Coin number one is an unusual Roman denarius, which dates from the Civil War period of AD 68-69. On the obverse is a veiled and draped bust of Vesta and a legend that reads VESTA P R QVIRITIVM. On the reverse is a distyle temple, within which is a statue of the seated figure of Jupiter.

In volume I of David Sear’s Roman Coins and Their Values denarii of this type are listed as number 2085 and are said to have been struck by pro-Vitellian forces in Southern Gaul. The type is very rare and this is the first example I have heard of as a detecting find.

Valuation

The coin is scuffed, especially on the reverse and it looks to still have some dirt in the crevices. Therefore, it has some defects but is otherwise better than Fine for the type. A likely pre-sale auction estimate should be close to £400.

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On the obverse is a crowned bust facing slightly to the left. There is a lion below and the legend reads EDWARD REX AnGL.

On the reverse is a cross with a crown in each quarter and on this side the legend reads DVX AQV TA nIE.  In each of the incurved ends of the cross is a trefoil. The preceding information adds up to the coin being an Anglo-Gallic demi-sterling. The obverse names Edward III as King of England and the reverse names him as Duke of Aquitaine. In Coins of Scotland, Ireland and the Islands coins of this type are listed as number 8048.

Valuation

Anglo-Gallic coins rarely turn up as detecting finds in England. This demi-sterling is very rare and the first I have heard of as a detecting find. It would grade nearly VF but in one quarter the edge is rather ragged. As it stands, my valuation range would be £350-380.

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The latest coin was struck for Mark Antony, when he was sharing power with Octavian and Lepidus. On the obverse is the bare head of M. Antony and a legend reading M ANT AVG III VIR R P C M BARBAT Q P. On the reverse is the bare head of Octavian and on this side the legend reads CAESAR IMP PONT III VIR R P C.

Denarii of this type were struck at Ephesus during 41 BC. In volume I of David Sear’s Roman Coins and Their Values they are listed as number 1504.

Valuation

The obverse has been struck a bit off centre and the reverse is well off centre. On both sides the surfaces look good and overall the coin would grade good VF. Unfortunately, on the obverse there is a round countermark on the neck of M. Antony, which will reduce the coin’s appeal and value.  In its present condition a likely pre-sale auction estimate would be £300-350.

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The coin is a third guinea of George III and it is dated 1762 on the reverse. It would grade better than Fine but has been bent to form a love token. The person who presented it to someone must have been very love-sick, for it would have a spending power of seven shillings – which was a large amount of money in the second half of the 18^th century.

Valuation

Very recently a worn love token of the same date was sold at auction for £180. The example sent in by Steve is in better condition so it should fetch at least £220.

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The coin is a groat of Edward IV, which was struck during the light coinage of the first reign of this king. On the obverse there is a letter E on the king’s breast and small trefoils by his neck. On the reverse the inner legend reads CIVI TAS EBO RACI, which points towards the York mint.

Valuation

This groat is weak and flat in places but all the main details are clear. In its present condition I’d grade it as Fair to about Fine and price it at £40.

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On the reverse is the head of Genius Saeculari Novi facing right, with a four-rayed comet with tail above. On this side the legend reads M SANQVINIVS III VIR.

In volume I of David Sear’s Roman Coins and Their Values denarii of this type are listed as number 1621. Sear quotes A. A. Boyce in suggesting that the head on the reverse could be a personification of the ‘New Age’ ushered in by the new emperor.

Valuation

This is a rare coin, which, in terms of circulation wear, would grade good VF. However, from the images I received it is impossible to assess its surfaces. Does the coin have silver surfaces, which would add to its appeal, or are they a ‘dead’ grey colour? It is possible to have two examples of the same coin, both of exactly the same grade, but the appearance of one has more ‘eye appeal’ than the other.

Over the last few years a number of examples of Sear 1621 have been sold at auction; the average for VF has been around £2,500 and an EF example reached £4,200. What the example pictured here would fetch depends on what it looks like ‘in the flesh’ (so to speak).

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This coin is a groat of David II of Scotland (1329-71). It was struck during series B of David’s second coinage (1357-67). On the reverse the inner legend reads VILL AED InBV RGh so it was struck at Edinburgh. In the RGh quarter there is a tiny cross, so this groat is an example of number 5096 in Scotland, Ireland and the Islands.

Valuation

Most groats of David II are not particularly scarce but the cross on the reverse of this coin makes it rather special. This particular die paring is very rare indeed. Unfortunately, the overall state of preservation isn’t good. It would grade better than Fine in terms of circulation wear but the flan is uneven and there are cracks in the edge.  It would still be of interest to specialists but my price range would be no higher than £150-180.

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Some detail shows up on the obverse but it is indistinct.  On the reverse is what remains of a large cross crosslet with a cross in each angle. In Coins of Scotland, Ireland and the Islands pennies of this type are listed as 5013 and 5014; the former were struck in the name of Prince Henry and the latter bear the name of King Stephen. Due to its overall condition, I can’t say if it was struck for a King or for a Prince.

Valuation

Sadly, this cut quarter would grade no higher than Fair. However, a plus point is its great rarity so if I was cataloguing it for sale at auction I would set the pre-sale estimate at £170-200.

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The coin is a penny of Henry I and is an example of the extremely rare pointing bust and stars type (BMC 6). In J. J. North’s English Hammered Coinage it is listed as number 862 and in the Standard Catalogue it is number 1267.

On the reverse the legend reads +PVLFPINE:ON:IVN. The letter F is a peculiar shape and the first letter of the mint signature looks like an I rather than a letter L. Therefore, the moneyer is Wulfwine and the mint London.

Valuation

The obverse of Dean’s find would grade Fair to Fine but the reverse is better and would grade Fine. As the coin is a real rarity I didn’t expect to trace another example. Surprisingly, a die duplicate was sold at auction during 2022; this was graded as VF for the issue and the hammer price was £2,200. The state of preservation of Dean’s find is not as good so if it was offered for sale at auction a likely pre-sale estimate would be no higher than £800-1,000.

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The coin has been reported to a FLO but as yet Louise has had no response. If she has been waiting for roughly a month or more then it would be worthwhile reminding the FLO about this find.

This is a rather peculiar coin. The centres point towards it being a Watford type penny of Stephen. However, nothing shows up in the legend on both sides.

Over the years I’ve seen tens of thousands of hammered silver coin but I can’t remember one like this. If the centres are reasonably clear then why aren’t the legends? Perhaps the lettering shows up better on the coin itself but Louise will have to wait until the FLO gets back to her to find out.

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