Date: c.1280-84

Description:

Edward I (1272-1307), Second Issue, Silver Farthing (Dublin Mint); struck c.1280-1284

• Diameter: 11mm
• Weight: 0.37 g.
• Good Fine (gF)

References:

• Withers VI 1a
• SCBI 22 (Copenhagen), –SCBC 625596267

Obverse:

• Crowned facing bust within triangle
• Legend: ” ЄRΛ NG LIЄ “

Reverse:

• Long cross pattée, triple pellets in angles
• Dublin Mint signature ” CIVI TΛS DVBL INIЄ “

Additional Information:

The design of Edward I’s 1st Irish issue was quite similar to those of Henry III when he began striking coins in Dublin in 1276 but this coinage was short-lived because there was a major recoinage just 4 years later in 1280. This 1st coinage of Edward I is extremely rare, with less than a dozen coins surviving.

In the year 1280, Edward I produced a high quality coinage for Ireland, struck to English standards and in 3 denominations – silver pennies, halfpennies and farthings. Edward I’s second issue in Ireland are relatively common coins and were minted at Dublin, Waterford and Cork – only his Cork coins are rare.

• Most of his 2nd Coinage are silver pennies
• Only a small proportion were halfpennies and farthings, so these are much scarcer than his pennies

Edward exported most of his Irish coins through taxes and it is thought that most of them melting down, turned into English coins and used as payment for the construction of strong castles along the Welsh Marches. Very little of this issue is thought to have stayed in Ireland, with predictably negative effects for the Anglo-Norman economy in Ireland.

Further Reading: