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Message:: [QUOTE="johnmilton, post: 25486210, member: 101855"]Why did kings Richard I (1189 to 1199) and John (1199-1216) continue to issue their British coins with their late father's (Henry II) name on them? A dealer explained to me that it was to continue the confidence that domestic and foreign merchants had gained in the quality of Henry II's coinage. After William the Conqueror, the quality of the British coinage fell to a very low level. During Henry II's reign, people were constantly clipping off little pieces of his coins sometimes to check the purity of the silver alloy. Once a coin had been clipped or "snicked," people refused to take it. Henry tried to solve that problem by taking a "snick" from the coins at the mint. Things got even worse during the reign of Stephen (see above). Henry II's first coins were not well made, but then there was a dramatic improvement. By the end of his reign, British coins had become among the most trusted pieces in Europe. There for Richard and John continued to name Henry on their coinage. Attributing the coins to the three rulers can be tricky. Here are three examples. A penny of Henry II [ATTACH=full]1631555[/ATTACH] Richard I pennies often have stubble on his chin and 7 pearls in his crown across his forehead. [ATTACH=full]1631556[/ATTACH] John's coins have five pearls in his crown above his forehead. [ATTACH=full]1631557[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]