England – Edward III (1327–1377) – AR Silver Penny – Long Cross – Plantagenet Dynasty – Medieval Hammered Coin
Country: England
Dynasty: Plantagenet
Ruler: Edward III (1327–1377 AD), tentative attribution
Denomination: Penny
Mint: Unidentified
Metal: Silver (AR), as described on the accompanying collector’s ticket
Weight: 0.69 g
Diameter: 15 mm
Condition: Fine (F), according to the collector’s ticket; heavily worn
Reference: Unattributed medieval English long-cross penny
Obverse: Crowned facing bust of an English monarch, surrounded by a partially preserved medieval Latin inscription. The portrait is heavily worn, with most facial features and crown details indistinct.
Reverse: Long cross pattée dividing the field into four quarters, each containing a group of three pellets. Portions of the surrounding inscription remain visible, although the mint name cannot be reliably established.
Historical Background:
Edward III ruled England from 1327 to 1377 and was one of the most important monarchs of the Plantagenet dynasty.
His reign was marked by the early stages of the Hundred Years’ War, major developments in English royal authority, and significant changes to the kingdom’s monetary system.
Silver pennies continued to play an essential role in everyday commerce during the fourteenth century.
The traditional crowned facing portrait and long-cross reverse design remained important features of English medieval silver coinage.
The long cross also served a practical purpose, helping users divide pennies into halves and quarters for smaller transactions.
Condition and Collector’s Notes:
A medieval English hammered silver penny, tentatively attributed to the reign of Edward III.
The coin exhibits extensive circulation wear, with a substantially flattened obverse portrait and partially preserved peripheral inscriptions.
The reverse retains a recognizable long cross and several groups of pellets, providing a clear example of the traditional English medieval penny design.
The surfaces display grey toning, darker deposits, scratches and areas of uneven wear. The flan is slightly irregular, as commonly encountered on hammered medieval coinage.
The recorded weight of 0.69 g is below the expected weight of a complete penny of this general period.
The attribution to Edward III is provisional. Earlier or later issues sharing similar designs cannot be excluded without further examination.
An affordable historical collectible for enthusiasts of medieval England, Plantagenet coinage and hammered silver currency.
The photographs show the actual coin offered for sale and form an integral part of the description.