English Hammered Coins

In the reign of King Edward I, the largest coin struck for regular usage was the Silver Penny. It was of such high-quality silver that many were exported, melted down, and then lower-grade counterfeits or Sterlings were issued. This was of course illegal and the penalty was death. You have a facing portrait of the King on one side and a cross on the other side. This cross made it easy to make change cut it in half and it became a Halfpenny, cut it into quarters and it becomes a Farthing. Edward was both good and bad, a very tall man he was known as Long Shanks. He established Parliament as a permanent institution, but he also treated the Scottish people brutally, persecuted Jewish people and took all their money and property. The Silver Pennies on offer were put together by a dealer over many years; they have been carefully selected and are now over 700 years old. They are supplied in Fine which is better than they usually come. This Silver Penny was the largest coin struck for regular usage and it would purchase quite a bit at the time. A fantastic group and one that you should seriously consider.

Edward II also called Edward of Caernarfon, was King of England from 1307 until he was deposed in January 1327. Following the death of his father Edward “Longshanks”, Edward succeeded to the throne in 1307. The “Long Cross Penny” was the largest coin of the period and those of Edward II closely resemble those of his father. He adopted the same bust and legend. It takes a trained eye to spot differences in the lettering and the King's crown to spot a genuine Edward II. The pennies on offer here come in “Fine”. They are from London or Canterbury Mints, depending on availability. You have the crowned bust of the King on one side, under the name of Edward I. On the reverse you have CIVI TAS LONDON or CIVI TAS CANTOR, meaning “City of London (or Canterbury)”. This is the first time we have accumulated enough Edward II Pennies to offer you in almost three years, so get one while you can.

One of the earliest and least expensive English coins you can get is a Silver Penny of King Henry III. He reigned from 1216-1272 so that makes it between 700 and 800 years ago. The Silver Penny was the only denomination issued during his rule. You have a stylized portrait of the monarch on one side and a long cross on the other side. This long cross was so that you would have guidelines if you wanted to cut the coin in half, thus making two Halfpennies, or in Quarters thus making four Farthings. The Silver in the coin was good, that many were illegally exported and melted down. The excess money was the profit, but it was illegal to export these coins. We can offer them in Fine and we think that they are excellent value considering their age and history.