Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Sunday 16 January 2022

Another gold penny of King Henry III


I posted a year ago in Gold penny of King Henry III about the impending sale of one of the few surviving gold pennies - worth 20d in the thirteenth century - minted by King Henry III in 1257. 

The Daily Telegraph now reports on the discovery by a metal detector of an eighth example of this beautiful coin. Their report also draws upon the enormous expertise of the King’s latest biographer Prof. David Carpenter to expound the significance of the coins, their artistic importance and economic impact. Professor Carpenter can even suggest who was the owner of the coin.


The MailOnline also has an account of the discovery of the coin at One of England's 'first ever gold coins' is dug up in Devon field

The Daily Mirror has an article from 2017 about the then impending sale of one of the surging coins which looks at why it was an Impractical unit of currency at First ever English gold coin worth a penny will sell for unbelievable amount

There is an article about the sale in Texas of another example of the coin a year ago at Henry III 1257 gold penny sells for £526k at Texas auction


However for a really detailed account of the coin and its place in English numismatic history there is a post from last month from the London coin specialists Spink about the gold penny at  A NEW HENRY III GOLD PENNY - ENGLAND’S “FIRST GOLD COIN” - INSIDER

All these articles add to our understanding of this famous coin and are worth looking at.


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