Coins and Historical Medals

Stephen (1135-1154), Penny, Cross Pommée (‘Awbridge’) type [BMC VII], irregular issue, uncertain mint within Northumberland, facing bust with sceptre held to right, 1.22g/8h (Allen, BNJ 2006, 375 [IRR:8/8], this coin; BMC 225, same dies; cf. N 881; cf. S 1282). Flan stabilised at 6 o’clock around small chip, weakly struck on an irregular flan, otherwise fine, clear portrait, very rare £300-£400

Found at Snarford, Lincolnshire, 1995 (EMC 1995.0213)

This coin belongs to an extremely rare irregular issue produced towards the end of Stephen’s reign or perhaps posthumously. The style of engraving, particularly within the legend, and distinctive portrait, associates this series with the mint operated under Henry of Northumberland, although the attribution of these pieces to that king as made by Andrew is no longer tenable. Martin Allen has recently proposed that these coins were contemporary forgeries, although the good weight of many specimens would seemingly rule out profit as a motivator behind such a scheme.

Withdrawn