Medieval silver farthing of King John by Ricard.T. of London

Code: 12258

This is a medieval silver farthing of King John struck at the London mint between 1205- 1207 AD. The Moneyer who struck the coin was likely Ricard.T. Class 5bii

Obverse: hЄNRICVS | RЄX  "King Henry" Legend around crowned facing portrait, with sceptre in right hand.

Reverse: RICARD.T.ON.LVND "Ricard.T. of London"

This coin started life as a penny, but it was necessitated 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. 

DENOMINATION: Farthing

CULTURE: Medieval England

MONARCH: John

DATE: 1199 - 1216 AD (this coin was minted between 1205 - 1207 AD)

MATERIAL: Silver

SIZE: 9mm x 9mm 

WEIGHT: 0.34 grams

ATTRIBUTION: Spink 1351

PROVENANCE: Formerly in a private collection, in Cambridgeshire.