Edward III coin value guide
Edward III · 1327–1377 · Noble, Half-Noble & Quarter-Noble, Groat & Half-Groat, Penny & smaller
Denominations
Noble, Half-Noble & Quarter-Noble, Groat & Half-Groat, Penny & smaller
Reign
1327–1377
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 III's long reign transformed English coinage. After the short-lived gold florin of 1344, he introduced the gold noble, half-noble and quarter-noble — the first lasting English gold coinage — and in 1351 added the silver groat (fourpence) and half-groat to the penny series. His coins span pre-treaty, treaty and post-treaty periods reflecting the shifting fortunes of the Hundred Years' War, and are a cornerstone of medieval English collecting.
The gold noble is one of the most admired medieval coins, showing the king standing in a ship. Silver groats and half-groats are popular and widely available; pennies and smaller coins, and the various mints (London, Calais, York, Durham) and periods, give enormous scope. The rare 1344 florin ('Double Leopard') is a celebrated great rarity. Denomination, period, mint, grade and provenance set the value.
Noble — value by type
The flagship gold coin, valued at six shillings and eightpence (a third of a pound), showing the king crowned and armoured in a ship.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Noble (pre-treaty, treaty, post-treaty) 1344–1377 King standing in a ship; struck at London and Calais across the war periods. | Available for a gold coin; periods vary |
Half-Noble & Quarter-Noble — value by type
Gold fractions of the noble — the half-noble (3s 4d) and the quarter-noble (1s 8d), the smaller and most affordable medieval gold.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Half-Noble / Quarter-Noble 1344–1377 Ship type (half) and shield type (quarter); the quarter-noble is among the more frequently traded medieval gold coins. | Quarter-noble the most affordable gold |
Groat & Half-Groat — value by type
The silver groat (4d) and half-groat (2d), introduced as lasting denominations in 1351.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Groat / Half-Groat 1351–1377 Facing crowned bust; struck at London, York and Calais in the treaty and post-treaty periods. | Popular and widely available |
Penny & smaller — value by type
The silver penny, halfpenny and farthing continued throughout the reign, including ecclesiastical issues of York and Durham.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Penny / Halfpenny / Farthing 1327–1377 Long-cross types; mint and class (London, York, Durham) drive scarcity. | Common to scarce |
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 III noble worth?
The gold noble is one of the most admired medieval coins, with value resting on period (pre-treaty, treaty, post-treaty), mint, grade and provenance. Use the valuation tool for a figure based on realised prices for comparable coins.
What coins did Edward III introduce?
The first lasting English gold coinage — the noble, half-noble and quarter-noble — after the short-lived 1344 florin, and in 1351 the silver groat (4d) and half-groat (2d) alongside the existing penny series.
What is the rarest Edward III coin?
The gold florin or 'Double Leopard' of 1344 is a celebrated great rarity, known from only a few examples; the gold leopard and helm of the same short-lived issue are likewise extremely rare.
Are Edward III silver groats affordable?
Many are — the groat and half-groat are popular and widely available in collectable grades, with scarcer mints, periods and high grade commanding more.