Penny

In 1806 the Soho Mint made the first copper pennies struck on a steam driven press. This design was struck for only two years 1806 and 1807. It had King George III as a Roman Emperor on one side and Britannia seated on the other side. These were the first copper coins to be struck as we know them today. Only struck for two years and available in two different grades Fine and Very Fine. They are now over 200 years old and the first of their type to be made.

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.