Penny (Henry VI)
IssuerIssued by
King Henry VI
(Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, 1421 - 1471)
Date1422 - 1427
Object NamePenny
Mediumsilver
ClassificationsCoins
DimensionsOverall: Diameter: 28 mm, Thickness: 1 mm
Weight: Weight: 0.72 gm
Weight: Weight: 0.72 gm
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDMS013776
About MeAs the money economy of England developed in the mid 14th century the need arose for a coin of higher value than the penny. It was met by the silver groat valued at four pence. Edward I struck a few groats experimentally but the coin was not regularly issued until 1351, in Edward III's reign.Contemporary reports of one of the 1807 hoards from St. Nicholas Street, Aberdeen mention that groats were present. These would have been of Edward III and their inclusion in the hoard means that the date of its concealment would have been the mid 1350s at the earliest.
The new groat introduced by Edward III in 1351 was essentially similar in design to the penny but the larger format meant that more embellishment was possible. As on the English penny the mint name continues to feature and forms the inner circle of the inscription.
