Richard I Silver Voided Short Cross Penny Class 4b London Mint 1189-1199

Description

Denomination: Silver penny

Period: Plantagenets

Date: 1189-1199

Origin: London mint. Ricard moneyer

Condition: Almost very fine. off centre but a good portrait for type

Obverse: Crowned facing bust of Richard. holding sceptre in right hand. whiskers made up of small pellets. legend in name of his father h[ENRI]CVS REX 

Reverse: Voided short cross with four pellets in each angle. +RICARD ON LVN

Size and Weight: 18mm. 1.35g

References: Spink 1348C 4b

Features and Provenance: All Richard’s coins were issued in his father’s name. the only coins bearing his name were produced in Ireland and France.

Although Richard is one of England’s most famous kings. it is strange that he should have only ever spent six months in the country and probably spoke little English. He was born in England in 1157. the second surviving son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. He spent most of his youth with her in France where he excelled in the art of war. He was betrothed at the age of nine to a French princess. Alais. but never married her. Henry had her imprisoned for twenty five years and treated her as his own mistress. Richard had little time for women and his own marriage to Berengaria of Navarre was strategic and she saw him infrequently and they had no children. He is believed to have produced one child illegitimately. but the mother is unknown.   

Richard actually tried to depose his father on no less than two occasions. so it is unsurprising that Henry II was not conducive to making Richard his heir apparent. He did so. however. just two days before the death of Henry after losing in battle to Richard. He gained the Angevin Empire but was more interested in fighting in the Crusades. The ‘Crusader King.’ ‘the Lionhearted.’ ‘Coeur de Lion’ and ‘Richard Oc-e-Non’ (yes and no) as he was also know. eventually came to a truce during the Third Crusade instead of gaining Jerusalem. He then travelled home again. but was captured and held to ransom. His mother tried to raise funds to pay it. but had to turn to the people of the Angevin Empire to free him. promoting him as ‘Good King Richard’ although she had to pawn the crown jewels to finally achieve this. For all his fame. sadly. his epithets appear to outnumber his actual achievements. He died in 1199 from an arrow wound in the shoulder.

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