Continual sterling of Robert de Bethune

Phil Clark asked for information about the hammered silver coin pictured here, which was found in Worcestershire.

At first glance this coin looks like an English penny of Edward I. However, its exact identity is altogether different.

On the obverse the legend reads R COMES FLANDRIE. The design of the reverse is the same as English pennies but the legend reads MON ETA ALO TEN. The preceding details tell me that this is a Continual sterling of Robert de Bethune, who was Count of Flanders from 1305 to 1322. The mint at which the coin was struck is Alost.

Late in the 13th century England was plagued by an influx of sterlings from Europe. The earliest were crockards (roses in the hair of the head on the obverse) and pollards (with a bare head). They were fairly easy to spot and their circulation in England was eventually banned. . In order to make them less likely to be spotted, later Continental sterlings copied more closely the design of English pennies of Edward I and II.

Valuation

Phil’s find has a flat area on both sides and there is some ghosting on the obverse from the long cross on the reverse. It is otherwise about VF for a coin of its type. This is one of the least scarce types of Continental sterlings so my price rang would be no higher than £40-50.

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