William I penny

The detectorist who unearthed this coin asked to remain anonymous. The coin was thought to be a penny of William II but the finder wasn’t sure. He said he had not reported it yet due to the latest lockdown.

On the obverse is a profile portrait of the king and on the reverse a cross pattee with an annulet in the centre and voided trefoils in the angles. Pennies like this one were struck during the reign of William I and are catalogued as type VII (number 1256 in the Standard Catalogue). Type VII is the rarest of the eight types struck for William I.

On the reverse the legend reads +PIILFPINE ON LIIN; in both cases the II stands for V. The legends on some pennies of William I and II can be difficult to reads as II can stand for V (U), H or N. The legend on this coin translates as Wulfwine of London.

Valuation

The coin has some wear but is good enough to grade good Fine and has good eye appeal. London is the commonest mint for William I but, as already mentioned, type VII is the rarest for the reign. My pre-sale auction estimate is £700 – £900.

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