The Long Cross Pennies of Henry III
5a and 5b pennies, as well as those of class 5c, were only minted by the moneyer RICARD. Churchill and Thomas, authors of the 2012 book on the Brussels Hoard, have recognised 5 different die combinations fror class 5a (3 different obverse dies, and 3 different reverse dies), and have recognised 12 die combinations for class 5b pennies (3 different obverse dies and 5 different reverse dies). The 5a reverse dies all have the same spelling/punctuation - so this is of no help in identifying the reverse die of a coin, and unfortunately the illustrations in Churchill and Thomas's book are not clear enough. For the 5b pennies there is some variation in the reverse legend: in the second quadrant the A can be single or double-barred, and the spelling in the third quadrant can vary between ON, OND, ON D, and ONDD - in all cases the ON is ligated and the N carries a pellet on the crossbar.
Page updated: 7th January 2016
Coin Ref # DRRC5020
Class 5b2
Ricard
Obv: hENRICUS REX III'. - NR ligated, note the elongated wedge on the second "R"; frequently seen on the Durham coins.
Rev: RIC/ARD/OND/VRh' - with AR & ON ligated. RIC: 8.
Coins of this class & moneyer in BH.......44
Number of different C&T types in BH......26
Churchill & Thomas Type for this coin... ?
Number of coins of this type in BH.........?
Notes: Images courtesy of the finder of the 2015 Bridgnorth Area Hoard. [Finder's ref # 1]
Coin Ref # DRRC5007
Coin Ref # DRRC5006
Coin Ref # DRRC5005
Coin Ref # DRRC5002
Coin Ref # DRRC5003
Coin Ref # DRRC5001
Coin Ref # DRRC5004
Class 5b2
Ricard
Obv: hENRICVS REX III Round eyes,
Letter types: X4/R1
Rev: RIC/ARD/OND/VRh’ RIC: 8-9
Coins of this class & moneyer in BH........ 44
Number of different C&T types in BH....... 12
Churchill & Thomas Type for this coin.... D.6 - D17
Notes: Image is of a coin in the Bob Thomas collection, and image kindly supplied by him.
Ex Colchester Hoard.
Class 5b2
Ricard
Obv: hENRICVS REX III Round eyes,
Letter types: X4/R1
Rev: RIC/ARD/OND/VRh’ RIC: variable, 7-9
Coins of this class & moneyer in BH........ 44
Number of different C&T types in BH....... 12
Churchill & Thomas Type for this coin.... D.6 - D17
Notes: Image is of a coin in the Bob Thomas collection, and image kindly supplied by him.
Ex Brussels Hoard.
Class 5a3
Ricard
Obv: hENRICVS REX III Round eyes, X4/R2
Rev: RIC/ARD/OND/VRh’ - with AR & ND ligated, and a pellet on the letter "N". RIC: 9.
Coins of this class (5b2) & moneyer in BH..... 18
Number of different C&T types in BH............. 5
Churchill & Thomas Type for this coin.........D1-D5
Notes: AVF condition. Coin is ex the William Conte collection, and ex Spink.
Images: © The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge. Accession number: CM.1500-2001
Class 5a3
Ricard
Obv: hENRICVS REX III Round eyes, X4/R2
Rev: RIC/ARD/OND/VRh’ - with AR & ND ligated, and a pellet on the letter "N". RIC: ~9.
Coins of this class & moneyer in BH............. 18
Number of different C&T types in BH............. 5
Churchill & Thomas Type for this coin.........D1-D5
Notes: Image is of a coin in the Bob Thomas collection, and image kindly supplied by him. Coin probably ex Brussels but not amongst those examined by C&T, and is one of the finest known 5a3 pennies in existence. GVF condition.
Class 5a3
Ricard
Obv: h[ENRICV]S REX III Round eyes, X4/R2
Rev: RIC/ARD/OND/[VRh’] - with AR & ND ligated, and a pellet on the letter "N". RIC: 8-9. Two ball-shaped "R"s.
Coins of this class & moneyer in BH............ 18
Number of different C&T types in BH............ 5
Churchill & Thomas Type for this coin....... D1-D5
Weight.......................................................1.47 gm
Notes: Image courtesy of York Coins, coin ex Patrick Finn. ex Baldwin's Auctions October 4, 2004, lot 204.
Class 5a3
Ricard
Obv: hENRICVS REX III Round eyes, necklines.
Letter types: X4/R2 Bust is somewhat narrower than the norm.
Rev: RIC/ARD/OND/VRh’ - pellet on the N, AR & ND ligated. Ball-shaped R.
Coins of this class & moneyer in BH........ 18
Number of different C&T types in BH....... 5
Churchill & Thomas Type for this coin.... D1-D5
Notes: Struck slightly off-centre, very fine. Image courtesy of A.H. Baldwin & Sons, London. Coin ex Brussels Hoard and was auctioned 27th Sept., 2012, Lot # 2452
Class 5b2
Ricard
Obv: hENRICVS REX III Round eyes,
Letter types: X4/R1
Rev: RIC/ARD/OND/VRh’
Coins of this class & moneyer in BH........ 44
Number of different C&T types in BH....... 12
Churchill & Thomas Type for this coin.... D.9
Number of coins of this type in BH............. 4
Notes: Light iridescent tone, weak strike above bust, otherwise extremely fine and scarce. Image courtesy of A.H. Baldwin & Sons, London. Coin ex Brussels Hoard and was auctioned 27th Sept., 2012, Lot # 2453
Durham
Classes 5a, 5b