English Silver Penny, Edward I

High grade coins will have most of the text and design visible on each side. Average grade coins have significant portions that are worn smooth.

 These silver pennies were minted from 1272 to 1307 during the reign of King Edward I, also known as "Hammer of the Scots" due to his invasion of Scotland and "Edward Longshanks" due to his height. He succeeded his father as king while participating in the Ninth Crusade in the Holy Land.

Aside from his military escapades, Edward is also remembered for reforming the coinage of England in 1279. His newly designed pennies featured a more lifelike bust of the king facing the front, and the legend on the obverse was longer, usually inscribed as "EDW REX ANGL DNS HYB" - Edward King of England, Lord of Ireland. The reverse had a long cross extending to the edge of the coin. The new design was not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical, as it made clipping - the illegal practice of shaving off small amounts of a coin's metal for profit - easier to detect. 

In addition to the penny, Edward I's new coinage also introduced the farthing, halfpenny, and groat, providing a wider range of denominations for the first time in English history. This innovation was a significant step forward in the development of the English monetary system, facilitating both domestic and international trade.

Silver pennies were minted in large quantities, mainly in London and Canterbury. The high-quality silver and the intricate design of these coins made them popular, leading to a significant drain on the local supply of silver. This popularity was so great that the export of English coins was forbidden in 1299 to protect the national treasury, though even this didn't completely stop the coins from leaving England.

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