First coinage penny of Alexander III

Michael Young said that when this coin turned up on 21 January it was encased in a lump of frozen soil. It took him 20 minutes to defrost the lump and extract the coin.

Michael’s find is a first coinage penny of Alexander III of Scotland. The detail isn’t at all clear but the coin is most likely to be an example of class III.

On the reverse the only letters that stand out are –O- E-T. If the full legend was visible then the most likely reading would be ROB ERT ON BER. Therefore, the moneyer will be Robert and the moneyer Berwick.

Valuation

The coin is weak in a number of places but would still grade near Fine for the issue. In terms of its probable value to a collector, I would price it at £30 to £35.

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