A groat of Edward I (1272-1307) Edward I, “Longshanks”, the “hammer of the Scots”, is one of the most famous (infamous) British kings. He has been characterized as heroic and pious, ambitious and just, a tyrant and cruel. It’s can be challenging to assess the true nature of him in the context of his times. Edward I introduced the four pence groat in 1279. His father Henry III had experimented with a gold coin, but this is thought to have been produced on a very small scale and is extremely rare with only 7 or 8 known. Other than this, no denomination other than the penny (and cut/round halfpenny) had been produced since early Saxon times. Edward’s groat was a little more successful than the gold coin, but not by much. The groats were produced between 1279 and 1281, then the denomination abandoned. Most were withdrawn from circulation. Edward III would try again with a four pence groat and this time would be accepted and would be produced for hundreds of years. Because of the contemporary lack of interest in Edward I’s groat, most were melted down. However, due to the large size and the large cross on the reverse, some were saved for use in jewelry, and it’s not uncommon to find them with gilded reverses. Generally, the obverse and Edward’s face was not gilded. Most surviving examples, like this one, have some damage. Scratches, bumps, and evidence of mounting or gilding is the norm. High grade unimpaired examples are exceptionally uncommon, and very valuable. I think around 100 are known to exist, most in low grade or otherwise impaired, and many in institutional collections. The recent reference is Martin Allen’s article in BNJ 74 (2004) where he builds off the old Fox and later North classification system. This coin is class F (I think) based on North’s classification scheme.
A wonderful coin. Congrats on adding this rarity to your collection. Alas, I only have a penny of Longshanks. England, Plantagenet Kings ND AR Penny Edward I 1272-1307 London (19.1 mm 1.4 g) Class III g, late “S”. North 1022 S 1393 Purchased from H. J. Berk May 15, 2017 201stBid or Buy sale lot 516
That is a wonderful groat of Edward I @Nap and a very nice write-up of their introduction. Edward's coinage reform of 1279 is one of the most important in English history. I would love to add an Edward I groat to my collection, but so far only have a penny from class 1c. I also have a series B groat from Edward III, which reintroduced the groat into circulation.
Very nice @Nap ! I have a pedestrian version (been around the block a few times...) England Edward I 1272-1307 AR Penny 19mm 1.3g Class 10c 1302-1310 Canterbury facing star - Voided long cross 3 pellets quarters North 1040 ex @Mat
Coingrats on the extremely important, extremely rare and extremely AWESOME coin! Amazing. This (I'm pretty sure) was my first medieval coin. Penny for your groat King Edward I 1280 CE Longshanks medieval Period Silver Penny Coin.London
Interesting write-up & coin. I also have a penny of Edward I from another mint (Lincoln) - at least I think I do as I know almost nothing about this coin. Edward I ruled that 243 pennies should be made from one pound (lb) of silver (approx 450gms) - which I guess makes this one a bit light at 1.3g. Someone trimmed at least a bit from the one edge. The official pound was kept in the Tower of London. AR Penny of Edward I, Class 3 AD 1272-1307 Lincoln Obv: Crowned facing bust, with three pellets on breast. Legend "EDWR ANGL DNS hYB" Rev: Long cross dividing legend, three pellets in each quarter. Legend "CIVI-TAS-LIN-COL" Size: 19.5mm, 1.3g
very nice coin nap... got me a Longshanks penny England, Edward I, Longshanks, 1272-1307, AR Penny. London mint. + EDWA R ANGL DNS HYB, crowned & draped bust facing / CIVITAS LONDON, long cross with three pellets in each angle. Seaby #1410 18 mm, 1.4g
Very nice aquisition! It is definitely going on the wantlist for sure! Edward I penny, struck in Dublin
