Silver farthing? which king?

[chrislamb]

Hi,

Just wondering who the king is on this coin & how much it is worth?

The diamiter is 1cm.

Thanks

Chris

[chrislamb]

and the reverse:

[Geordie582]

Not much to go on - but - as a stab. I'd say it is a farthing of Richard II or Henry IV. Just going on the crown and hairstyle. A better photograph would help, although the lack of decent legends or mint marks makes any attribution a pure guess! Anyone else on the forum got a better idea?

The value depends on accurate identification, but could be from a couple of pounds to £100 or more dependent of king and rarety.

Edited April 11, 2006 by Geordie582

[chrislamb]

This might be a little better:

[chrislamb]

Thanks for the reply Geordie got it down to a couple of kings better than going through my Spink coins book, they all look the same at around that period to me!!! Found it metal detecting, I am just interested in value, am much more interested in what period it's from.

[Sylvester]

Letter at 3 o'clock looks like a C, i can't see any D knocking around so it might be HENRIC, (rather than RICARD).

I can't narrow it any further than that though.

[Geordie582]

On second scrutiny, looking at that nose, it could be Snoopy!!

[chrislamb]

On second scrutiny, looking at that nose, it could be Snoopy!!

It is a farthing then?

[Geordie582]

At 10mm I think you can safely say a farthing! Looking again I think Henry IV is favourite, but it will take an experienced numismatist to atribute it definitely. There is so little to go on!

[chrislamb]

I asked that as I have a charles I penny which is not a lot bigger than this. Thanks again for the info.

Chris

[Geordie582]

Currence debasement made the silver coins gradually deminish in size with succeeding reigns. Some of the Victorian were minute. I'm sure a milled collector could provide an interesting series comparison??

[Teg]

My guess :-

HENRY VIII Halfpenny.

These often mistaken for farthings because of their size "10 - 13mm".

The legend would be something like -

hxDxGxROS/\xSIExSPIN/\ on the obverse

CIVI T/\S LON DON on the reverse

Where I have typed /\ should be an A but with the bar on the top.

Teg

[TomGoodheart]

I'm inclined to agree with Teg that it's a Henry VIII Halfpenny. I have dropped the pic into paint and reversed the colours and could be persuaded that I can see the ROS^ of the legend at 6 o'clock. Someone will no doubt correct me (please!) but I don't think that legend was used prior to old coppernose's reign.

Making out the H D G is however beyond me so I could be wrong!!

Thanks for the interesting challenge chrislamb! (And good guess Teg!)

[Geordie582]

I agree with you Tom, it certainly looks like ROSA to me too., and 5.30 to 6 0-clock is where it would appear. My Wren stops at Henry VII and I was plumping for Spinks 2077 as a result. Hadn't noticed the ROSA!

Edited May 18, 2006 by Geordie582

[Geordie582]

This has started me re-evaluating some of my more obscure coins, such as this one. I have it down as Henry VI (S1886) but now I'm doubting it! The trouble with poor examples, although researching them can be fun, is that they cause so much frustration!

http://www.omnicoin.com/coins/900147.jpg

Edited May 18, 2006 by Geordie582

[chrislamb]

Here is an even better photo of it, at exactly 3 o'clock there seems to be an H. Thanks for the replies.

[chrislamb]

Here is an even better photo of it, at exactly 3 o'clock there seems to be an H. Thanks for the replies.

Here is a picture of a henry VIII halfpenny

[Geordie582]

If that IS an 'H' at 3-o-clock then it will not be Henry! More like Richard but the legend should read RICARDUS in that case - no H-, so that leaves us with yet another problem

What say you, TomGoodHeart?

Edited May 24, 2006 by Geordie582

[TomGoodheart]

In Spink's Numismatic Circular of October 2004 there's a (H VIII) halfpenny which reads H D G ROSA SIE SPIA and from what I can make out from the photo the E of SIE is at exactly 3 o'clock. Could it be an E rather than an H? I've tried scanning it but can't get a photo that would be any use to you I'm afraid.

(Bear in mind Mike's coin is unusual in having the annulet at the centre of the reverse cross - hence the price)

Edited May 24, 2006 by TomGoodheart

[Geordie582]

I'm giving up on this one! Much the same as the majority of minor coins of this period, there never seems to be a really good example to use as the benchmark

I've given up on my coin too! I'm just claiming it to be, as I quoted, Henry VI and let others argue!!!

I suggest you do the same, Chrislamb

[TomGoodheart]

That's why I like Chas I shillings! Most are clear enough to identify, there are plenty of different varieties and a Sylloge of the whole series to guide you. Easy peasy!!