Code: 12807
This is a medieval silver farthing of king William I (The Lion) of Scotland, Class II struck 1205 - 1230 AD.
Obverse: +LE RA WILLAME "the King William" crowned head with sceptre left, legend and beaded border surrounding.
Reverse: +hVE: WALTER:O "Hue Walter of Roxburgh?" short voided cross pattee, six-pointed star in each angle, beaded borders surrounding,
This coin started life as a penny, but it was necessary in trade to chop the coins into smaller fractional denominations as halfpennies and farthings. These coins were legal tender, and a halfpenny was simply a penny cut in half, whilst farthings (four things) were divided into four parts. This coin has seen heavy use and was found in England, so it was likely associated with the Scottish cattle drovers into Norfolk.
DENOMINATION: Farthing
CULTURE: Medieval Scotland
MONARCH: William I (The Lion)
DATE: 1165 - 1214 AD (this issue from 1205 - 1230 AD)
MATERIAL: Silver
SIZE: 9mm x 10mm
WEIGHT: 0.29 grams
ATTRIBUTION: Burns 10, fig. 47; S.5029
PROVENANCE: A metal detector find from King's Lynn in Norfolk.
