also recorded various aspects of Edinburgh life, especially on the Meadows, which her home overlooked. The crocuses were a particular joy and the wheelie bins a constant irritation.

It was during a campaign against the introduction of the bins to Marchmont streets that she had her proudest television moment, when she was seen raging against the city council for its decision to impose them.

Known to friends as Liz, and to acquaintances as Miss Pirie, she made her great enthusiasm for numismatics clear during conversations with friends. Talk often moved seamlessly from general topics to coins, or the latest article or book upon which she was working.

Pirie was generous and kind to friends and strangers alike. Recently, in helping a student, she performed an exceptional act of kindness that reflected an event from her earlier life. When she was a student, her professor had asked if she would be interested in owning a complete set of the Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries in Scotland, the owner having asked if the university could pass the books on to a student who would make good use of them.

Pirie was the grateful recipient and in the following years she kept the set up to date. When she recently moved house, and no longer had room for the collection, she approached the university to reciprocate the generosity of previous years. A student took up her kind offer and Pirie was delighted to know that the books were going to a good home. It pleased her to think of that student passing on the same books in fifty years’ time.

Pirie is survived by an aunt, cousins, and many friends.