King Stephen Penny, Silver Cross Moline, London 1136-1145

Description

Header: King Stephen Penny Silver Cross Moline of  ‘Watford Penny’ Type, probably London, Wulfwine

Denomination: Silver hammered penny

Period: Normans

Date: c1136-1145

Origin: Probably London mint, Wulfwine moneyer 

Condition: AVF for type, very good portrait, holed for adornment (broken through [from a rough pull?], so this is probably how it was lost in the first place), a rare coin in a typical or better state

Obverse: Crowned bust, right, holding sceptre in right hand, STIEFNE REX: (or similar)

Reverse: Cross moline with fleur in each angle, legend possibly +WVL FP’INE ON [LVND]

Size and Weight: 18mm, 1.4g

References: N873, S1278

Features and Provenance: 

Stephen of Blois became king in 1135, on the death of his uncle, Henry I. He had married Matilda of Boulogne in 1125 and as a result, they became the richest couple in England. Henry’s daughter Empress Matilda (not to be confused with Stephen’s wife) had claim to the throne and general unrest in the country led to numerous rebellions by David I of Scotland, Geoffrey Plantagenet (Matilda’s husband), her half-brother (Robert of Gloucester), Matilda herself and her son Henry. Civil war raged on and Matilda finally took hold of the South West of England.

Stephen’s heir to the throne, Eustace, suddenly died necessitating a peace agreement that would keep everyone happy. Matilda’s son, Henry Fitzempress, a big player in the battle for the throne, was finally made Stephen’s heir and when Stephen died in 1154 he became Henry II of England. This period of unrest was so disruptive to the country that historians call it ‘The Anarchy.’

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