1247-1279 Henry III Penny Iohs London

A collectable hammered silver Penny of King Henry the Third, struck towards the end of his reign at the London mint by the moneyer IOhS. The obverse shows the typical facing bust of the king with sceptre in hand. There’s a voided long cross to the reverse with three pellets in each quarter and the lettering for moneyer and mint. ‘IOhS’ is not listed in the most common reference books for London but Churchill and Thomas’ study of the 1908 Brussels Hoard - the definitive work on Henry III’s long cross coinage - identifies 8 coins of this class (5C3) from 155,000 found. A scarce and interesting piece from a fascinating period in English history and a nice addition to any collection. Spink 1369, Churchill & Thomas 5C3.