Henry III Penny, voided long cross, London mint, Nicole, class 1b/2a mule

Henry III (1216-72), silver Penny, voided long cross type, class 1b / class 2a mule (c.1248), London Mint, moneyer Nicole, facing crowned head, legend commences at top with inner and outer beaded border surrounding, initial mark star over crescent, *hENRICVS REX. ANG, rev. long voided cross pommée, trio of pellets in each angle, legend surrounding with inner and outer beaded border, NIC OLE ON L VND, weight 1.45g (N.984/985; S.1360). Toned, well struck with reverse a little off-centre, otherwise almost extremely fine.

In an effort to curtail clipping of the edges if coins, Henry III was the first to introduce a coinage where the reverse cross extended to towards the rim of the coin so any tampering of the edge would be more obvious to the casual observer. The new design having a voided cross pommée with groups of three pellets in each inner angle. The coinage running for a 32 year period from 1247 until 1279 in the reign of Edward I. The London Mint operated with up to 11 moneyers which was one more than the 10 at Canterbury and run through 5 different classes in this reign with multiple sub-classes and varieties, transitioning into two more later classes in the reign of Edward I.

The obverse Latin legend translates as "Henry King of the English" and the reverse as "Nicole of London."

Provenance:

Ex Spink Numismatic Circular, December 2003, HS1424.
Ex Neil Smith Collection of British Silver Coins, New York Sale XLIX, 15^th January 2020, lot 1239.