Description
Heading: Henry II Short Cross Penny 1180-1189
Denomination: Silver voided short cross penny, class 1c
Period: Plantagenets
Date: 1180-1189
Origin: Winchester mint
Condition: AVF, good portrait for type, some wear to high points
Obverse: Crowned facing bust, five pearls to crown, irregular number of curls to side of head, sceptre in right hand, HENRICVS REX
Reverse: Voided short cross with quatrefoils in each angle, +ADAM.ON.WINC
Size and Weight: 20mm, 1.13g
References: Spink 1345
Features and Provenance: Ex Coincraft
Henry became king in 1154 and by all accounts was a good king. He never learnt English but as the court spoke Norman French this probably didn’t matter too much. He was labelled as scruffy and bad tempered, and lacked the charm of his father. However, he can be considered to be one of England’s greatest monarchs, developing the laws of the land and uniting a divided kingdom.
He is also know for his empire building in Europe, for which he had a fierce reputation. He also wanted to stamp his authority on the church, which did not sit well with the then Archbishop, Thomas Becket. This culminated in the death of Becket in his own church by his altar; this horrified Christians and although Beckett was apparently disliked by the monks in life, in death he became a martyr and religious cult.
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
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