https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/templates/general_wide/img/logo.png UKDFD Recording Software https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/ Pennies and cut fractions (Canterbury) https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/coins/medieval/henry-iii-and-edward-i-long-cross-coinage/pennies-and-cut-fractions-canterbury.html Henry III Long Cross Penny https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/coins/medieval/henry-iii-and-edward-i-long-cross-coinage/pennies-and-cut-fractions-canterbury/henry-iii-long-cross-penny-59261.html Fri, 22 May 2026 21:19:27 GMT Pennies and cut fractions (Canterbury) Henry III Long Cross Penny  
Description: Henry III class 5i (see below) long cross penny of Canterbury.

This coin would appear to be the first recorded specimen of sub-class 5i from the Canterbury mint. The moneyer, Alein, is presently recorded as striking in sub-classes 5g and 5h only. Class 5i coins are otherwise known from only two mints, London and Bury St Edmunds. The sub-class, or part thereof, was struck posthumously during the reign of Edward I.

It will be clear from the following notes that there is, more generally, a subjective element to 5i classification, but I am satisfied in the present case that the coin can safely be assigned to this sub-class.   

The coin is of very coarse workmanship and the lettering large, but of the correct style for late class 5. Notable features on the obverse include an unusual  cross-like central fleur to the crown and a triple line of pellets for the beard. Only the NR of HENRICVS is ligated and there are three pellets below the crown band, as on earlier sub-classes. On the reverse, the legend division is ALE/INO/NC/ANT with AL and AN ligated.

In his seminal classification of the long cross coinage, Lawrence1 regarded classes 5h and 5i, the last two sub-classes of class 5, as progressive stages of deterioration from sub-class 5g. The fact that the deterioration is progressive inevitably means that assigning transitional coins to one sub-class or the other will be subjective.

North2 attempts to introduce some objectivity, by describing 5i as a very crude copy of 5h with a triple line of pellets for a beard, criteria which very much apply to the present coin.

Stewartby3 describes 5i as: "Roughly executed head. Large letters, mostly with ENR joined. Very crude work. There is no dividing line between 5h and 5i." Only NR is joined on the present coin, but again the coin fulfils the criteria, due to the inclusion of 'mostly'.

Churchill and Thomas4 provide a lengthier description, reproduced here in full: "5i No change; letters as in 5g and 5h. These coins show further degradation and they are of coarse and unsatisfactory workmanship. Most 5i coins read HENRICVS, whereas 5g and 5h coins read HENRICVS. These coins, and some which continue to read HENRICVS, generally have no pellets below the crown band or pellets in formations other than a simple line of three. On the other hand, the Bury St Edmunds examples, which come from just one pair of dies, have ENR ligated and appear to have a line of pellets below the crown. The style is, however, very degraded."

References/Sources
1. Lawrence, The Long-Cross Coinage of Henry III and Edward I (1912-1915)
2. North, English Hammered Coinage, Vol 1, 1st Ed. (1963)
3. Stewartby, English Coins 1180-1551 (2009)
4. Churchill & Thomas, The Brussels Hoard of 1908 (2012)
5. Churchill, Mints & Moneyers during the Reign of Henry III (2012)
 
Category: Medieval, Henry III and Edward I (Long Cross Coinage), Pennies and cut fractions (Canterbury)
Category: Pennies and cut fractions (Canterbury)
]]> Henry III Cut Long Cross Halfpenny https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/coins/medieval/henry-iii-and-edward-i-long-cross-coinage/pennies-and-cut-fractions-canterbury/henry-iii-cut-long-cross-halfpenny-59101.html Tue, 06 Jan 2026 15:18:27 GMT Pennies and cut fractions (Canterbury) Henry III Cut Long Cross Halfpenny  
Description: Henry III class 3a1 cut long cross halfpenny of Canterbury.
Category: Medieval, Henry III and Edward I (Long Cross Coinage), Pennies and cut fractions (Canterbury)
Category: Pennies and cut fractions (Canterbury)
]]> Henry III Long Cross Penny https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/coins/medieval/henry-iii-and-edward-i-long-cross-coinage/pennies-and-cut-fractions-canterbury/henry-iii-long-cross-penny-59077.html Sun, 21 Dec 2025 14:52:56 GMT Pennies and cut fractions (Canterbury) Henry III Long Cross Penny  
Description: Henry III class 3d1 long cross penny of Canterbury.
Category: Medieval, Henry III and Edward I (Long Cross Coinage), Pennies and cut fractions (Canterbury)
Category: Pennies and cut fractions (Canterbury)
]]> Henry III Cut Long Cross Farthing https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/coins/medieval/henry-iii-and-edward-i-long-cross-coinage/pennies-and-cut-fractions-canterbury/henry-iii-cut-long-cross-farthing-59042.html Wed, 26 Nov 2025 10:41:53 GMT Pennies and cut fractions (Canterbury) Henry III Cut Long Cross Farthing  
Description: Henry III class 5 cut long cross farthing of Canterbury.
Category: Medieval, Henry III and Edward I (Long Cross Coinage), Pennies and cut fractions (Canterbury)
Category: Pennies and cut fractions (Canterbury)
]]> Henry III Cut Long Cross Farthing https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/coins/medieval/henry-iii-and-edward-i-long-cross-coinage/pennies-and-cut-fractions-canterbury/henry-iii-cut-long-cross-farthing-59026.html Thu, 20 Nov 2025 14:53:20 GMT Pennies and cut fractions (Canterbury) Henry III Cut Long Cross Farthing  
Description: Henry III class 5 cut long cross farthing of Canterbury.
Category: Medieval, Henry III and Edward I (Long Cross Coinage), Pennies and cut fractions (Canterbury)
Category: Pennies and cut fractions (Canterbury)
]]> Henry III Cut Long Cross Halfpenny https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/coins/medieval/henry-iii-and-edward-i-long-cross-coinage/pennies-and-cut-fractions-canterbury/henry-iii-cut-long-cross-halfpenny-59006.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 16:13:29 GMT Pennies and cut fractions (Canterbury) Henry III Cut Long Cross Halfpenny  
Description: Henry III class 5c cut long cross halfpenny of Canterbury.
Category: Medieval, Henry III and Edward I (Long Cross Coinage), Pennies and cut fractions (Canterbury)
Category: Pennies and cut fractions (Canterbury)
]]> Henry III Cut Long Cross Farthing https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/coins/medieval/henry-iii-and-edward-i-long-cross-coinage/pennies-and-cut-fractions-canterbury/henry-iii-cut-long-cross-farthing-58946.html Wed, 22 Oct 2025 20:32:11 GMT Pennies and cut fractions (Canterbury) Henry III Cut Long Cross Farthing  
Description: Henry III class 5 cut long cross farthing of Canterbury.
Category: Medieval, Henry III and Edward I (Long Cross Coinage), Pennies and cut fractions (Canterbury)
Category: Pennies and cut fractions (Canterbury)
]]> Henry III Cut Long Cross Halfpenny https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/coins/medieval/henry-iii-and-edward-i-long-cross-coinage/pennies-and-cut-fractions-canterbury/henry-iii-cut-long-cross-halfpenny-58822.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 13:47:34 GMT Pennies and cut fractions (Canterbury) Henry III Cut Long Cross Halfpenny  
Description: Henry III class 3 cut long cross halfpenny of Canterbury.
Category: Medieval, Henry III and Edward I (Long Cross Coinage), Pennies and cut fractions (Canterbury)
Category: Pennies and cut fractions (Canterbury)
]]> Henry III Cut Long Cross Farthing https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/coins/medieval/henry-iii-and-edward-i-long-cross-coinage/pennies-and-cut-fractions-canterbury/henry-iii-cut-long-cross-farthing-58609.html Fri, 02 May 2025 14:18:23 GMT Pennies and cut fractions (Canterbury) Henry III Cut Long Cross Farthing  
Description: Henry III class 5c2 cut long cross farthing of Canterbury.
Category: Medieval, Henry III and Edward I (Long Cross Coinage), Pennies and cut fractions (Canterbury)
Category: Pennies and cut fractions (Canterbury)
]]> Henry III Cut Long Cross Halfpenny https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/coins/medieval/henry-iii-and-edward-i-long-cross-coinage/pennies-and-cut-fractions-canterbury/henry-iii-cut-long-cross-halfpenny-58569.html Sat, 12 Apr 2025 11:53:41 GMT Pennies and cut fractions (Canterbury) Henry III Cut Long Cross Halfpenny  
Description: Henry III class 3 cut long cross halfpenny of Canterbury.
Category: Medieval, Henry III and Edward I (Long Cross Coinage), Pennies and cut fractions (Canterbury)
Category: Pennies and cut fractions (Canterbury)
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