Penny of Alexander III

This hammered silver con was unearthed by John Lashmar, who asked for a full ID and a valuation on his find.

The coin is a penny of Alexander III and was struck during the second coinage, which commenced circa 1259 and ended on this king’s death in 1286. It has been estimated that as many as 50 million Scottish pennies of this type were struck.

As could be expected from such a huge issue, there are many types, varieties and mules. On the obverse of this example the legend starts with a plain cross, the letter E is open and the letter A is unbarred. On the reverse the legend ends with a cross pattee, the C and E are open, the letter S is composite (formed from crescents and wedges) and the R has a wedge-shaped tail.

The preceding information points towards this penny being a mule of a class M obverse combined with a class Bc reverse. As such it is rare.

Valuation

Despite being weak in places the coin would grade good Fine. As it is a rare variety I’d price it at £60-80.

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