Edward I Silver Penny Berwick Mint c1300 Scarce

Description

Heading: Edward I silver penny Berwick Mint

Denomination: Silver penny, possibly type 5 or 6

Period: Plantagenets, Edward I 1272-1307

Date: c1300, see discussion on the placing of Berwick in Scotland and England below

Origin: Berwick on Tweed mint, scarce

Condition: These coins do not align with standard English coins, but this coin is considered VF although off centre

Obverse: Crowned (trifoliate) bust of king facing with extra drapery and pellet on chest, legend around, +EDWA R ANGL DNS hYB

Reverse: Long cross with three pellets in each quarter, legend around VILL ABE REV VICI (=VILLA BEREWICI)

Size and Weight: 19mm, 1.25g

References: Withers p50, Spink 1415

Features and Provenance: Edward I, also known as Edward ‘Longshanks’ due to his tall stature, was king of England from 1272 to 1307. During his reign there was constant unrest with the chieftains of Wales, as a result, Edward built multiple castles in Wales as strongholds. Such wonderful castles as Harlech, Rhuddlan, Conwy and Caernarvon were constructed or rebuilt. His first wife, Eleanor of Castile seemingly gave birth in nearly all of them, having sixteen children in all; sadly, only seven survived to adulthood.

Edward also became known as the ‘Hammer of the Scots’ for having put pay to rebel armies at Carlisle, Berwick and Dunbar. On various occasions Berwick was captured by the Kings forces and produced English coinage.  Our example is one of these, produced from local dies. The dating of these coins is somewhat erratic as is attribution to Edward I or II; numismatists are still debating this.

Condition Summary. This varies with the age of coin and there are grades between

Uncirculated (U). As struck with no traces of wear

Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear. all parts of legend etc present. visible and clear

Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief. all parts of legend etc present. but maybe worn

Fine (F). Wear on the coin and parts of legend etc may be missing or not visible