Demi Sterling of Edward III
This is another coin from the group that came in from Ray Kyte. The coins were all found 50 years since, when Ray used to go out detecting.
The images show that this find is a silver coin of Edward III. However, rather than being struck at an English mint, it is belongs to a series of Anglo-Gallic coins that circulated in France. This specimen was struck for Edward III, who had inherited the title of Duke of Aquitaine, which was first held by Henry II after he married Eleanor of Aquitaine in 1152.
On the obverse is a bust facing slightly to the left with a lion passant below; the legend on this side reads +EDWARD REX ANGL. On the reverse is a long cross with crowns in the angles and the legend on this side reads DVX AQV ITA NIE. The mint is not altogether certain but could be Bordeaux.
When I first received the images I thought the coin was about 20mm in diameter and a silver sterling. They are rare as detecting finds but when I inquired about the size Ray said it measured only15mm in diameter. Therefore, it is a demi-sterling, which is rarer still and I’ve never heard of an example being found in England. In Coins of Scotland, Ireland and the Islands it is listed as number 8048.    Â
Valuation
This find would grade only Fair but as it is a rarity it could still be worth £80-100 to a keen collector of Anglo-Gallic coins.
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