© Pierre.B (CC BY)
© Pierre.B (CC BY)
½ Penny - John Short Cross type; class 5b ND
| Silver | 0.51 g | 11 mm |
| Issuer | England (United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies) |
|---|---|
| King | John (1199-1216) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1205-1207 |
| Value | ½ Penny (1⁄480) |
| Currency | Pound sterling (1158-1970) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 0.51 g |
| Diameter | 11 mm |
| Shape | Half circle |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-08 |
| Numista | N#412602 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 95% |
Reverse
Voided short cross with four pellets in each angle within inner circle, legend around.
Script: Latin
Comment
House of Plantagenet (1154-1399), John (1199-1216), Short Cross coinage, silver cut halfpenny, possibly class 5b.
All issues bear the name of John's father Henry, numerous moneyer and mint name variations exist.
Medieval coins were cut into halves and quarters to provide fractional denominations without the need to strike new coins. It is thought these were generally cut at the mint, although it is also likely to have happened during transactions. Cut halfpennies are known in England from Anglo-Saxon times (c. 750s) until Edward I introduced round farthings and halfpennies in 1279.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the ½ Penny - John (Short Cross type; class 5b) ND (1205-1207) coin from England is that it was minted during the reign of King John, who is infamous for his conflicts with the Church and his barons, leading to the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215. Despite his controversial reign, the coinage issued during his time, including this ½ penny, features a simple yet elegant design that has endured for centuries.
