Class 1 & 2 Imitations

The Long Cross Pennies of Henry III

Coin reference: CIF1001

Coin reference: CIF2006

A blow-up of part of the obverse, showing a strange symbol ligated to the preceding letter. The symbol has been described as a lion's paw or an elephant. The reason for usage of either is unknown.

London Class 1b? imitation

Obv: Star and crescent initial mark, hENRICVS (remainder illegible). Crude bust.

Rev: 1st two quadrants almost illegible, followed by /EN perhaps and LVD. Inscription possibly contains TER and CI', though unclear.

Notes: North 3. Images courtesy of Dix Noonan Webb, coin auctioned 8th December 2014, part of lot 2591.

Class 2 Imitation of Norwich - Huge.

Obv: hENRICUS REX [T?]ER[N?]+Symbol - see enlargement below.

Rev: DVV/EON/NOR/WIC - where the "D" may be a mis-representation of an "h".

RIC: ~8.5.

Notes: This type of imitation is discussed in Churchill and Thomas's 2012 book, p.27. They note two similar coins having been found in the Brussels Hoard, and another one in the Colchester hoard. Compare this to the Class 2b Huge of Norwich coin.

Images courtesy of an anonymous collector.

Page updated: July 10th 2017

On the right is shown the reverse of a genuine class 2b2 Hvge on Norwich for comparison. Coin Ref: NRHG2112.

Class 2 Imitation of William of London

Obv: hENRICUS REX TERIII. Pellet after REX. Prominent central fleur. Oval eyes. 6-rayed mintmark.

Rev: WIL/LEM/LUN/DON

Notes: Purporting to have been issued by William of London, in fact William did not start issuing coins under his name until class 5c2. In the author's collection. [RP-1674].

Coin reference: CIF2002

Coin reference: CIF2005

Class 2 Imitation of Nicole of Canterbury

Obv: hENRICUS REX TERCI'. Straight crown band with multiple pellets below. Tail of the R encroaches the inner ring. 6-rayed mintmark. Possibly same die as CIF2003/2004.

Rev: __C/IHC/OHC/ANT

Notes: Images courtesy of Dix Noonan Webb, coin auctioned 17th September 2014, part of lot 2860.

London Class 1 imitation

Obv: Star and crescent initial mark, Legend illegible. Crude bust.

Rev: RON/ROL/__E/VND The groups of 3 pellets within each quadrant are joined.

RIC: 5-6

Weight.. 1.12 gm

Notes: Images courtesy of Rickie Rose.

Coin reference: CIF1002

Coin reference: CIF2004

Coin reference: CIF2003

Class 2 Imitation of Nicole of Canterbury

Obv: hENRICUS REX TERCI'. Straight crown band with multiple pellets below. Tail of the R encroaches the inner ring. 6-rayed mintmark. Appears to be from the same die as the coin illustrated above.

Rev: ELO/IHC/OHC/ANT - with AN ligated.

Weight: 1.50 gm

Notes: Glenn Schaap Collection. Images courtesy of York coins. (H5245) Ex Patrick Finn List, Summer 1994, 130.

Class 2 Imitation of Nicole of Canterbury

Obv: hENRICUS REX TERCI'. Straight crown band with multiple pellets below. Tail of the R encroaches the inner ring. 6-rayed mintmark.

Rev: ELO/IHC/OH_/EV_ Note that the ELO may actually be retrograde OLE

Notes: Although the reverse legend is difficult to fully decipher, the obverse appears to be from the same die as the coin illustrated below suggesting this is also imitating Nicole of Canterbury. Image courtesy of York coins. (H5241) (cf BNJ 65 plate 5, #5) Ex Patrick Finn list.