Description
Denomination: Silver penny
Period: Plantagenet
Date: 1199-1216
Origin: London mint. Ilger moneyer
Condition: Near VF. full flan but small crack to centre
Obverse: Crowned facing bust. sceptre in right hand. legend around in name of his father Henry II. hENRICVS REX
Reverse: Voided short cross within beaded circle. legend around +ILGER.ON.LVNDE
Size and Weight: 19mm. 1.3g
References: Spink 1351
Features and Provenance: No English coins were made in the name of John. only Irish coins bear the name. Iohn.
A mere paragraph can not do justice to this larger than life king of England. his coinage doesn’t reflect this either. He came to the throne in 1199 after the death of his brother. Richard (the Lionheart). As a young man. he already had a reputation for treachery. For example. whilst Richard was away at the Crusades. John attempted to overthrow the appointed regent. presumably to take the throne. but failed. Then. whilst Richard was returning home and he was kidnapped. he offered to pay the kidnappers to keep him imprisoned and away from England for as long as possible! He was only released when his mother pawned the crown jewels to pay the ransom! He is probably most known for unsettling his barons with his unpopular judicial reforms. spitefulness and demand for taxes; resulting in the Magna Carta that he reluctantly signed. The taxes were to raise funds for fruitless campaigns in France to gain back his lands. In his defence. modern historians have removed the layers of hatred bestowed on him and see him to have been hard working and an able administrator and general. albeit with psychopathic tendencies.
Condition Summary. This varies with the age of coin and there are grades in 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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