Richard II, Henry IV & Henry V

 

Richard II (1377-99)  Read about Richard II

 

Groats

 

WMH-7530:  Richard II Hammered Silver Medieval Groat.  Group 1, London mint, initial mark Cross Pattee, Spink 1678.  Lord Stewartby states that whilst production of gold throughout the reign remained constant, silver was somewhat erratic and far from prolific.  During the reign of Richard II (even at the end of Edward III), and most definitely going through the subsequent reign of Henry IV, silver was haemorrhaging out of England to the Continent at an alarming rate which was compounded by the fact that the country was far from awash with silver in the first place - the price of silver on the Continent was greater than in England and cross-channel merchants were quick to take advantage.  A very nice grade coin for issue – this example was recently through Baldwins’ and really isn’t that much better.  As in the Baldwins’ example, the regnal name is as clear as anything.  Rare coin.  £1,050

 

WMH-8149:  Richard II Medieval Hammered Silver Groat.  Type II (retrograde Z preceding FRANC), London mint, Spink 1679.  There was a distinct lack of available bullion at this period to make coinage:  Lord Stewartby (English Coins 1180-1551, published 2009) states that ...during the reign of Richard II (even at the end of Edward III), and most definitely going through the subsequent reign of Henry IV, silver was haemorrhaging out of England to the Continent at an alarming rate which was compounded by the fact that the country was far from awash with silver in the first place - the price of silver on the Continent was greater than in England and cross-channel merchants were quick to take advantage.  There are recorded accounts showing the absolute dearth of both coinage in circulation and available bullion during the reign of Richard II and Henry IV: in the Annals of the Coinage of Great Britain, Rudding recounts a licence issued to D.B. Goldsmiths of London to melt down groats, halfgroats and pence to the sum of £100 in order to make a silver vessel for the use of Margaret, Countess of Norfolk.  Another illustration was the meeting of Mac Murrough, an Irish chief and the Earl f Gloucester in 1399.  The chief arrived on a horse and being asked how much such a wonderful horse had cost, he replied "four hundred cows", it being the case that there was no physical money available so bartering was the only means of trade.  Further, the actual groat dies were not really up to the mark in terms of depth - Richard II groats are nearly always wishy-washy in appearance (just look at the Spink plate coin - the best they could source with all their collector contacts) and probably were if you were lucky enough to have one fresh out of the mint in the late 1300's.  This is a remarkably good grade coin, being by far the best I've ever had.  Sold with an old dealer ticket with £1,200 price.  A quick browse of past sales of type II groats will show you that far lesser grade coins sold for well into four figures.  A very desirable coin indeed.  £1,950

 

 

Pennies

 

WMH-8111:  Richard II Medieval Hammered Silver Long Cross Penny.  Early style, class I, York mint.  Distinctive cross on the king's breast; quatrefoil in reverse centre.  Spink 1690.  Richard II, as well as Henry IV, are incredibly hard monarchs in terms of finding a good example of a penny.  Although worn, this coin has the regnal name and the diagnostic cross-on-breast.  £225

 

WMH-8136:  Richard II Medieval Hammered Silver Penny.  A most interesting Non-Regal (contemporary counterfeit) of a London penny based upon Spink 1686.  Very clear regnal name and nearly as clear a reverse mint signature.  Of apparent good silver content (certainly rings like any other decent quality contemporary penny) and a nice 1.01 grams weight.  A particularly unflattering portrait, showing Richard with something of a trunk for a nose (I'm not aware that the man himself possessed such a proboscis in the flesh?!) It is not often - not often at all - that we see such good grade contemporary counterfeits surviving through to today.  All in all, a good quality and extremely interesting coin in excellent grade.  £335

Provenance:

Ex Mike Vosper

 

 

 

Halfpennies

 

WMH-7185:  Richard II Hammered Silver Medieval Halfpenny.  Intermediate issue – no marks on breast, 1377-99, London mint.  Spink 1699.  A nice grade example.  £115

 

WMH-7279:  Richard II Medieval Hammered Silver Half Penny.  Class IIIa, 1377-99, London mint.  Spink 1700.  An attractive, higher grade example.  £195

 

WMH-7295:  Richard II Medieval Hammered Silver Round Half Penny.  Type IV (immediately preceding the Henry IV coinage), 1377 - 1399, London mint.  Spink 1700A.  An excellent portrait coin.  £145

 

WMH-8021:  Richard II Medieval Hammered Silver Excellent Portrait Piece Halfpenny.  Intermediate style with no marks on breast or in the field.  London mint - lombardic n's.  Spink 1699.  An excellent portrait of the "mean-spirited knave but also a fool who has cast himself in the role of tragic hero, a role that no one else in the play takes seriously, and whose fall is directly due to his own folly”, otherwise known as Richard II - at least that's how Shakespeare saw fit to depict him, but then Richard was definitely not Shakespeare's favourite name when it came to kings!  This coin is better than the Spink plate coin which was the very best example they could find with all their vast resources.  Ex old Mike Vosper ticket.  £225

 

 

 

Henry IV (1399-1413) Read about Henry IV

 

Heavy Coinage (1399 – 1412)

 

Penny

 

York

 

WMH-7423:  Henry IV Hammered Silver Medieval Penny.  Heavy Coinage, 1399 - 1412.  0.95g.  York mint, Spink 1722.  An Episcopal issue under Archbishop Scrope, dated to 1405 only.  During the entire reign of Henry IV, but particularly the Heavy Coinage, gold was in short supply (just £45,000 bullion for this 13 year period) but silver coinage was much more seriously impacted with only £1,750 of silver being available up to Michaelmus 1408, with nothing thereafter.  Further, not only was hardly any Heavy Coinage silver issued, but what was issued was literally worth more than its face value and so ended up on the Continent where it was melted down.  This imbalance straddled the very tail end of Edward III, continuing up to and including the first issue of Henry V, although the Henry IV period, particularly the Heavy Coinage, was the worst affected.  Full flan, good weight, good detail, including reignal name.  The coin has an uneven or wavy flan and is a field-find with much dirt still adhering to the coin.  An unadulterated, honest coin.  Sold with a two page Finds.org.uk report which provides a wealth of information as well as provenance.  A choice example of a particularly difficult coin that, if you are lucky enough to source one, will invariably be in poor grade and problematic.  £1,950

 

WMH-7566:   Henry IV House of Lancaster Medieval Hammered Silver Penny.  Heavy Coinage, 1399 - 1412.  0.99g.  York mint, Spink 1722.  +hEnRIC x REX x AnGL x (---) this heavy coinage being over struck on old Richard II dies where the legend was RICARDVS REX ANGL or RICARD REX ANGLIE) and +CIVI TAS EBO RACI.  An Episcopal issue under Archbishop Scrope, dated to 1405 only.  During the entire reign of Henry IV, but particularly the Heavy Coinage, gold was in short supply (just £45,000 bullion for this 13 year period) but silver coinage was much more seriously impacted with only £1,750 of silver being available up to Michaelmus 1408, with nothing thereafter.  Further, not only was hardly any Heavy Coinage silver issued, but what was issued was literally worth more than its face value and so ended up on the Continent where it was melted down.  This imbalance straddled the very tail end of Edward III, continuing up to and including the first issue of Henry V, although the Henry IV period, particularly the Heavy Coinage, was the worst affected.  Full flan, good weight, good detail, including reignal name.  A most interesting obverse legend – a coin definitely worthy of someone’s skill and time in unravelling it all.  A choice example of a particularly difficult coin that, if you are lucky enough to source one, will invariably be in poor grade and problematic.  £1,950

 

 

 

Light Coinage (1412 – 1413)

 

Groat

 

WMH-8071:  Henry IV and V Medieval House of Lancaster Hammered Silver Groat.  A great rarity - Henry IV final class III obverse die (Spink 1728) muled with a Henry V initial class A London reverse die (Spink 1759), resulting in a mule / hybrid (but most importantly, with the Henry IV obverse), listed as Spink 1760.  A coin with a foot very much in two camps: clearly issued under Henry V, right at the very start of the reign (note the lombardic n's on the reverse) but with an actual obverse die used at the very end of the Henry IV reign.  During the entire reign of Henry IV, but particularly the Heavy Coinage, gold was in short supply (just £45,000 bullion for this 13 year period) but silver coinage was much more seriously impacted with only £1,750 of silver being available up to Michaelmus 1408, with nothing thereafter.  Further, not only was hardly any Heavy Coinage silver issued, but what was issued was literally worth more than its face value and so ended up on the Continent where it was melted down.  This imbalance straddled the very tail end of Edward III, continuing up to and including the first issue of Henry V, although the Henry IV period, particularly the Heavy Coinage, was the worst affected, especially groats which were extremely thin on the ground back than and like hens' teeth today.  As a Henry IV groat, this is obviously exceptionally rare; as a Henry V groat , this is the very rarest of all the x11 different types, including the emaciated bust variety.  Provenance back to almost x70 years ago with a rather impressive name in the coin collecting community having had this very coin in his collection - P. W. P. Carlyon-Britton.  £1,875

Provenance:

Ex P. W. P. Carlyon-Britton (November 1958)

Ex P.D.R. (Lot 84, 1995)

Ex Tim Owen

 

WMH-8104:  Henry IV / V Hammered Silver Medieval SCOWLING BUST Groat.  Light coinage, London mint, type B2a (there is now uncertainty as to whether types A and B of Henry V should be given to Henry IV), initial mark Cross Pattée, no fleurs over the crown and Quatrefoil after hENRIC - Spink 1762B.  There is an interesting mention of this very coin in BNJ 1997 (50), p.26.  See old tickets here and information sheet here.  High grade, impeccable provenance - Choice.  £1,975 RESERVED (M.Ha.26-6-24 OUT ON APPROVAL)

Provenance:

ex D. Mangaki collection...

Purchased from Seaby 1956

ex Margaret Delmé Radcliffe collection...

Dispersed Glendining's Action (1985)

Ex North Yorkshire Moor collection...

Dispersed DN W Action (2019)

Ex Mike Vosper (2019 - £1,250 ticket price)

Ex Mike Hallam collection

 

 

Penny

 

London

 

WMH-7676:  Henry IV House of Lancaster Medieval Hammered Silver Penny.  Light coinage of 1412-13, London mint, pellet and annulet by crown, Spink 1733.  A very coin for any mint but particularly for London.  Further, this is numismatically even more significant in that it’s a contemporary counterfeit: a copy made at the time, in this instance with remarkably good quality dies, but underweight thus allowing the counterfeiters to make nearly two pennies out of one penny’s worth of silver.  Scale that up and it becomes an attractive proposition, until, perhaps, you realise that if you got caught doing this, you’d more than likely lose a hand – literally – as punishment.  I have never seen a contemporary counterfeit Henry IV penny before.  This has been in the possession of the renowned numismatic researcher Jon Mann for several years who had not seen another either.  A great rarity.  £845

 

 

Durham

 

WMH-7222:  Henry IV Hammered Silver Penny.  Light Coinage issue of 1412-13 only.  [+hENR]ICVS RE[X ANGLIE] legend with excellent portrait showing the typical Henry IV bush hair as well as the clear trefoil on the breast with pellet terminals and a partial missing foot as the trefoil has slipped.  Durham mint - [CIVI] TA[S] DVn OL[M].  0.88 grams, 17mm.  Lord Stewartby states that whilst production of gold throughout the reign of Richard II remained constant, silver was somewhat erratic and far from prolific – silver coins headed for the Continent in huge numbers as silver was worth more there than in the UK.  Under Henry IV it was far more of an issue.  Easter 1412 witnessed a numismatic landmark – the new “Light” coinage was introduced.  Also in Easter of 1412, the value of silver bullion increased.  Of the meagre coinage left, what you tend to see of Henry IV coinage (if you’re lucky enough to see any at all!) is coinage worn and clipped to within an inch of its life.  Enough legend remains on this coin to make it unambiguously Henry IV, Durham.  This is one of the best grade Henry IV pennies I have seen.  I was following a Henry IV penny, in similar grade, in a recent London auction.  Whilst the estimate was a come and get me (approximate) £400-£500, the hammer was more than the full asking price on this coin, and that was BEFORE the 25-30% buyer’s commission that auction houses currently charge.  This coin is definitely one of the best examples of a Henry IV penny that I have offered for sale.  A very rare coin, particularly so in this grade.  £1,175

 

 

Halfpenny

 

WMH-8070:  Henry IV Medieval House of Lancaster Hammered Silver Halfpenny.  Heavy coinage, 1399-1412, London, later large bust so towards the latter part of that date range, Spink 1724.  During the entire reign of Henry IV, but particularly the Heavy Coinage, gold was in short supply (just £45,000 bullion for this 13 year period) but silver coinage was much more seriously impacted with only £1,750 of silver being available up to Michaelmus 1408, with nothing thereafter.  Further, not only was hardly any Heavy Coinage silver issued, but what was issued was literally worth more than its face value and so ended up on the Continent where it was melted down.  This imbalance straddled the very tail end of Edward III, continuing up to and including the first issue of Henry V, although the Henry IV period, particularly the Heavy Coinage, was the worst affected.  If you're after a jolly good portrait piece of the iconic Henry IV, look no further!  Outstanding.  Ex Mike Vosper ticket.  £795

 

 

 

Henry V (1413-22) Read about Henry V.

 

 

Hammered Silver

 

Groat

 

WMH-6916:  Henry V (Battle of Agincourt fame) Hammered Silver Medieval Groat.  1413 – 1422, class C, Spink 1765.  Henry V of the Battle of Agincourt fame: I pray thee, wish not one man more. By Jove, I am not covetous for gold, Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost; It yearns me not if men my garments wear; Such outward things dwell not in my desires: But if it be a sin to covet honour, I am the most offending soul alive.  This is obviously Shakespeare's interpretation on Henry's St Crispin's Day speech but it's generally believed that Henry V gave a rousing speech to his men, who, remember, were vastly outnumbered, just before they defeated the French.   London mint.  £375

 

WMH-8071:  Henry IV and V Medieval House of Lancaster Hammered Silver Groat.  A great rarity - Henry IV final class III obverse die (Spink 1728) muled with a Henry V initial class A London reverse die (Spink 1759), resulting in a mule / hybrid (but most importantly, with the Henry IV obverse), listed as Spink 1760.  A coin with a foot very much in two camps: clearly issued under Henry V, right at the very start of the reign (note the lombardic n's on the reverse) but with an actual obverse die used at the very end of the Henry IV reign.  During the entire reign of Henry IV, but particularly the Heavy Coinage, gold was in short supply (just £45,000 bullion for this 13 year period) but silver coinage was much more seriously impacted with only £1,750 of silver being available up to Michaelmus 1408, with nothing thereafter.  Further, not only was hardly any Heavy Coinage silver issued, but what was issued was literally worth more than its face value and so ended up on the Continent where it was melted down.  This imbalance straddled the very tail end of Edward III, continuing up to and including the first issue of Henry V, although the Henry IV period, particularly the Heavy Coinage, was the worst affected, especially groats which were extremely thin on the ground back than and like hens' teeth today.  As a Henry IV groat, this is obviously exceptionally rare; as a Henry V groat , this is the very rarest of all the x11 different types, including the emaciated bust variety.  Provenance back to almost x70 years ago with a rather impressive name in the coin collecting community having had this very coin in his collection - P. W. P. Carlyon-Britton.  See Henry IV section above

Provenance:

Ex P. W. P. Carlyon-Britton (November 1958)

Ex P.D.R. (Lot 84, 1995)

Ex Tim Owen

 

WMH-8104:  Henry IV / V Hammered Silver Medieval SCOWLING BUST Groat.  Light coinage, London mint, type B2a (there is now uncertainty as to whether types A and B of Henry V should be given to Henry IV), initial mark Cross Pattée, no fleurs over the crown and Quatrefoil after hENRIC - Spink 1762B.  There is an interesting mention of this very coin in BNJ 1997 (50), p.26.  See old tickets here and information sheet here.  High grade, impeccable provenance - Choice.  See Henry IV section above

Provenance:

ex D. Mangaki collection...

Purchased from Seaby 1956

ex Margaret Delmé Radcliffe collection...

Dispersed Glendining's Action (1985)

Ex North Yorkshire Moor collection...

Dispersed DN W Action (2019)

Ex Mike Vosper (2019 - £1,250 ticket price)

 

 

Penny

 

London

 

WMH-8081:  Henry V Medieval Hammered Silver Penny.  Initial mark Cross Pattée, London mint, mullet & broken annulet by crown, class C, Spink 1778.  Henry V of the Battle of Agincourt fame: I pray thee, wish not one man more. By Jove, I am not covetous for gold, Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost; It yearns me not if men my garments wear; Such outward things dwell not in my desires: But if it be a sin to covet honour, I am the most offending soul alive.  This is obviously Shakespeare's interpretation on Henry's St Crispin's Day speech but it's generally believed that Henry V gave a rousing speech to his men, who, remember, were vastly outnumbered, just before they defeated the French.   Centrally struck both sides, minimal clipping, strong detail throughout - an outstanding example from a fairly poor issue.  £375

 

 

 

York

 

WMH-7269:  Henry V Medieval Hammered Silver Penny.  Class F, York mint, Spink 1788.  Henry V of the Battle of Agincourt fame: I pray thee, wish not one man more. By Jove, I am not covetous for gold, Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost; It yearns me not if men my garments wear; Such outward things dwell not in my desires: But if it be a sin to covet honour, I am the most offending soul alive.  This is obviously Shakespeare's interpretation on Henry's St Crispin's Day speech but it's generally believed that Henry V gave a rousing speech to his men, who, remember, were vastly outnumbered, just before they defeated the French.   Generally a poor issue with little effort put into the dies or indeed the end product.  This coin is much above average for issue.  £185

 

WMH-8059:  An Excellent Henry V Long Cross Hammered Silver Penny.  Initial mark Pierced Cross, York mint, mullet & lis by crown, annulet in reverse quarter - Spink 1791.  For a York mint coin, this is a remarkable, bordering on exceptional example, all the more so because this coin was struck from LOCAL DIES.  I have only ever had London mint coins as good as this before.  Henry V of the Battle of Agincourt fame: I pray thee, wish not one man more. By Jove, I am not covetous for gold, Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost; It yearns me not if men my garments wear; Such outward things dwell not in my desires: But if it be a sin to covet honour, I am the most offending soul alive.  This is obviously Shakespeare's interpretation on Henry's St Crispin's Day speech but it's generally believed that Henry V gave a rousing speech to his men, who, remember, were vastly outnumbered, just before they defeated the French.   Centrally struck both sides, good legends, minor clipping only, strong detail throughout.  This would have stood out when it was minted in amongst all the other coins that were poorly struck and from indifferent local dies.  Rare.  £385 RESERVED (M.He.30-4-24 Lay-Away)

 

WMH-8082:  Henry V Medieval Hammered Silver Penny.  Initial mark Cross Pattée, York mint, mullet & broken annulet by crown, class C, Spink 1778.  Henry V of the Battle of Agincourt fame: I pray thee, wish not one man more. By Jove, I am not covetous for gold, Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost; It yearns me not if men my garments wear; Such outward things dwell not in my desires: But if it be a sin to covet honour, I am the most offending soul alive.  This is obviously Shakespeare's interpretation on Henry's St Crispin's Day speech but it's generally believed that Henry V gave a rousing speech to his men, who, remember, were vastly outnumbered, just before they defeated the French.   Ex Dr Martin Allen academic collection.  £275

 

WMH-8083:  Henry V Medieval Hammered Silver Penny.  Initial mark Pierced Cross, York mint, mullet & trefoil by crown, class F, Spink 1788.  Henry V of the Battle of Agincourt fame: I pray thee, wish not one man more. By Jove, I am not covetous for gold, Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost; It yearns me not if men my garments wear; Such outward things dwell not in my desires: But if it be a sin to covet honour, I am the most offending soul alive.  This is obviously Shakespeare's interpretation on Henry's St Crispin's Day speech but it's generally believed that Henry V gave a rousing speech to his men, who, remember, were vastly outnumbered, just before they defeated the French.   Centrally struck both sides, some clipping, strong detail throughout - an outstanding portrait piece from a fairly poor issue.  £295

 

WMH-8094:  An Excellent Henry V Long Cross Hammered Silver Penny.  Initial mark Pierced Cross, York mint, mullet & lis by crown, initial mark Pierced Cross, annulet in reverse quarter - Spink 1791.  For a York mint coin, this is a remarkable, bordering on exceptional example, all the more so because this coin was struck from LOCAL DIES.  I have only ever had London mint coins as good as this before.  Henry V of the Battle of Agincourt fame: I pray thee, wish not one man more. By Jove, I am not covetous for gold, Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost; It yearns me not if men my garments wear; Such outward things dwell not in my desires: But if it be a sin to covet honour, I am the most offending soul alive.  This is obviously Shakespeare's interpretation on Henry's St Crispin's Day speech but it's generally believed that Henry V gave a rousing speech to his men, who, remember, were vastly outnumbered, just before they defeated the French.   Centrally struck both sides, good legends, minor clipping only, strong detail throughout.  This would have stood out when it was minted in amongst all the other coins that were poorly struck and from indifferent local dies.  Rare.  £385

 

 

 

Durham

 

WMH-7644:  Henry V Medieval Hammered Silver Long Cross Penny.   House of Lancaster, Durham mint, class G with a mullet and lis by the crown.  Spink 1791.  Henry V of the Battle of Agincourt fame: I pray thee, wish not one man more. By Jove, I am not covetous for gold, Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost; It yearns me not if men my garments wear; Such outward things dwell not in my desires: But if it be a sin to covet honour, I am the most offending soul alive.  This is obviously Shakespeare's interpretation on Henry's St Crispin's Day speech but it's generally believed that Henry V gave a rousing speech to his men, who, remember, were vastly outnumbered, just before they defeated the French.   An unusually good grade and pleasing example for any mint of Henry V penny, but particularly the northern mints with local dies in use.  £225

 

WMH-8164:  Henry V Medieval Hammered Silver Penny.  House of Lancaster, Durham mint, class C with a mullet and worn broken annulet by the crown.  Most importantly, the quatrefoil at the end of the legend is very clear.  Spink 1782.  Henry V of the Battle of Agincourt fame: I pray thee, wish not one man more. By Jove, I am not covetous for gold, Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost; It yearns me not if men my garments wear; Such outward things dwell not in my desires: But if it be a sin to covet honour, I am the most offending soul alive.  This is obviously Shakespeare's interpretation on Henry's St Crispin's Day speech but it's generally believed that Henry V gave a rousing speech to his men, who, remember, were vastly outnumbered, just before they defeated the French.   Much above average grade for any mint of Henry V penny, but particularly the northern mints - more so Durham - with local dies in use.  £395

 

 

 

Halfpenny