Important British and World Coins

Prince Henry (1139-1152), Sterling, Period D, probably Bamburgh, Willelm, wilel:m [: on ci : b], crosses pattée in angles of small neat style, 0.86g/6h (Mack 289; SCBI 35, –; B 1, fig. 23a; S 5013). Edge chipped and tiny flan perforation under head, otherwise very fine with a good portrait, extremely rare (£2,500-3,000)

Provenance:
S.P. Fay ‘Dundee’ Collection, Bowers & Ruddy/Spink Auction (Los Angeles), 19 February 1976, lot 7
bt Spink.

The mint-signature on the known coins of this type was interpreted by the late Gilbert Askew as wilel[m] m[onetarius] on c[astr]i b[æmburgi], i.e. the mint at Bamburgh castle (NC 1940, p.54). By the Treaty of Durham, 1139, King Stephen granted Prince Henry the Earldom of Northumberland although, it is thought, Stephen kept the revenues from Newcastle and Bamburgh while allowing Prince Henry the use of the castles for the security of his earldom