At first sight, this penny is a very nice example of the short cross coinage in the reign of Henry II. Further examination told me it is a Class 1a4 Randvl of London. But I got some strange feeling about it when having it in my hand. Now I have realised that its flan is thicker than common short cross. Thus it is heavier than common ones. I know here are some experienced collectors of British hammered coins. I tried my best to take a clear photo and here it is. And I'll have it weighted when I find an accurate scale. Is there anything wrong with this nice short cross penny?
It looks like a die duplicate of No. 82 of Mass's collection of short cross pennies (Mass Sylloge, No. 82, SCBI 56).
Not really my speciality but the colour looks odd to me - base metal contemporary forgery? Looks to have corroded like lead? Paddy
Yes, I agree with you both. Thank you very much for your opinions! I just don't know how they can make fake hammered pennies without the original dies. If they recut dies according to a genuine penny, the dies should be kind of deformed, while this one looks like a good die duplicate from Mass 82. I don't know what metal it is. It is not like lead and isn't magnetic. The silver colour looks fishy with finger print. But the seller's photos cover this to certain extent and I didn't question it at all. But when having it in my hand, I think it is not authentic. A lesson in my collection, I think!
