Medieval Hammered Farthings

Edward IV - Hammered Farthings

Edward IV (1442-1483)

On 4 March 1461, Edward Duke of York ascended the throne of England, and ruled until 1483, with the exception of a brief period between October 1470 and April 1471 when Henry VI was restored to the throne. "The latter part of his reign was disturbed by domestic troubles; and his indulgence in luxury and vicious pleasures brought on a premature death". 1

Edward IV’s coinage reflects a significant monetary adjustment, notably a moderate reduction in weight of all new coins in 1464 from a heavy to a light standard. This was not a profit-making reduction, but merely reflected the rising price of precious metal, and brought the new coin into line with the weight of old worn coin previously current. These adjustments were essential to ease the deflationary effects of the ever-rising value of silver.

The classification presented below is derived from a comprehensive die study undertaken in 2026, encompassing all recorded specimens of Edward IV farthings. The results diverge in several significant respects from the framework established in "The Galata Guide to Small Change". 2

Historical Context

Three issues of farthings are attributed to his reign:
· Heavy coinage (1461-64) and the
· Light coinage (1464-70) of his first reign
· and the coinage of his second reign (1471–1483)...
In the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, the shortage of small change in circulation continued to be a problem, so in addition to English halfpennies and farthings, Venetian galley-halfpennies were also tolerated. There is also some hoard evidence that lead tokens may have been used as small change, particularly in taverns. The lack of small change had wider economic consequences. Evidence indicates that difficulties in meeting everyday financial obligations were not always due to poverty, but rather to a lack of readily available cash, especially among the peasantry. 3
An indenture of 23 May 1461, authorised Thomas Montgomery at the Tower mint to produce gold and silver coins (the silver at 11 oz 2 dwt fine).
On 13 August 1464, there was an indenture with William, Lord Hastings, master worker, to produce gold and silver coins at the Tower, Calais and Ireland. The weight of silver in each coin was reduced (commencing the production of the "Light coinage"). This indenture specifically calls out all the denominations to be produced, including farthings
An indenture of 1465 authorised the production of silver coins in Ireland, including farthings, at a reduced weight (and lower than the same denominations in England). No silver farthings of Edward IV struck in Ireland in response to this indenture are known.
On 6 March 1465 a new indenture with William , Lord Hastings, was issued. Farthings were specified as part of the silver coinage to be produced - at the same weight as specified in the indenture of 1464. A record of the pyx trial shows that farthings were not only ordered but were actually struck.
On 2 March 1469 a new indenture with Lord Hastings was issued. Again authorising farthings are part of all the denominations to be struck.
Edward IV's second reign commenced on 11 April 1471, following a brief time when Henry VI was restored to the English throne. Edward removed Henry VI's master-worker at the Tower mint and William, Lord Hastings resumed the role. On 23 February 1472, an indenture was issued which included the production of farthings. The pierced cross mintmark, also referred to as the "Restoration Cross" mintmark had been used on the coinage of Henry VI's second reign, and it continued to be used on the earliest coins of Edward IV's second reign. 4
On 3 February 1477 and indenture was issued to Lord Hastings, including farthing production.
On 12 February 1483, Edward's last indenture regarding the Tower mint was issued, including farthings production, appointing Bartholomew Reed as the new Master of the Mint.
All known examples of Edward IV farthings were struck at the Tower mint in London. In an article by Dr. Rogers he states that "the Norwich mint struck halfpennies for a long enough period to justify the expense of making new dies. If halfpennies were needed, there would also have been a demand for farthings". 5 So a detectorist may yet uncover a Norwich farthing.

Coin Characteristics: Heavy Coinage - Cross mintmark

  • Metal: Silver
  • Denomination: Farthing (¼ penny)
  • Mint(s): London
  • Obverse: Crowned bust, i.m. Cross
  • Reverse: Long cross with 3 pellets in each quarter
  • Coin diameter: 11mm
  • Inner circle diameter: 6mm
  • Weight: 0.19g-0.26g

Coin Examples - Pellets either side of crown & Lis on breast

Edward IV Farthing Obverse Type 1.1 Edward IV Farthing Reverse Type A
Edward IV

Year(s): 1461-1464
Mint: London
Type: Heavy Coinage

Obverse: +EDWARD REX AnGLI
(Lis on breast - pellet either side of crown)
Legend translated: Edward King of England

Reverse: CIVITAS LOnDOn "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter and very small extra pellet in the TAS & DON quarters.

Dies: H1.1/A

Reference(s): Blunt I(b); N.1548/1; S.1994; Withers 1.1/a

Scarcity: Extremely rare

Guide Price: £450 (Fine) £1350 (Very Fine)

Edward IV Farthing Obverse Type 1.1 Edward IV Farthing Reverse Type B
Edward IV

Year(s): 1461-1464
Mint: London
Type: Heavy Coinage

Obverse: +EDWARD REX AnGLI
(Lis on breast - pellet either side of crown)
Legend translated: Edward King of England

Reverse: CIVITAS LOnDOn "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter and very small extra pellet in the LON & DON quarters.

Dies: H1.1/B

Reference(s): Blunt I(b); N.1548/1; S.1994; Withers 1.1 var

Scarcity: Extremely rare

Guide Price: £450 (Fine) £1350 (Very Fine)

Edward IV Farthing Obverse Type 1.1 Edward IV Farthing Reverse Type D
Edward IV

Year(s): 1461-1464
Mint: London
Type: Heavy Coinage

Obverse: +EDWARD REX AnGLI
(Lis on breast - pellet either side of crown)
Legend translated: Edward King of England

Reverse: CIVITAS LOnDOn "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter and very small extra pellet in the DON quarter.

Dies: H1.1/C

Reference(s): Blunt I(b); N.1548/1; S.1994; Withers 1.1 var

Scarcity: Extremely rare

Guide Price: £450 (Fine) £1350 (Very Fine)

Edward IV Farthing Obverse Type 1.1 Edward IV Farthing Reverse Type C
Edward IV

Year(s): 1461-1464
Mint: London
Type: Heavy Coinage

Obverse: +EDWARD REX AnGLI
(Lis on breast - pellet either side of crown)
Legend translated: Edward King of England

Reverse: CIVITAS LOnDOn "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter and no extra pellets.

Dies: H1.1/D

Reference(s): Blunt I(b); N.1548/1; S.1994; Withers 1.1 var

Scarcity: Extremely rare

Guide Price: £450 (Fine) £1350 (Very Fine)

Coin Examples - Pellets either side of crown & nothing on breast

Edward IV Farthing Obverse Type 2.1 Edward IV Farthing Reverse Type A
Edward IV

Year(s): 1461-1464
Mint: London
Type: Heavy Coinage

Obverse: +EDWARD R AnGLIx
(Pellet either side of crown)
Legend translated: Edward King of England

Reverse: CIVITAS LOnDOn "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter.

Dies: H2.1/A

Reference(s): Blunt - ; N.-; S.1994; Withers 2.1/a

Scarcity: Extremely rare

Guide Price: £450 (Fine) £1350 (Very Fine)

Coin Characteristics: Heavy Coinage - Rose mintmark

  • Metal: Silver
  • Denomination: Farthing (¼ penny)
  • Mint(s): London
  • Obverse: Crowned bust, i.m. Rose
  • Reverse: Long cross with 3 pellets in each quarter
  • Coin diameter: 11mm
  • Inner circle diameter: 6mm
  • Weight: 0.17g-0.24g

Coin Examples - No marks by bust

Edward IV Farthing Obverse Type 3.2 Edward IV Farthing Reverse Type B
Edward IV

Year(s): 1461-1464
Mint: London
Type: Heavy Coinage

Obverse: EDWARD DI' GRA REX
Legend translated: Edward by the grace of God, King

Reverse: CIVITAS LOnDOn "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter.

Dies: H3.2/B

Reference(s): Blunt -; N.1548/2; S.1994B III; Withers 3.2/b

Scarcity: Extremely rare

Guide Price: £450 (Fine) £1350 (Very Fine)

Edward IV Farthing Obverse Type 3.3 Edward IV Farthing Reverse Type C
Edward IV

Year(s): 1461-1464
Mint: London
Type: Heavy Coinage

Obverse: EDWARD DI' GRA REX
Legend translated: Edward by the grace of God, King

Reverse: CIVITAS LOnDOn "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter and extra pellet in the DON quarter.

Dies: H3.3/C

Reference(s): Blunt -; N.-; S.1994B III; Withers 3.3 var

Scarcity: Extremely rare

Guide Price: £450 (Fine) £1350 (Very Fine)

Edward IV Farthing Obverse Type 3.4 Edward IV Farthing Reverse Type D
Edward IV

Year(s): 1461-1464
Mint: London
Type: Heavy Coinage

Obverse: EDWARD DIx GRA REX
 Legend translated: Edward by the Grace of God, King of England

Reverse: CIVITAS LOnDOn "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter and extra pellet in LON quarter

Dies: H3.4/D

Reference(s): Blunt -; N.-; S.1994B III; Withers 3 var

Scarcity: Extremely rare

Guide Price: £450 (Fine) £1350 (Very Fine)

Edward IV Farthing Obverse Type 3.5 Edward IV Farthing Reverse Type B
Edward IV

Year(s): 1461-1464
Mint: London
Type: Heavy Coinage

Obverse: EDWARD REX AnGLI
 Legend translated: Edward King of England

Reverse: CIVITAS LOnDOn "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter

Dies: H3.5/B

Reference(s): Blunt -; N.-; S.1994B III; Withers 3 var

Scarcity: Extremely rare

Guide Price: £450 (Fine) £1350 (Very Fine)

Coin Examples - Saltire each side of bust

Edward IV Farthing Obverse Type 4.1 Edward IV Farthing Reverse Type A
Edward IV

Year(s): 1461-1464
Mint: London
Type: Heavy Coinage

Obverse: EDWARD DI GRA REX
Legend translated: Edward by the grace of God, King

Reverse: CIVITAS LOnDOn "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter.

Dies: H4.1/A

Reference(s): Blunt -; N.-; S.1994A II; Withers 4.1/a

Scarcity: Extremely rare

Guide Price: £475 (Fine) £1400 (Very Fine)

Edward IV Farthing Obverse Type 4.1 Edward IV Farthing Reverse Type B
Edward IV

Year(s): 1461-1464
Mint: London
Type: Heavy Coinage

Obverse: EDWARD DI GRA REX
 Legend translated: Edward by the Grace of God, King

Reverse: CIVITAS LOnDOn "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter and extra pellet in CIVI & LON quarters

Dies: H4.1/B

Reference(s): Blunt -; N.-; S.1994A II; Withers 4.1 var

Scarcity: Extremely rare

Guide Price: £475 (Fine) £1400 (Very Fine)

Edward IV Farthing Obverse Type 4.2 Edward IV Farthing Reverse Type A
Edward IV

Year(s): 1461-1464
Mint: London
Type: Heavy Coinage

Obverse: EDWARD DI GRAx RSX
(Pellet either side of crown - S instead of E in REX)
Legend translated: Edward by the Grace of God, King

Reverse: CIVITAS LOnDOn "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter.

Dies: H4.2/A

Reference(s): Blunt -; N.-; S.1994A II; Withers 4 var

Scarcity: Extremely rare

Guide Price: £475 (Fine) £1400 (Very Fine)

Coin Characteristics: Light Coinage - Crown mintmark

  • Metal: Silver
  • Denomination: Farthing (¼ penny)
  • Mint(s): London
  • Obverse: Crowned bust, i.m. Crown
  • Reverse: Long cross with 3 pellets in each quarter
  • Coin diameter: 11mm
  • Inner circle diameter: 6mm
  • Weight: 0.18g

Coin Examples - Trefoil each side of bust

Edward IV Farthing Obverse Type L1.1 Edward IV Farthing Reverse Type A
Edward IV

Year(s): 1464-1470
Mint: London
Type: Light Coinage

Obverse: EDWARD DI' GRA REX
Legend translated: Edward by the grace of God, King

Reverse: CIVITAS LOnDOn "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter.

Dies: L1.1/A

Reference(s): Blunt -; N.1612/1; S.2077; Withers 1.1/a

Scarcity: Extremely rare

Guide Price: £500 (Fine) £1500 (Very Fine)

Coin Characteristics: Second Reign Coinage - Pierced Cross mintmark

  • Metal: Silver
  • Denomination: Farthing (¼ penny)
  • Mint(s): London
  • Obverse: Crowned bust, i.m. Pierced cross
  • Reverse: Long cross with 3 pellets in each quarter
  • Coin diameter: 11mm
  • Inner circle diameter: 6mm
  • Weight: 0.18g-0.25g

Coin Examples - No marks by bust

Edward IV Farthing Obverse Type P1.1 Edward IV Farthing Reverse Type A
Edward IV

Year(s): 1470-1471
Mint: London
Type: Second Reign - Pierced Cross

Obverse: +EDWARD DI GRA REX
Legend translated: Edward by the grace of God, King

Reverse: CIVITAS LOnDOn "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter.

Dies: P1.1/A

Reference(s): Blunt -; N.-; S.-; Withers 1.1/a

Scarcity: Extremely rare

Guide Price: £750 (Fine) £4500 (Very Fine)

Edward IV Second Reign Farthing Obverse Type P1.2 Edward IV Second Reign Farthing Reverse Type B
Edward IV

Year(s): 1470-1471
Mint: London
Type: Second Reign - Pierced Cross

Obverse: +EDWARD DI GRA REX
Legend translated: Edward by the grace of God, King

Reverse: CIVITAS LOnDOn "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter and extra pellet in the TAS & DON quarters.

Dies: P.1.2/B

Reference(s): Blunt -; N.-; S.-; Withers 1.1 var

Scarcity: Extremely rare

Guide Price: £750 (Fine) £4500 (Very Fine)

Edward IV Second Reign Farthing Obverse Type P1.2 Edward IV Second Reign Farthing Reverse Type C
Edward IV

Year(s): 1470-1471
Mint: London
Type: Second Reign - Pierced Cross

Obverse: +EDWARD DI GRA
Legend translated: Edward by the grace of God

Reverse: CIVITAS LOnDOn "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter and extra pellet in DON quarter.

Dies: P1.2/C

Reference(s): Blunt -; N.-; S.-; Withers -

Scarcity: Extremely rare

Guide Price: £750 (Fine) £4500 (Very Fine)

Corpus of Coins

This corpus records all coins available for study or known from published sources, auction catalogues and FPLs. Within each section, obverse dies are designated by a type number and a sub-type number, and reverse dies by lower-case letters (e.g 1.2a). An asterisk (*) indicates that there is an illustration on this page of a representative example of that die combination. Recorded weights are given where available.

Abbreviations

  • Ash. — Ashmolean Museum
  • BM — British Museum
  • Fitz. — Fitzwilliam Museum
  • FPL — Fixed Price List
  • PC — Private Collections
  • wnr — weight not recorded
  • H — Heavy Coinage
  • L — Light Coinage
  • P — Second Reign (restored)
H1.1a:
+EDWARD REX AnGLI (Lis on breast - pellet either side of crown) / CIVITAS LOnDOn (extra pellets in the TAS & DON quarters)
1 PC; Ancients.info; wnr
2* Fitz.; wnr
3 PC; detectorist find, Caistor, Lincolnshire, 2012 (ref. UKDFD 39173); 0.26g/9h
H1.1b:
+EDWARD REX AnGLI (Lis on breast - pellet either side of crown) / CIVITAS LOnDOn (extra pellets in the LON & DON quarters)
4* PC; Facebook; wnr
H1.1c:
+EDWARD REX AnGLI (Lis on breast - pellet either side of crown) / CIVITAS LOnDOn (extra pellet in the DON quarter)
5* BM; ex. Evans > Spink > BM ref. E.238; 0.22g
6 BM; BM ref. 1915,0507.444 (acquired 1915); 0.19g
H1.1d:
+EDWARD REX AnGLI (Lis on breast - pellet either side of crown) / CIVITAS LOnDOn (no extra pellets)
7 PC; eBay > Campbell; wnr
8* PC; Mike Vosper, October 2007; 0.22g/1h
9 PC; eBay, July 2003; 0.20g/1h
10 PC; eBay; wnr
11 PC; eBay, September 2011; 0.23/5h
12 Ash.; SNC, vol. CI, no. 9, November 1993, item 7864 > Dr. D.J. Rogers > Ashmolean; 0.21g
13 PC; DNW, Sale 194, 7 September 2021, lot 126; 0.18g/1h
H2.1a:
+EDWARD R AnGLIx / CIVITAS LOnDOn (no extra pellets)
14* Ash.; Baldwin > D.J. Rogers > Ashmolean; 0.21g
H3.2b:
[rose]EDWARD DI' GRA RE[X] / CIVITAS LOnDOn (no extra pellets)
15* PC; CNG Coin Shop, item 735273 > Walker; 0.21g
H3.3c:
[rose]EDWARD DI GRA REX A / CIVITAS LOnDOn (extra pellet in DON quarter)
16* PC; SNC, vol. XCIX, no. 2, March 1990, item 992 > Clark; wnr
H3.4d:
[rose]EDWARD DI GRA REX / CIVITAS LOnDOn (extra pellet in LON quarter)
17* PC; Essex Coins, July 2019; 0.21g/7h
18 PC; Mike Vosper, October/November 2000, item 191; wnr
H3.5b:
[rose]EDWARD DI GRA REX / CIVITAS LOnDOn (no extra pellets)
19* PC; eBay; wnr
20 PC; DNW, Sale 346, 27 January 2026, lot 148; 0.24g/6h
21 Ash.; D.J. Rogers > Ashmolean; 0.17g
H4.1a:
[rose]EDWARD DI GRA REX (Saltire either side in lower field) / CIVITAS LOnDOn (no extra pellets)
22* PC; DNW, Sale 352, 4 March 2026, lot 2016; 0.24g/3h
23 PC; Stone; wnr
H4.1b:
[rose]EDWARD DI GRA REX (Saltire either side in lower field) / CIVITAS LOnDOn (extra pellet in CIVI & LON quarters)
24* PC; Baldwin, Sale 7, 2 May 1996, lot 535 > Stewartby > Spink, 29 November 2016, lot 1358; 0.25g
H4.2a:
[rose]EDWARD DI GRAx RSX (S instead of E in REX, Saltire made up from pellets and lines, either side in lower field) / CIVITAS LOnDOn (no extra pellets)
25* PC; Hosker & Haynes, 26 March 2024, lot 79; 0.15g/4h
L1.1a:
[crown]EDWARD DI GRA RE (Trefoil either side in lower field) / CIVITAS LOnDOn (no extra pellets)
26 PC; SNC, vol. XCIX, no. 4, May 1990, item 2516 > Clark; 0.15g/4
27* PC; Vosper, May 2011; 0.18g/12h
P1.1a:
[pierced cross]EDWARD DI GRA REX / CIVITAS LOnDOn (no extra pellets)
28 PC; Stone; 0.18g
29* PC; Essex Coins, September 2024; 0.25g/2h
P1.2b:
[pierced cross]EDWARD DI GRA / CIVITAS LOnDOn (extra pellet in TAS & DON quarters)
30* PC; SNC, vol. XCIX, no. 6, July/August 1991, item 4953 > D.J. Rogers > Ashmolean; wnr
31 PC; Essex Coins, November 2021; 0.21g/7h
P1.2c:
[pierced cross]EDWARD DI GRA / CIVITAS LOnDOn (extra pellet in DON quater)
32* PC; detectorist find, ref. UKDFD 56894; wnr
Unclassified:
33 PC; SCMB, no. 488, January 1959, item X145 > SNC, vol. XCIX, no 6, July/August 1991; wnr
34 PC; ex. Tim Everson > Colin Cooke, List 54, item 1043 > Colin Cooke, List 56, item 1297; 0.19g/3h


Footnotes

  1. Ruding, R. Annals of the Coinage of Britain and Its Dependencies from the Earliest Period of Authentick History to the End of the Fiftieth Year of the Reign of His Present Majesty King George III. Printed and sold by Nichols, Son, and Bentley, 1817: 47↩
  2. Withers, P. and Withers B. The Galata Guide to Small Change: Hammered Silver Farthings, Halfpennies & Three-Farthings 1279-1660. Llanfyllin, Powys: Galata Print Ltd., 2023.↩
  3. Mayhew, N.J. "The Monetary Background to the Yorkist Recoinage of 1464-1471." The British Numismatic Journal 44 (1974): 62-73.link(opens in a new tab) ↩
  4. Carlyon-Britton, R.C. "The Sequence of mint-marks preceding, during, and succeeding the Restoration of Henry VI." The British Numismatic Journal 17 (1923-4): 125-32.link(opens in a new tab) ↩
  5. Rogers, D.J. "The Norwich Halfpennies." Spink Numismatic Circular, November 1998: 403. ↩

Research & Resources

Contact

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