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Auction: 25007 - … British and World Coins and Medals featuring The Oriole Collection of Gold and Silver English Coins
Lot: 244

Edward III (1327-1377), temp. Henry de Appleford (1342-1361), Third or 'Florin' Coinage, Penny, Type XVIc, Reading [Abbatial Mint], + EDWARDVS REX AnG, Lombardic n, colon stops, crowned bust facing, rev. VILLA RADINGy, reverse-barred N, long cross and trio of pellets, except for scallop in second quarter, 1.176g, 8h, m.m. cross pattée (Stewartby, p. 197, Pl. 10/226 [and Sale, lot 1087] same dies; North -; S.1555A), lightly chipped and with a subtle wave to flan with resulting stressing, otherwise field toned, a bolder fine, extremely rare

The Royal writ of 26 August 1338, re-issued on the 8 November that year, instructed the Exchequer to supply three dies for pence, halfpence and farthings for the benefit of Reading Abbey. A second writ of 18 November 1338 required the Warden John de Flete of the Tower Mint to supply the dies by 25 November - with marks and inscriptions as specified by the abbot. On 22 February 1339, a final writ to The Exchequer stated that Abbot and monks
of Reading had received their penny die, and it thus ordered the delivery of halfpenny and farthing dies being kept by The Exchequer.



Jeffrey North suggested that Reading Abbey received especial dispensation to mint both halfpennies and farthings at 0.833 fineness - because the minting of sterling silver pence was unprofitable due to the increasing cost of silver bullion. The Fox brothers noted the probable unprofitability of minting pence in Reading before the weight reduction of 1344, but a Reading penny from the dies of 1338 has since been found by a metal detectorist and identified.

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Estimate
£400 to £600

Starting price
£400