William the Conqueror Coin – Silver Penny – London 1066-87

Description

Heading: William the Conqueror Coin – Silver Penny – London 1066-87

Denomination: Silver penny

Period: Norman

Date: 1066-1087

Origin: London mint. Godwine moneyer

Condition: AVF. slight strike weakness and wrinkles but nice cabinet tone

Obverse: Facing bust crowned and diademed. PILLELM REX

Reverse: Cross pattee; in each angle an annulet containing one letter for the word PAXS. +GODPINE ON LVND

Size and Weight: 19.5mm. 1.42g

References: N848. Spink 1257

Features and Provenance: Ex Barry Cooke collection.

A descendant of the Viking ruler Rollo. William I was born in about 1028 to Robert I. Duke of Normandy and his mistress. Herleva. leading to one of his epithets ‘the bastard’.The young Duke’s power gradually grew and by 1062 his territories in France had greatly expanded. William claimed that he had been promised the English throne by the heirless Edward the Confessor but. upon Edward’s death. the throne passed to Earl Harold Godwinson.

With the support of the Pope. William invaded England and successfully took the throne in 1066. gaining him his other epithet ‘the conqueror’. There was natural unrest and revolts broke out across the country. William quelled these by force. most infamously with the scorched earth policy of the ‘harrying of the North’ in 1069 to 1070. William’s legacy also includes the commissioning of the Domesday Book in 1086 and the construction of castles and keeps. most famously the White Tower of the Tower of London. He spent little time in England and never mastered the language. He died of a riding injury in Rouen in 1087.

The ironic use of the word PAXS on these coins may continue into the reign of William II but has still to be substantiated. so this coin will remain attributed to his father.

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