Harold II (Harold Godwinson) coin value guide
Harold II · 1066 · Penny
Denominations
Penny
Reign
1066
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
Harold II — Harold Godwinson — reigned for just nine months in 1066 before his death at Hastings. His coinage is a single principal type, the PAX penny, struck at mints across England. As the coin of the last crowned Anglo-Saxon king, in the most famous year in English history, it is one of the most evocative and keenly sought pennies of the whole series.
The brevity of the reign makes every example genuinely rare. Demand is amplified by the historical resonance of 1066, so even modest examples command strong prices, and high grade or rare mints climb sharply. Type, mint, grade and provenance set the level.
Value by type
The standard Anglo-Saxon silver penny, struck in Harold's name during his nine-month reign in 1066. Typically 1.2–1.4g of silver.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
PAX 1066 Crowned bust with sceptre; PAX across the reverse field — the principal and famous type of the reign. | Rare |
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 a Harold II penny worth?
As the coin of the last Anglo-Saxon king, struck for only nine months in 1066, every example is rare and keenly sought, with grade and mint driving the figure higher. Use the valuation tool for an estimate based on realised prices for comparable coins.
Why are Harold II's coins so famous?
They are the coinage of the last crowned Anglo-Saxon king, struck in 1066 — the year of the Norman Conquest — which gives them enormous historical resonance alongside their genuine rarity.
What type did Harold II strike?
Almost entirely the PAX penny, showing a crowned bust with sceptre and the word PAX (peace) across the reverse.