MEDIEVAL COIN

1204

Much clipped contemporary copy (possibly from a continental source) of a silver short cross penny of King John, Class Va. The reasons that this may be a forgery is the very large and atypical coarse portrait on the obverse and the combination of moneyer and mint on the reverse. There is not a moneyer whose initials start WA[...]E at the mint at Exeter ([E]X on reverse of coin). It is therefore suggested that this coin is a contemporary forgery and formed from elements taken from several coins of the period.Thanks are extended to Dr David Symons Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery for help in identifying this unusual coin.