Crowned bust holding sceptre/Cross pommee

S1182; 20mm, 1.37g

A reasonable portrait, unknown mint.

This coin is recorded with the Early Medieval Coinage database.

Stephen and ‘The Anarchy’ 1135-1154A.D: The reign of Stephen and the civil strife that gripped the country from 1135-53 is perhaps best described by paraphrasing the Anglo-Saxon chronicle’s entry for the year 1137:

‘I know not how to tell of all the atrocities nor all the cruelties wrought upon the unhappy people of this country. They lasted throughout the nineteen long winters that Stephen was King. Never did a country endure greater misery. Wherever the earth was tilled the earth bore no corn, and men said that Christ and His saints slept.’

Bleak reading, indeed.

With Stephen on one side and the so-called ‘Angevin party’ of Henry I’s daughter Matilda and her son Henry (the future Henry II) on the other, both sides were fighting for the right to succeed to the English Crown. Abounding with stories of internecine warfare, foreign invasion, crime and societal breakdown, it is perhaps no surprise that this period has come to be known colloquially as ‘The Anarchy’. Amongst the death and famine which ravaged the land, mint towns, moneyers and the coins they produced were at the centre of this struggle as both sides vied for superiority; troops paid and equipped, loyalties bought, day-to-day commerce maintained and taxes levied.

Coins struck in the name of Stephen are the most commonly encountered from this period, though many of these are poorly struck and of bad quality. Comparably with the English Civil War of the 1640s, many hoards were deposited in these troubled times: those discovered at Watford, Prestwich, Wicklewood, Awbridge and Portsdown are just a few of the best known. Pieces are also encountered struck in the name of Matilda and her son Henry, who maintained her power base in the south-west of England thanks in part to the military prowess of her half-brother Robert, Earl of Gloucester. Intriguingly, we also see during this period the existence of coins struck from deliberately defaced dies – which some numismatists have interpreted as the product of moneyers scared to be seen actively declaring for either side. Perhaps indicating how desperate the situation had become and the extent of power ebbing away from the King himself, coins even began to be struck by powerful magnates in the Southwest and North of England. Prominent nobles like Robert, Earl of Gloucester (see above), Robert de Stuteville and Eustace Fitzjohn all came to the fore in this respect – pieces issued by these individuals often commanding extremely high premiums.

Given the upheaval and conflict this is a particularly rich period for numismatic history, and certainly ripe for new discoveries. Unpublished pieces come to academic attention on virtually a monthly basis – primarily thanks to the efforts of metal detectorists. While coins from ‘The Anarchy’ are perhaps not the most aesthetically pleasing they are certainly laden with the weight of history, silent witnesses to the chronic adversity endured by the people who used them in daily life.

The post Stephen AD 1135-1154 Silver Penny Awbridge Type appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Crowned bust facing with annulet to each side/Cross fleury

Lincoln

S1263; 19mm, 1.33g

Cracked horizontally across coin, see photos.

This coin comes with rough find area provenance.

Henry I – Following the death of William Rufus, his younger brother Henry claimed the thrown of England. Notably, there was a period of monetary crisis during the reign, which led to a public lack of confidence in the quality of the coinage minted. The obverse for portrays a crowned bust, three-quarters to the right, holding a sceptre in right hand, with three stars in the field; the reverse a cross potent over a saltire cross, with annulet-quatrefoils at the end of each of the angular limbs.

The post Henry I AD 1100-1135 Silver Penny Annulets Type Lincoln appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Facing bust / Cross fleury

London

S1271; 18mm, 1.29g

This coin comes with rough find area provenance.

Henry I – Following the death of William Rufus, his younger brother Henry claimed the thrown of England. Notably, there was a period of monetary crisis during the reign, which led to a public lack of confidence in the quality of the coinage minted. The obverse for portrays a crowned bust, three-quarters to the right, holding a sceptre in right hand, with three stars in the field; the reverse a cross potent over a saltire cross, with annulet-quatrefoils at the end of each of the angular limbs.

The post Henry I AD 1100-1135 Silver Penny London appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Watford / Cross Moline type

Crowned bust right holding sceptre/Cross Moline

Unknown Mint

S1278; 20mm, 1.29g

Comes with rough find area provenance.

Stephen and ‘The Anarchy’ 1135-1154A.D: The reign of Stephen and the civil strife that gripped the country from 1135-53 is perhaps best described by paraphrasing the Anglo-Saxon chronicle’s entry for the year 1137:

‘I know not how to tell of all the atrocities nor all the cruelties wrought upon the unhappy people of this country. They lasted throughout the nineteen long winters that Stephen was King. Never did a country endure greater misery. Wherever the earth was tilled the earth bore no corn, and men said that Christ and His saints slept.’

Bleak reading, indeed.

With Stephen on one side and the so-called ‘Angevin party’ of Henry I’s daughter Matilda and her son Henry (the future Henry II) on the other, both sides were fighting for the right to succeed to the English Crown. Abounding with stories of internecine warfare, foreign invasion, crime and societal breakdown, it is perhaps no surprise that this period has come to be known colloquially as ‘The Anarchy’. Amongst the death and famine which ravaged the land, mint towns, moneyers and the coins they produced were at the centre of this struggle as both sides vied for superiority; troops paid and equipped, loyalties bought, day-to-day commerce maintained and taxes levied.

Coins struck in the name of Stephen are the most commonly encountered from this period, though many of these are poorly struck and of bad quality. Comparably with the English Civil War of the 1640s, many hoards were deposited in these troubled times: those discovered at Watford, Prestwich, Wicklewood, Awbridge and Portsdown are just a few of the best known. Pieces are also encountered struck in the name of Matilda and her son Henry, who maintained her power base in the south-west of England thanks in part to the military prowess of her half-brother Robert, Earl of Gloucester. Intriguingly, we also see during this period the existence of coins struck from deliberately defaced dies – which some numismatists have interpreted as the product of moneyers scared to be seen actively declaring for either side. Perhaps indicating how desperate the situation had become and the extent of power ebbing away from the King himself, coins even began to be struck by powerful magnates in the Southwest and North of England. Prominent nobles like Robert, Earl of Gloucester (see above), Robert de Stuteville and Eustace Fitzjohn all came to the fore in this respect – pieces issued by these individuals often commanding extremely high premiums.

Given the upheaval and conflict this is a particularly rich period for numismatic history, and certainly ripe for new discoveries. Unpublished pieces come to academic attention on virtually a monthly basis – primarily thanks to the efforts of metal detectorists. While coins from ‘The Anarchy’ are perhaps not the most aesthetically pleasing they are certainly laden with the weight of history, silent witnesses to the chronic adversity endured by the people who used them in daily life.

The post Stephen AD 1135-1154 Silver Penny appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Profile / Cross fleury

Gloucester / Godwine

S1263A; 18mm, 1.33g

This coin comes with rough find area provenance and is recorded with the EMC database held at the Fitzwilliam museum, Cambridge.

A nice example with strong detail.

View Video Here

Henry I – Following the death of William Rufus, his younger brother Henry claimed the thrown of England. Notably, there was a period of monetary crisis during the reign, which led to a public lack of confidence in the quality of the coinage minted. The obverse for portrays a crowned bust, three-quarters to the right, holding a sceptre in right hand, with three stars in the field; the reverse a cross potent over a saltire cross, with annulet-quatrefoils at the end of each of the angular limbs.

The post Henry I AD 1100-1135 Silver Penny Profile / Cross fleury Gloucester appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Facing bust with sceptre left/Quadrilateral on cross fleury

Alfwine, mint unknown dur to weak striking.

S1276; 19mm, 0.98g

This coin comes with a previous handwritten collectors label.

Henry I – Following the death of William Rufus, his younger brother Henry claimed the thrown of England. Notably, there was a period of monetary crisis during the reign, which led to a public lack of confidence in the quality of the coinage minted. The obverse for portrays a crowned bust, three-quarters to the right, holding a sceptre in right hand, with three stars in the field; the reverse a cross potent over a saltire cross, with annulet-quatrefoils at the end of each of the angular limbs.

The post Henry I AD 1100-1135 Silver Penny Type XV appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Southern Variants

Crowned bust right holding sceptre. King wears collar of annulets/Voided Cross Moline, annulet at centre

Southampton / Sanson

S1295, 17mm, 1.08g

Stephen and ‘The Anarchy’ 1135-1154A.D: The reign of Stephen and the civil strife that gripped the country from 1135-53 is perhaps best described by paraphrasing the Anglo-Saxon chronicle’s entry for the year 1137:

‘I know not how to tell of all the atrocities nor all the cruelties wrought upon the unhappy people of this country. They lasted throughout the nineteen long winters that Stephen was King. Never did a country endure greater misery. Wherever the earth was tilled the earth bore no corn, and men said that Christ and His saints slept.’

Bleak reading, indeed.

With Stephen on one side and the so-called ‘Angevin party’ of Henry I’s daughter Matilda and her son Henry (the future Henry II) on the other, both sides were fighting for the right to succeed to the English Crown. Abounding with stories of internecine warfare, foreign invasion, crime and societal breakdown, it is perhaps no surprise that this period has come to be known colloquially as ‘The Anarchy’. Amongst the death and famine which ravaged the land, mint towns, moneyers and the coins they produced were at the centre of this struggle as both sides vied for superiority; troops paid and equipped, loyalties bought, day-to-day commerce maintained and taxes levied.

Coins struck in the name of Stephen are the most commonly encountered from this period, though many of these are poorly struck and of bad quality. Comparably with the English Civil War of the 1640s, many hoards were deposited in these troubled times: those discovered at Watford, Prestwich, Wicklewood, Awbridge and Portsdown are just a few of the best known. Pieces are also encountered struck in the name of Matilda and her son Henry, who maintained her power base in the south-west of England thanks in part to the military prowess of her half-brother Robert, Earl of Gloucester. Intriguingly, we also see during this period the existence of coins struck from deliberately defaced dies – which some numismatists have interpreted as the product of moneyers scared to be seen actively declaring for either side. Perhaps indicating how desperate the situation had become and the extent of power ebbing away from the King himself, coins even began to be struck by powerful magnates in the Southwest and North of England. Prominent nobles like Robert, Earl of Gloucester (see above), Robert de Stuteville and Eustace Fitzjohn all came to the fore in this respect – pieces issued by these individuals often commanding extremely high premiums.

Given the upheaval and conflict this is a particularly rich period for numismatic history, and certainly ripe for new discoveries. Unpublished pieces come to academic attention on virtually a monthly basis – primarily thanks to the efforts of metal detectorists. While coins from ‘The Anarchy’ are perhaps not the most aesthetically pleasing they are certainly laden with the weight of history, silent witnesses to the chronic adversity endured by the people who used them in daily life.

The post Stephen AD 1135-1154 Silver Penny Watford varient appeared first on Silbury Coins.

PAXS type

Crowned bust facing/Cross with PAXS in angles

Winchester / Wimund

S1257, 19mm, 1..37g

Comes with previous collectors label

View Video Here

William I ‘The Conqueror’ 1066-1087A.D.

Following the death of childless Edward the Confessor in 1066, the English throne was seized by the powerful Earl Harold Godwinson; a man who had endured a period of disfavour and exile in the 1050’s. He claimed, although uncorroborated, that Edward had named him his successor on his deathbed. William, Duke of Normandy, sometimes known as ‘the Bastard’ (a distant relative of Edward) also asserted his legitimacy – claiming that following Harold’s exile, Edward had named him as successor to the Crown. When William landed a large force at Pevensey, Harold led a forced march south from Stamford Bridge to meet defeat near Hastings. This is perhaps the best-known event in English history, one vividly commemorated by the Bayeux Tapestry.

William moved quickly to exert control over England, though after 1072 he would spend the majority of his time in France. Measures he introduced include the imposition of Forest Law, setting aside large tracts of land (such as the New Forest) for hunting by the aristocracy, as well as the construction of numerous castles to maintain order. Despite this, the years following his conquest saw a number of rebellions – all brutally repressed. The infamous ‘Harrying of the North’ through 1069-70 saw a scorched earth policy applied to the northern shires, which killed thousands and destroyed local infrastructure. The chronicler Orderic Vitalis wrote thus;

“In his anger, he commanded that all crops, herd, and food of any kind be brought together and burnt to ashes so that the whole region north of the Humber be deprived of any sustenance.”

The social impact of these reprisals was huge, by the time of the Domesday survey in 1085-6 the vast majority of land not directly owned by William was controlled by Norman tenants.

Spending his last years defending England from Scottish and Danish incursions, accounts vary regarding his death in 1087 during a military campaign in France. One relates that during the siege of Mantes, he was mortally wounded when his horse abruptly reared up – slamming the saddle pommel into his now prodigious gut and rupturing his intestines. William would die in agony a week later, though even his funeral was beset by misfortune and high drama. The service at Caen was first interrupted by a wronged citizen, claiming that the church in which it was taking place had been built on his stolen land. A second, final insult occurred when the body was interred; the tomb was too small and attendants were forced to squeeze it into the space. Due to improper embalming, it is reported to have exploded at this juncture. Somewhere perhaps, the ghost of Harold Godwinson was having the last laugh.

William’s coins are blatant promotions of his power and legitimacy. For example, the ‘canopy’ type penny (BMC type III) celebrates William’s second coronation by the papal legate in 1070, while the ‘bonnet’ and ‘two stars’ type pennies (BMC types II and V) are thought to reference the appearance of Halley’s comet in 1066 – a random celestial event duly propagandised as signalling divine approval of his rule. The design of the ‘two sceptres’ penny (BMC type IV) perhaps alludes to William’s dual rule as King of England and Duke of Normandy. Lastly, given the violence he subjected others to in life and the gruesome circumstances of his death it is perhaps ironic that his last coinage (BMC type VIII, struck c. 1086-1088) is known as the ‘PAXS’ (peace) type.

The post William The Conqueror AD 1066-1087 Silver Penny PAXS type Winchester appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Crowned bust facing/Cross, PAXS in angles

S1257, 20mm, 1.37g. Good metal and central strike, clear portrait, legends a little weak.

This coin comes with previous handwritten labels and is ex R C Lockett collection.

View Video Here

William I ‘The Conqueror’ 1066-1087A.D.

Following the death of childless Edward the Confessor in 1066, the English throne was seized by the powerful Earl Harold Godwinson; a man who had endured a period of disfavour and exile in the 1050’s. He claimed, although uncorroborated, that Edward had named him his successor on his deathbed. William, Duke of Normandy, sometimes known as ‘the Bastard’ (a distant relative of Edward) also asserted his legitimacy – claiming that following Harold’s exile, Edward had named him as successor to the Crown. When William landed a large force at Pevensey, Harold led a forced march south from Stamford Bridge to meet defeat near Hastings. This is perhaps the best-known event in English history, one vividly commemorated by the Bayeux Tapestry.

William moved quickly to exert control over England, though after 1072 he would spend the majority of his time in France. Measures he introduced include the imposition of Forest Law, setting aside large tracts of land (such as the New Forest) for hunting by the aristocracy, as well as the construction of numerous castles to maintain order. Despite this, the years following his conquest saw a number of rebellions – all brutally repressed. The infamous ‘Harrying of the North’ through 1069-70 saw a scorched earth policy applied to the northern shires, which killed thousands and destroyed local infrastructure. The chronicler Orderic Vitalis wrote thus;

“In his anger, he commanded that all crops, herd, and food of any kind be brought together and burnt to ashes so that the whole region north of the Humber be deprived of any sustenance.”

The social impact of these reprisals was huge, by the time of the Domesday survey in 1085-6 the vast majority of land not directly owned by William was controlled by Norman tenants.

Spending his last years defending England from Scottish and Danish incursions, accounts vary regarding his death in 1087 during a military campaign in France. One relates that during the siege of Mantes, he was mortally wounded when his horse abruptly reared up – slamming the saddle pommel into his now prodigious gut and rupturing his intestines. William would die in agony a week later, though even his funeral was beset by misfortune and high drama. The service at Caen was first interrupted by a wronged citizen, claiming that the church in which it was taking place had been built on his stolen land. A second, final insult occurred when the body was interred; the tomb was too small and attendants were forced to squeeze it into the space. Due to improper embalming, it is reported to have exploded at this juncture. Somewhere perhaps, the ghost of Harold Godwinson was having the last laugh.

William’s coins are blatant promotions of his power and legitimacy. For example, the ‘canopy’ type penny (BMC type III) celebrates William’s second coronation by the papal legate in 1070, while the ‘bonnet’ and ‘two stars’ type pennies (BMC types II and V) are thought to reference the appearance of Halley’s comet in 1066 – a random celestial event duly propagandised as signalling divine approval of his rule. The design of the ‘two sceptres’ penny (BMC type IV) perhaps alludes to William’s dual rule as King of England and Duke of Normandy. Lastly, given the violence he subjected others to in life and the gruesome circumstances of his death it is perhaps ironic that his last coinage (BMC type VIII, struck c. 1086-1088) is known as the ‘PAXS’ (peace) type.

The post William I The Conqueror AD 1066-1087 Silver Penny, Paxs type Warwick mint ex Lockett appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Facing bust/ PAXS in angles.

S1257, 19mm, 1.35g

View Video Here

William I ‘The Conqueror’ 1066-1087A.D.

Following the death of childless Edward the Confessor in 1066, the English throne was seized by the powerful Earl Harold Godwinson; a man who had endured a period of disfavour and exile in the 1050’s. He claimed, although uncorroborated, that Edward had named him his successor on his deathbed. William, Duke of Normandy, sometimes known as ‘the Bastard’ (a distant relative of Edward) also asserted his legitimacy – claiming that following Harold’s exile, Edward had named him as successor to the Crown. When William landed a large force at Pevensey, Harold led a forced march south from Stamford Bridge to meet defeat near Hastings. This is perhaps the best-known event in English history, one vividly commemorated by the Bayeux Tapestry.

William moved quickly to exert control over England, though after 1072 he would spend the majority of his time in France. Measures he introduced include the imposition of Forest Law, setting aside large tracts of land (such as the New Forest) for hunting by the aristocracy, as well as the construction of numerous castles to maintain order. Despite this, the years following his conquest saw a number of rebellions – all brutally repressed. The infamous ‘Harrying of the North’ through 1069-70 saw a scorched earth policy applied to the northern shires, which killed thousands and destroyed local infrastructure. The chronicler Orderic Vitalis wrote thus;

“In his anger, he commanded that all crops, herd, and food of any kind be brought together and burnt to ashes so that the whole region north of the Humber be deprived of any sustenance.”

The social impact of these reprisals was huge, by the time of the Domesday survey in 1085-6 the vast majority of land not directly owned by William was controlled by Norman tenants.

Spending his last years defending England from Scottish and Danish incursions, accounts vary regarding his death in 1087 during a military campaign in France. One relates that during the siege of Mantes, he was mortally wounded when his horse abruptly reared up – slamming the saddle pommel into his now prodigious gut and rupturing his intestines. William would die in agony a week later, though even his funeral was beset by misfortune and high drama. The service at Caen was first interrupted by a wronged citizen, claiming that the church in which it was taking place had been built on his stolen land. A second, final insult occurred when the body was interred; the tomb was too small and attendants were forced to squeeze it into the space. Due to improper embalming, it is reported to have exploded at this juncture. Somewhere perhaps, the ghost of Harold Godwinson was having the last laugh.

William’s coins are blatant promotions of his power and legitimacy. For example, the ‘canopy’ type penny (BMC type III) celebrates William’s second coronation by the papal legate in 1070, while the ‘bonnet’ and ‘two stars’ type pennies (BMC types II and V) are thought to reference the appearance of Halley’s comet in 1066 – a random celestial event duly propagandised as signalling divine approval of his rule. The design of the ‘two sceptres’ penny (BMC type IV) perhaps alludes to William’s dual rule as King of England and Duke of Normandy. Lastly, given the violence he subjected others to in life and the gruesome circumstances of his death it is perhaps ironic that his last coinage (BMC type VIII, struck c. 1086-1088) is known as the ‘PAXS’ (peace) type.

The post William The Conqueror AD 1066-1087 Silver Penny Paxs type, Bristol appeared first on Silbury Coins.