Medieval English Hammered Farthings - Richard II

This online guide is designed to help

• Metal Detector enthusiasts
• Museum Curators
• Coin Dealers & Collectors

accurately identify and classify their English Hammered Farthings.

Click here to identify your Richard II Farthing fast.

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Overview:

The shortage of small change - both farthings and halfpence - was a continuing problem throughout the Middle Ages. The farthing played an essential part of London life, it was the toll for a laden horse to cross Holborn Bridge, the price of half a gallon of best ale, the cost of two red herrings, or the charge imposed by the city for every laden horse passing through the city gates.

From a numismatic point of view, there are several features of note on the farthings of Richard II.

The die used for the king's head is the same as that used at the end of Edward III's reign.

As with the earlier Edward III Post-Treaty farthings, the diameter of the inner circle is only 5.5mm.

A recent study of 30 Richard II farthings found 12 obverse dies.

Spink groups the Richard II farthings into broad types: large head; small head; with neck; without neck; and with either pellets or roses on the reverse.

Withers has gone into more detail and listed a number of spelling and punctuation varieties - though further varieties are bound to appear as more examples come to light. Somewhat surprisingly, the latter do not consider with or without a neck as separate types!

This listing treats a head with a neck and a head without a neck as different classes.

An additional point:

      Some examples appear to be missing the "spearheads" in the
      crown:

      But on close inspection, all examples have faint traces of
      the missing "spearheads":

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Date: 1377-1399
Mint: London
Type: BUST with NECK

Diameter: 10-11mm (i.c.d.o: 5mm)
Weight: 0.20-0.35g (4½grains¹)

Obverse: RICΛRDVS:REX:AnGL'
    Small neat head (same punches as used by Edward III, type 9
    & 10). Crown with spearheads between side fleurs.
    Bust with neck.
Reverse: CIVI TAS LOn DOn
    "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter.

Reference(s):
  W. RII 1a
  S.1701  
  N.1333a
Scarcity: Very Rare

Guide Price:
  £100 (Fine)
  £275 (Very Fine)

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Date: 1377-1399
Mint: London
Type: BUST with NECK

Diameter: 10-11mm (i.c.d.o: 5mm)
Weight: 0.20-0.35g (4½grains¹)

Obverse: RICΛRDVS:REX:ΛnGL:
    Small neat head (same punches as used by Edward III, type 9
    & 10). Crown with spearheads between side fleurs.
    Bust with neck.
Reverse: CIVI TAS LOn DOn
    "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter.

Reference(s) *:
  W. RII 1b
  S.1701
  N.1333a
Scarcity: Very Rare

Guide Price:
  £100 (Fine)
  £275 (Very Fine)

Sold by:

• (July '04) A VF example of this coin was sold by was sold by TimeLine Originals for £525.

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Date: 1377-1399
Mint: London
Type: BUST with NECK

Diameter: 10-11mm (i.c.d.o: 5mm)
Weight: 0.20-0.35g (4½grains¹)

Obverse: RICΛRD:REX:ΛnGL
    Small neat head (same punches as used by Edward III, type 9
    & 10). Crown with spearheads between side fleurs.
    Bust with neck.
Reverse: CIVI TAS LOn DOn
    "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter.

Reference(s) *:
  W. RII 1c
  S.1701
  N.1333b
Scarcity: Very Rare

Guide Price:
  £100 (Fine)
  £275 (Very Fine)

Sold by:

• (June '04) A Fine example of this coin (see first picture) was sold by Mike R. Vosper for £300.
• A good VF (see second picture - this is the actual coin used by Seaby), toned example of this coin was sold by CNG Coins (previously sold by CNR XXVII, June 2002, lot 133; Ex Lord Grantley Collection, Part III (Glendining's, 22 March 1944), lot 1383; John G. Murdock Collection (Sotheby's 15 March 1904), lot 309) for $1,200.

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Date: 1377-1399
Mint: London
Type: BUST with NECK

Diameter: 10-11mm (i.c.d.o: 5mm)
Weight: 0.20-0.35g (4½grains¹)

Obverse: RICΛRD:REX:ΛnGL:
    Small neat head (same punches as used by Edward III, type 9
    & 10). Crown with spearheads between side fleurs.
    Bust with neck.
Reverse: CIVI TAS LOn DOn
    "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter.

Reference(s) *:
  W. RII 1d
  S.1701
  N.1333b
Notes:
  This variety, with the colon (more accurately double pellet) stops is
  the most common of this Type. Nevertheless, this is still a very rare
  coin.

Scarcity: Very Rare

Guide Price:
  £100 (Fine)
  £275 (Very Fine)

Sold by:

• A Fine example of this coin (0.30g) was sold by Mike R. Vosper for £300.

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Date: 1377-1399
Mint: London
Type: BUST with NECK

Diameter: 10-11mm (i.c.d.o: 5mm)
Weight: 0.20-0.35g (4½grains¹)

Obverse: RICΛRDxREXxΛnGL
    Small neat head (same punches as used by Edward III, type 9
    & 10). Crown with spearheads between side fleurs.
    Bust with neck.
Reverse: CIVI TAS LOn DOn
    "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter.

Reference(s):
  W. RII 1e
  S.1701
  N.1333b
Scarcity: Very Rare

Guide Price:
  £100 (Fine)
  £275 (Very Fine)

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Date: 1377-1399
Mint: London
Type: BUST with NECK

Diameter: 10-11mm (i.c.d.o: 5mm)
Weight: 0.20-0.35g (4½grains¹)

Obverse: RICΛRD:REX:ΛnGLIE
    Small neat head (same punches as used by Edward III, type 9
    & 10). Crown with spearheads between side fleurs.
    Bust with neck.
Reverse: CIVI TAS LOn DOn
    "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter.

Reference(s):
  W. RII 1f
  S.1701
  N.-
Scarcity: Very Rare

Guide Price:
  £100 (Fine)
  £275 (Very Fine)

Sold by:

• An example of this coin is in Withers: Small Change II.

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Date: 1377-1399
Mint: London
Type: BUST with NECK

Diameter: 10-11mm (i.c.d.o: 5mm)
Weight: 0.20-0.35g (4½grains¹)

Obverse: RIEARD:REX:ΛnGLIE
    Small neat head (same punches as used by Edward III, type 9
    & 10). Crown with spearheads between side fleurs.
    Bust with neck.
Reverse: CIVI TAS LOn DOn
    "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter.

Reference(s):
  W. RII 1g
  S.-
  N.-
Scarcity: Very Rare

Guide Price:
  £125 (Fine)
  £300 (Very Fine)

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Date: 1377-1399
Mint: London
Type: BUST with NECK

Diameter: 10-11mm (i.c.d.o: 5mm)
Weight: 0.20-0.35g (4½grains¹)

Obverse: RICΛRDxREXxΛnGL
    Small neat head (same punches as used by Edward III, type 9
    & 10). Crown with spearheads between side fleurs.
    Bust with neck.
Reverse: CIVI TAS LOn DOn
    "Long Cross" with roses in each quarter. Only 3 examples with
    roses are known.

Reference(s) *:
  W. RII 1h
  S.1704
  N.1335
Scarcity: Extremely Rare

Guide Price:
  £135 (Fine)
  £400 (Very Fine)

Sold by:

• An example of this coin is in Withers: Small Change II.

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Date: 1377-1399
Mint: London
Type: BUST with NECK

Diameter: 10-11mm (i.c.d.o: 5mm)
Weight: 0.20-0.35g (4½grains¹)

Obverse: RICΛRD·REX·ΛnGL
    Small neat head (same punches as used by Edward III, type 9
    & 10). Crown with spearheads between side fleurs.
    Bust with neck. The X is composed of a pellet and dashes.
Reverse: CIVI TAS LOn DOn
    "Long Cross" with roses in each quarter. Only 3 examples with
    roses are known.

Reference(s) *:
  W. RII 1i
  S.1704
  N.1335
Scarcity: Extremely Rare

Guide Price:
  £135 (Fine)
  £400 (Very Fine)

Sold by:

• An example of this coin is in Withers: Small Change II.

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Date: 1377-1399
Mint: London
Type: BUST with NECK

Diameter: 10-11mm (i.c.d.o: 5mm)
Weight: 0.20-0.35g (4½grains¹)

Obverse: RICΛRD·REX·ΛnGL
    Small neat head (same punches as used by Edward III, type 9
    & 10). Crown with spearheads between side fleurs.
    Bust with neck.
Reverse: CIVI TAS LOn DOn
    "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter.

Reference(s):
  W. RII 1l
  S.1701
  N.1333a
Scarcity: Very Rare

Guide Price:
  £100 (Fine)
  £275 (Very Fine)

---

Date: 1377-1399
Mint: London
Type: BUST with NECK

Diameter: 10-11mm (i.c.d.o: 5mm)
Weight: 0.20-0.35g (4½grains¹)

Obverse: RICΛRDVS:REX:ΛnGL
    Small neat head (same punches as used by Edward III, type 9
    & 10). Crown with spearheads between side fleurs.
    Bust with neck.
Reverse: CIVI TAS LOn DOn
    "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter.

Reference(s) *:
  W. RII 1m
  S.1701
  N.1333a
Scarcity: Very Rare

Guide Price:
  £100 (Fine)
  £275 (Very Fine)

Sold by:

• A VF, though weakly struck in parts, example of this coin
  (0.35g) was sold by Mike R. Vosper for £350.

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Date: 1377-1399
Mint: London
Type: BUST with NECK

Diameter: 10-11mm (i.c.d.o: 5mm)
Weight: 0.20-0.35g (4½grains¹)

Obverse: RICΛRDxREXxΛnGL
    Crown like type 1, but with a new larger face and long straighter
    hair. Crown with spearheads between side fleurs. Bust
    with neck. No initial cross! Reverse: CIVI TAS LOn DOn
    "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter.

Reference(s) *:
  W. RII 2
  S.1704A
  N.1334
Scarcity: Very Rare

Guide Price:
  £150 (Fine)
  £450 (Very Fine)

Sold by:

• An example of this coin is in Withers: Small Change II.

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Date: 1377-1399
Mint: London
Type: BUST without NECK

Diameter: 10-11mm (i.c.d.o: 5mm)
Weight: 0.20-0.35g (4½grains¹)

Obverse: RICΛRDVS:REX:ΛnGL'
    Small neat head (same punches as used by Edward III, type 9
    & 10). Crown with spearheads between side fleurs.
    Bust with no neck.
Reverse: CIVI TAS LOn DOn
    "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter.

Reference(s):
  W. RII 1a
  S.1703
  N.1333a
Scarcity: Very Rare

Guide Price:
  £95 (Fine)
  £250 (Very Fine)

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Date: 1377-1399
Mint: London
Type: BUST without NECK

Diameter: 10-11mm (i.c.d.o: 5mm)
Weight: 0.20-0.35g (4½grains¹)

Obverse: RICΛRDVS:REX:ΛnGL:
    Small neat head (same punches as used by Edward III, type 9
    & 10). Crown with spearheads between side fleurs.
    Bust with no neck.
Reverse: CIVI TAS LOn DOn
    "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter.

Reference(s):
  W. RII 1b
  S.1703
  N.1333a
Scarcity: Very Rare

Guide Price:
  £95 (Fine)
  £250 (Very Fine)

---

Date: 1377-1399
Mint: London
Type: BUST without NECK

Diameter: 10-11mm (i.c.d.o: 5mm)
Weight: 0.20-0.35g (4½grains¹)

Obverse: RICΛRD:REX:ΛnGL
    Small neat head (same punches as used by Edward III, type 9
    & 10). Crown with spearheads between side fleurs.
    Bust with no neck.
Reverse: CIVI TAS LOn DOn
    "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter.

Reference(s):
  W. RII 1c
  S.1703
  N.1333b
Scarcity: Very Rare

Guide Price:
  £95 (Fine)
  £250 (Very Fine)

---

Date: 1377-1399
Mint: London
Type: BUST without NECK

Diameter: 10-11mm (i.c.d.o: 5mm)
Weight: 0.20-0.35g (4½grains¹)

Obverse: RICΛRD:REX:ΛnGL:
    Small neat head (same punches as used by Edward III, type 9
    & 10). Crown with spearheads between side fleurs.
    Bust with no neck.
Reverse: CIVI TAS LOn DOn
    "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter.

Reference(s):
  W. RII 1d
  S.1703
  N.1333b
Notes:
  This variety, with the colon (more accurately double pellet) stops is
  the most common of this Type. Nevertheless, this is still a very rare
  coin.

Scarcity: Very Rare

Guide Price:
  £95 (Fine)
  £250 (Very Fine)

---

Date: 1377-1399
Mint: London
Type: BUST without NECK

Diameter: 10-11mm (i.c.d.o: 5mm)
Weight: 0.20-0.35g (4½grains¹)

Obverse: RICΛRDxREXxΛnGL
    Small neat head (same punches as used by Edward III, type 9
    & 10). Crown with spearheads between side fleurs.
    Bust with no neck.
Reverse: CIVI TAS LOn DOn
    "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter.

Reference(s):
  W. RII 1e
  S.1703
  N.1333b
Scarcity: Very Rare

Guide Price:
  £95 (Fine)
  £250 (Very Fine)

---

Date: 1377-1399
Mint: London
Type: BUST without NECK

Diameter: 10-11mm (i.c.d.o: 5mm)
Weight: 0.20-0.35g (4½grains¹)

Obverse: RICΛRD:REX:ΛnGLIE
    Small neat head (same punches as used by Edward III, type 9
    & 10). Crown with spearheads between side fleurs.
    Bust with no neck.
Reverse: CIVI TAS LOn DOn
    "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter.

Reference(s):
  W. RII 1f
  S.1703
  N.-
Scarcity: Very Rare

Guide Price:
  £95 (Fine)
  £250 (Very Fine)

Sold by:

• A VF example of this coin (0.20g) was sold by A.G. & S. Gillis
  for £275. Note: the initial cross on the obverse is double struck.

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Date: 1377-1399
Mint: London
Type: BUST without NECK

Diameter: 10-11mm (i.c.d.o: 5mm)
Weight: 0.20-0.35g (4½grains¹)

Obverse: RIEARD:REX:ΛnGLIE
    Small neat head (same punches as used by Edward III, type 9
    & 10). Crown with spearheads between side fleurs.
    Bust with no neck.
Reverse: CIVI TAS LOn DOn
    "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter.

Reference(s):
  W. RII 1g
  S.-
  N.-
Scarcity: Very Rare

Guide Price:
  £110 (Fine)
  £250 (Very Fine)

Sold by:

• (Jan. 2005) A Fine example of this coin (0.24g) was sold by CNG, Triton VIII, lot 1771 for $1955.
  
  Previously sold (29 April-1 May 1987) by Stack's, lot 1742. The coin was part of the famous Virgil Brand Collection (sold over many decades from 1926 to 1987) and the Talbot Ready Collection.

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Date: 1377-1399
Mint: London
Type: BUST without NECK

Diameter: 10-11mm (i.c.d.o: 5mm)
Weight: 0.20-0.35g (4½grains¹)

Obverse: RICΛRDxREXxΛnGL
    Small neat head (same punches as used by Edward III, type 9
    & 10). Crown with spearheads between side fleurs.
    Bust with no neck.
Reverse: CIVI TAS LOn DOn
    "Long Cross" with roses in each quarter. Only 2 examples with
    roses are known.

Reference(s) *:
  W. RII 1h
  S.1704
  N.1335
Scarcity: Extremely Rare

Guide Price:
  £135 (Fine)
  £400(Very Fine)

Sold by:

• An example of this coin is in Withers: Small Change II.

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Date: 1377-1399
Mint: London
Type: BUST without NECK

Diameter: 10-11mm (i.c.d.o: 5mm)
Weight: 0.20-0.35g (4½grains¹)

Obverse: RICΛRD·REX·ΛnGL
    Small neat head (same punches as used by Edward III, type 9
    & 10). Crown with spearheads between side fleurs.
    Bust with no neck. The X is composed of a pellet and dashes.
Reverse: CIVI TAS LOn DOn
    "Long Cross" with roses in each quarter. Only 2 examples with
    roses are known.

Reference(s) *:
  W. RII 1i
  S.1704
  N.1335
Scarcity: Extremely Rare

Guide Price:
  £135 (Fine)
  £400 (Very Fine)

Sold by:

• An example of this coin is in Withers: Small Change II.

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Date: 1377-1399
Mint: London
Type: BUST without NECK

Diameter: 10-11mm (i.c.d.o: 5mm)
Weight: 0.20-0.35g (4½grains¹)

Obverse: RICΛRD·REX·ΛnGL
    Small neat head (same punches as used by Edward III, type 9
    & 10). Crown with spearheads between side fleurs.
    Bust without neck.
Reverse: CIVI TAS LOn DOn
    "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter.

Reference(s):
  W. RII 1l
  S.1701
  N.1333a
Scarcity: Very Rare

Guide Price:
  £100 (Fine)
  £275 (Very Fine)

---

Date: 1377-1399
Mint: London
Type: BUST without NECK

Diameter: 10-11mm (i.c.d.o: 5mm)
Weight: 0.20-0.35g (4½grains¹)

Obverse: RICΛRDVS:REX:ΛnGL
    Small neat head (same punches as used by Edward III, type 9
    & 10). Crown with spearheads between side fleurs.
    Bust without neck.
Reverse: CIVI TAS LOn DOn
    "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter.

Reference(s):
  W. RII 1m
  S.1701
  N.1333a
Scarcity: Very Rare

Guide Price:
  £100 (Fine)
  £275 (Very Fine)

---

Date: 1377-1399
Mint: London
Type: BUST without NECK

Diameter: 10-11mm
Weight: 0.20-0.35g (4½grains¹)

Obverse: RICΛRDxREXxΛnGL
    Crown like type 1, but with a new larger face and long straighter hair.
    Crown with spearheads between side fleurs. Bust with no
    neck. No initial cross!
Reverse: CIVI TAS LOn DOn
    "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter.

Reference(s):
  W. RII 2
  S.1704A
  N.1334
Scarcity: Very Rare

Guide Price:
  £150 (Fine)
  £450 (Very Fine)

---

Date: 1377-1399
Mint: London
Type: BUST without NECK

Diameter: 10-11mm
Weight: 0.20-0.35g (4½grains¹)

Obverse: RICΛRDxREXxΛnGLIE
    Crown like type 1, but with a new larger face and long straighter hair.
    Crown with spearheads between side fleurs. Bust with no
    neck.
Reverse: CIVI TAS LOn DOn
    "Long Cross" with three pellets in each quarter.

Reference(s) *:
  W. RII 2 variant
  S.1704A
  N.1334
Scarcity: Very Rare

Guide Price:
  £150 (Fine)
  £450 (Very Fine)

Sold by:

• A poor example of this coin (0.31g) was sold by Dix Noonan
  Webb for £40 (ref: Purvey, BNJ 1962, pl.ix, 33; N 1334;
  S 1704A).

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Identify your Richard II Farthing fast...

• Check the size of the head (i.e. small or large).
• Check the reverse type (i.e. pellets or roses).
• Check whether the bust has a neck.
• Match the obverse legend.
• Click on the link.