That relies on the assumption that English locals were clueless about the outside world - on the contrary, intercontinental trade networks were especially estab

That relies on the assumption that English locals were clueless about the outside world - on the contrary, intercontinental trade networks were especially established around this time. The nobility would've been importing goods from all around Europe, the Mediterranean, and even China through the Silk Road link. While knowledge about what was "over there" probably varied, I would suppose locals would at least be aware of "lands to the East" and view the coin in that context.