Henry III coin value guide
Henry III · 1216–1272 · Penny, Gold Penny
Denominations
Penny, Gold Penny
Reign
1216–1272
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
Henry III's 56-year reign began with the Short Cross penny inherited from his predecessors and, in 1247, introduced the Long Cross penny, whose cross was extended to the edge to deter clipping. The reign is also famous for the gold penny of 1257 — England's first regular gold coin since Anglo-Saxon times, and one of the great rarities of the entire series, known from only a handful of examples.
Long Cross pennies are plentiful and a popular, affordable medieval type, with value resting on class, mint and grade; early classes without a sceptre and rare mints command more. The Short Cross issues are scarcer in his name. The gold penny is in a class entirely its own. Type, class, mint, grade and provenance set the level.
Penny — value by type
The staple silver penny, struck first as Short Cross and from 1247 as Long Cross. Typically 1.3–1.45g of silver.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Short Cross 1216–1247 The final phase of the Short Cross series before the 1247 reform. | Scarcer in Henry III's name |
Long Cross 1247–1272 Cross extended to the edge to deter clipping; struck with and without sceptre, in many classes and mints. | Common |
Gold Penny — value by type
The gold penny of 1257, valued at twenty pence — England's first regular gold coin since the Anglo-Saxon period.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Gold Penny 1257 King enthroned; one of the great rarities of the English series, known from very few examples. | Extremely 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 Henry III penny worth?
Long Cross pennies are a plentiful, affordable medieval type, while early classes, rare mints and high grade command more, and the Short Cross issues are scarcer. Value rests on type, class, mint and grade — use the valuation tool for a figure based on realised prices for comparable coins.
What is the Henry III gold penny?
It is the gold penny of 1257, worth twenty silver pence — England's first regular gold coin since Anglo-Saxon times. It is one of the great rarities of the entire English series, known from only a handful of surviving examples.
Why was the Long Cross introduced?
In 1247 the cross on the reverse was extended right to the edge of the coin so that any clipping of the silver would be obvious, helping protect the currency.