Edward I 'Longshanks' coin value guide
Edward I · 1272–1307 · Penny, Halfpenny & Farthing, Groat
Denominations
Penny, Halfpenny & Farthing, Groat
Reign
1272–1307
What a coin is worth depends on its exact type, mint, grade and provenance — the type tables and value factors below explain what drives each one.
About these coins
Edward I's great recoinage of 1279 reorganised English money: it introduced reliable round halfpennies and farthings struck as proper coins (rather than cutting pennies into pieces), an experimental groat, and the long-cross 'sterling' penny that became the model for currency across much of Europe. His pennies, struck in enormous numbers, are among the most collected medieval English coins.
Edward I pennies are plentiful and affordable, attributed by class and mint; rarer mints (including the ecclesiastical and Continental mints) and high grade command more. Halfpennies and farthings are scarcer as small coins, and the early groat is a great rarity. Denomination, class, mint, grade and provenance set the value.
Penny — value by type
The long-cross 'sterling' penny of the 1279 coinage, struck in huge numbers at many mints. Typically 1.4g of silver.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
New Coinage penny 1279–1307 Facing crowned bust; long cross reverse. Attributed by class and mint. | Common |
Halfpenny & Farthing — value by type
Round silver halfpennies and farthings introduced in 1279 as proper coins, replacing cut fractions of the penny.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Halfpenny / Farthing 1279–1307 Small silver coins; round farthings in particular survive less often in good grade. | Scarcer than the penny |
Groat — value by type
An experimental fourpenny coin of the 1279 coinage, not widely adopted at the time.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Groat (early experimental) c. 1279 An early attempt at a larger silver denomination; very few survive. | Great rarity |
What drives the value
Type & rarity
Within a single reign, common types in collectable grade sit far below the scarce and rare types. Identifying the exact type is the first step in any valuation.
Mint & moneyer
Coins of rare mints, or with sought-after moneyer or privy-mark signatures, carry a clear premium over the common major-mint issues.
Grade & surfaces
A full, sharp strike with a clear portrait or design and legible legends commands the most. Weak striking, chips, cracks and corrosion all reduce value.
Provenance
A pedigree to a named cabinet or a recorded hoard adds both value and confidence in authenticity, especially for scarcer and higher-grade pieces.
Frequently asked questions
How much is an Edward I penny worth?
Pennies are plentiful and affordable, attributed by class and mint, with rarer mints and high grade commanding more. Halfpennies and farthings are scarcer and the early groat is a great rarity. Use the valuation tool for a figure based on realised prices for comparable coins.
What did the 1279 new coinage introduce?
Round halfpennies and farthings as proper struck coins, an experimental groat, and the long-cross sterling penny — a reform that put English money on a more reliable footing.
Why is the Edward I penny called a 'sterling'?
The reliable, good-silver English penny of this period was widely known as the 'sterling' and was copied and circulated across Europe, lending its name to the currency.