Medieval Irish Hammered Farthings: John I Dublin Farthings

In the summer of 1167, a small band of Anglo-Norman adventurers set sail from Pembrokeshire and landed on the County Wexford coast. Within two years, the Norse ports of Wexford, Waterford and Dublin had fallen; and the Gaelic Irish were mustering against these well armed invaders.

In October 1171, Henry Plantagenet - King Henry II - himself arrived in Ireland, anxious to re-assert his authority over these Anglo-Norman nobles and to add this promising new dominion to his extensive Anglo-French empire. It was a defining moment in Irish history, marking the establishment of the Lordship of Ireland: in effect creating the first English colony.

John Lackland was the youngest son of Henry II and brother of Richard I "The Lionhearted". In 1177, while John was only 9 years old, Henry II made him Lord of Ireland - a position held by John until becoming king in 1199. During his Lordship, a series of farthings were produced in Ireland with a mascle on one side and for letters from the name of the moneyer on the other. Edward Colgan in For Want of Good Money states: "It is possible that under a hundred of these coins survive."

The farthings of John must have remained in circulation in Ireland well into the reign of his son Henry III, for in 1250 Henry granted Dublin certain tariffs on goods for "for the enclosing and strengthening of that city." This grant lists a number of goods to be taxed at one "quadrans" which was the medieval latin term for a farthing. Click here to learn more about this grant.

Contemporary forgeries of these farthings occassionally appear on the market. Click here to see a contemporary forgery and to find out more.

No farthings of John as Lord of Ireland were known until 1806, when several were discovered along with some Anglo-Irish halfpence of the same period. The farthings had the same moneyers names as found on some of the halfpence from this hoard (ref. Lindsay, J. A View of the Coinage of Ireland, p.25.

Date: 1190-1194?
Mint: Dublin
Type: SECOND COINAGE - First Issue
Moneyer: NORMAN of DUBLIN

Diameter: 10mm
Weight: 0.35gm

Obverse: NORM
Moneyers name as letters within the angles of the obverse cross.
Letters facing in towards the centre of the cross.
Letters of moneyer's name is read clockwise (i.e. NORM).
Pellet under each letter.

Reverse: Mascle with trefoils at the points.

Reference(s):
S.6220
DF.38
Scarcity: Extremely Rare

Guide Price:
£675 (Fine)
£1700 (Very Fine)

Note: Examples of this type:

British Museum (E.2869)
DNW Auction 55, June 2001 (photo above)
Tregear Collection
John Stafford-Langan

Date: 1190-1194?
Mint: Dublin
Type: SECOND COINAGE - First Issue Variant
Moneyer: NORMAN of DUBLIN

Diameter: 10mm
Weight: 0.35gm

Obverse: MRON (R reversed)
Moneyers name as letters within the angles of the obverse cross.
Letters facing in towards the centre of the cross.
Letters of moneyer's name is read anti-clockwise (i.e. MRON).
Letter R is reversed.
Pellet under each letter.

Reverse: Mascle with trefoils at the points.

Reference(s):
S.6220
DF.38
Scarcity: Extremely Rare

Guide Price:
£675 (Fine)
£1750 (Very Fine)

Note: One examples of this type is listed in the SCBI 10, "Anglo-Irish
Coins in the Ulster Museum":

(68) Grainger [donated to the Ulster Museum in 1891], letters inward and retrograde - R reversed.

Other examples of this type:

British Museum (E.2870) - ex. Walker Collection
DNW Auction 99, March 2012 (photo above)

Date: 1190-1194?
Mint: Dublin
Type: SECOND COINAGE - First Issue
Moneyer: ROBERD (or RODBERD) of DUBLIN

Diameter: 10mm
Weight: 0.35gm

Obverse: ROBE
Moneyers name as letters within the angles of the obverse cross.
Letters facing in towards the centre of the cross.
Letters of moneyer's name is read clockwise. Pellet under each
letter. The example seen has the O punched over another O in
NORM.

Reverse: Mascle with trefoils at the points.

Reference(s):
S.6220
DF.38
Scarcity: Extremely Rare

Guide Price:
£675 (Fine)
£1750 (Very Fine)

Note: No example of this coin was in the Ulster Museum at the time
"Anglo-Irish Coins in the Ulster Museum" was published.
One example was listed as in the British Museum:

Other examples of this type:

British Museum - not seen but included as a supplimental coin in "Anglo-Irish Coins in the Ulster Museum" (plate XVI, 4).

Date: 1190-1194?
Mint: Dublin
Type: SECOND COINAGE - First Issue
Moneyer: ROBERD (or RODBERD) of DUBLIN

Diameter: 10mm
Weight: 0.35gm

Obverse: ROBE
Moneyers name as letters within the angles of the obverse cross.
Letters facing in towards the centre of the cross.
Letters of moneyer's name is read anti-clockwise (i.e. EBOR).
Pellet under each letter.

Reverse: Mascle with trefoils at the points.

Reference(s):
S.6220
DF.38
Scarcity: Extremely Rare

Guide Price:
£675 (Fine)
£1750 (Very Fine)

Note: No example of this coin was in the Ulster Museum at the time
"Anglo-Irish Coins in the Ulster Museum" was published.

Other examples of this type:

British Museum (E.2871).

Date: 1190-1199
Mint: Dublin
Type: SECOND COINAGE - First Issue
Moneyer: TURGOD of DUBLIN

Diameter: 10mm
Weight: 0.35gm

Obverse: TVRG
Moneyers name as letters within the angles of the obverse cross.

Reverse: Mascle with trefoils at the points.

Reference(s):
S.6220
DF.38
Scarcity: Extremely Rare

Guide Price:
£675 (Fine)
£1750 (Very Fine)

Known examples:

An example of this coin was listed in the SCBI 10, "Anglo-Irish Coins in the Ulster Museum":

(70) Carlyon-Britton [1962], ex. Dudman 725 (Sotheby's, 15-19 Dec. 1913), Bearman Collection, H. Clark(e).

A further example is in the Dr Rogers Collection, donated to the British Museum (referenced and illustrated in Withers' "Irish Small Silver").

Date: 1194-1198
Mint: Dublin
Type: SECOND COINAGE - Second Issue
Moneyer: ADAM of DUBLIN

Diameter: 10mm
Weight: 0.35gm

Obverse: ADAM
Moneyers name as letters within the angles of the obverse cross. Letters facing outwards - except M which faces inwards.

Reverse: Mascle with trefoils at the points.

Reference(s):
Coffey 1
S.6220
DF.41
Scarcity: Extremely Rare

Guide Price:
£675 (Fine)
£1750 (Very Fine)

Date: 1194-1198
Mint: Dublin
Type: SECOND COINAGE - Second Issue
Moneyer: ADAM of DUBLIN

Diameter: 10mm
Weight: 0.35gm

Obverse: ADAM
Moneyers name as letters within the angles of the obverse cross. Letters facing outwards.

Reverse: Mascle with trefoils at the points.

Reference(s):
Coffey 1
S.6220
DF.41
Scarcity: Extremely Rare

Guide Price:
£675 (Fine)
£1750 (Very Fine)

Note: Two examples of this coin are listed in the SCBI 10, "Anglo-Irish Coins in the Ulster Museum":

(131) Pilgrim Trust [donated to the Ulster Museum in 1957], ex. Lockett 507 (Glendining, 28 Nov 1951) letters outward and D retrograde.
(69) Carlyon-Britton [1962], ex. Cunningham 561 (Glendining, 31 Jan to 2 Feb 1951) - lettering as on 131.

A further example is in the National Museum of Ireland, Dublin (referenced and illustrated in Withers' "Irish Small Silver").

Date: 1194-1198
Mint: Dublin
Type: SECOND COINAGE - Second Issue
Moneyer: NICHOLAS of DUBLIN

Diameter: 10mm
Weight: 0.35gm

Obverse: NICO
Moneyers name as letters within the angles of the obverse cross.

Reverse: Mascle with trefoils at the points.

Reference(s):
S.6220
DF.41
Scarcity: Extremely Rare

Guide Price:
£675 (Fine)
£1750 (Very Fine)

Known examples:

No example of this coin was in the Ulster Museum at the time "Anglo-Irish Coins in the Ulster Museum" was published. One example was listed as in the British Museum:

(Plate XVI, 6) Mascle farthing, with the moneyers' name, NICO

Date: 1194-1198
Mint: Dublin
Type: SECOND COINAGE - Second Issue
Moneyer: TOMAS of DUBLIN

Diameter: 10mm
Weight: 0.35gm

Obverse: TOMA
Moneyers name as letters within the angles of the obverse cross.

Reverse: Mascle with trefoils at the points.

Reference(s):
S.6220
DF.41
Scarcity: Extremely Rare

Guide Price:
£675 (Fine)
£1750 (Very Fine)

Known examples:

No example of this coin was in the Ulster Museum at the time "Anglo-Irish Coins in the Ulster Museum" was published. A coin of this moneyer was included in Simon's "An Essay towards an Historical Account of Irish Coins," (2nd edition) 1810, plate 11. No example has been seen by this author.

Date: 1194-1198
Mint: Waterford - Second Issue
Type: SECOND COINAGE
Moneyer: GEFREI of WATERFORD

Diameter: 10mm
Weight: 0.35gm

Obverse: GEFR
Moneyers name as letters within the angles of the obverse cross.

Reverse: Mascle with trefoils at the points.

Reference(s):
S.6221
DF41
Scarcity: Extremely Rare

Guide Price:
£1500 (Fine)
£3500 (Very Fine)

Known examples:

No example of this coin was in the Ulster Museum at the time "Anglo-Irish Coins in the Ulster Museum" was published. One example was listed as in the National Museum of Ireland, Dublin (also referenced and illustrated in Withers' "Irish Small Silver").:

(Plate XVI, 11) Mascle farthing, with the moneyers' name, GEFR

Date: 1194-1198
Mint: Waterford
Type: SECOND COINAGE - Second Issue
Moneyer: MARCUS of WATERFORD

Diameter: 10mm
Weight: 0.35gm

Obverse: MARC
Moneyers name as letters within the angles of the obverse cross.

Reverse: Mascle with trefoils at the points.

Reference(s):
S.6221
DF41
Scarcity: Extremely Rare

Guide Price:
£1500 (Fine)
£3500 (Very Fine)

Known examples:

No example of this coin was in the Ulster Museum at the time "Anglo-Irish Coins in the Ulster Museum" was published. One example was listed as in the British Museum:

(Plate XVI, 9) Mascle farthing, with the moneyers' name, MARC

Date: 1194-1198
Mint: Waterford
Type: SECOND COINAGE - Second Issue - Variant
Moneyer: MARCUS of WATERFORD

Diameter: 10mm
Weight: 0.35gm

Obverse: MARC
Moneyers name as letters within the angles of the obverse cross.
Pellet in the center of the letter C in MARC.

Reverse: Mascle with trefoils at the points.

Reference(s):
S.6221
DF41
Scarcity: Extremely Rare

Guide Price:
£1500 (Fine)
£3500 (Very Fine)

No other example of this coin is know.

Date: 1194-1198
Mint: Waterford
Type: SECOND COINAGE - Second Issue
Moneyer: WALTER of WATERFORD

Diameter: 10mm
Weight: 0.35gm

Obverse: WALT
Moneyers name as letters within the angles of the obverse cross.

Reverse: Mascle with trefoils at the points.

Reference(s):
S.6221
DF41
Scarcity: Extremely Rare

Guide Price:
£1500 (Fine)
£3500 (Very Fine)

Known examples:

No example of this coin was in the Ulster Museum at the time "Anglo-Irish Coins in the Ulster Museum" was published. One example was listed as in the British Museum:

(Plate XVI, 10) Mascle farthing, with the moneyers' name, WALT

Date: 1194-1198
Mint: Limerick
Type: SECOND COINAGE - Second Issue
Moneyer: SIWARD of LIMERICK

Diameter: 10mm
Weight: 0.35gm

Obverse: SIWA
Moneyers name as letters within the angles of the obverse cross.

Reverse: Mascle with trefoils at the points.

Reference(s):
S.6222
DF41
Scarcity: Extremely Rare

Guide Price:
£1250 (Fine)
£2750 (Very Fine)

Known examples:

Two examples of this coin are listed in the SCBI 10, "Anglo-Irish Coins in the Ulster Museum":

(140) Carlyon-Britton [1962], dies 1/2.
(131) Pilgrim Trust [donated to the Ulster Museum in 1957], dies 1/2, ex. Lockett 506 (Glendining, 28 Nov 1951).

Date: in the style of 1194-1198
Mint: forgery
Type: in the style of SECOND COINAGE - First or Second Issue
Moneyer: -

Diameter: 10mm
Weight: 0.27gm

Obverse: Blundered lettering
Letters/shapes within the angles of the obverse cross.
The "letters" are more lines, circles and blobs that, however hard
you try there is no moneyer's name that becomes visible. The
National Museum of Ireland and the British Museum looked at the
coin and were able to say that the moneyer wasn't ALEX or WALT
but neither could identify a moneyer. Upon closer investigation,
there are also key elements of the design missing.

Reverse: Mascle with trefoils at the points.

Reference(s): -
Scarcity: -

Guide Price:
£150 (Fine)
£300 (Very Fine)

Date: c.1186
Mint: Downpatrick
Type: "ST. PATRICK" COINAGE
Diameter: 12mm
Weight: 0.32gm

Obverse: +PATRICII
Cross potent.

Reverse: +GOAN D CVRCI
Voided cross potent.

Reference(s):
S.6224
DF.49
Scarcity: Very Rare

Guide Price:
£2000 (Fine)
£5250 (Very Fine)

Known examples:

No example of this coin was in the Ulster Museum at the time "Anglo-Irish Coins in the Ulster Museum" was published. One example was listed as in the National Museum of Ireland, Dublin:

(Plate XVI, 15) GOAN D CVRCI

Another example is in the National Museum of Ireland, Dublin (referenced and illustrated in Withers' "Irish Small Silver").

Date: c.1185-c.1205
Mint: Downpatrick
Type: ANONYMOUS COINAGE
Diameter: 10mm-12mm
Weight: 0.38gm

Obverse: +PATRICII
Around a Processional Cross.

Reverse: +DE DVNO
Around a cross potent with crescents in the angles.

Reference(s):
W.1
S.6225
DF.47
Scarcity: Very Rare

Guide Price:
£950 (Fine)
£2750 (Very Fine)

10 examples of this coin are listed in the SCBI 10, "Anglo-Irish Coins in the Ulster Museum":

(330) Pilgrim Trust [donated to the Ulster Museum in 1957], ex. Lockett 509 (Glendining, 28 Nov 1951), Sir John Evans Collection (Lockett acquired coins from this collection that were not required by the English National Collection).
(331) Pilgrim Trust [donated to the Ulster Museum in 1957], ex. Lockett 509 (Glendining, 28 Nov 1951), Sir John Evans Collection.
(332) Seaby (1958), broken.
(333) Acworth [donated to the Ulster Museum in 1961], ex. Col. R.H. Wallace Collection.
(334) Carlyon-Britton [1962].
(335) Carlyon-Britton [1962].
(336) Carlyon-Britton [1962].
(337) Carlyon-Britton [1962], ex. Walters Collection (private sale on 19 Sept 1919).
(338) Carlyon-Britton [1962].
(339) Carlyon-Britton [1962].

A further example is in the National Museum of Ireland, Dublin (referenced and illustrated in Withers' "Irish Small Silver").

Date: c.1185-c.1205
Mint: Downpatrick
Type: ANONYMOUS COINAGE
Diameter: 10mm-12mm
Weight: 0.38gm

Obverse: +PATRICI
Around a Processional Cross.

Reverse: +DE DVNO
Around a cross potent with crescents in the angles.

Reference(s):
W.unlisted variant
S.6225
DF.47
Scarcity: Very Rare

Guide Price:
£950 (Fine)
£2750 (Very Fine)

Date: c.1185-c.1205
Mint: Carrickfergus
Type: ANONYMOUS COINAGE
Diameter: 10mm-12mm
Weight: 0.38gm

Obverse: +PATRICI
Around a Processional Cross.

Reverse: +CRACFEVF
Around a voided cross potent.

Reference(s):
W.2
S.6226
DF.48
Scarcity: Very Rare

Guide Price:
£1000 (Fine)
£3000 (Very Fine)

Note: An example is in the National Museum of Ireland, Dublin (referenced and illustrated in Withers' "Irish Small Silver").

Date: c.1185-c.1205
Mint: Carrickfergus
Type: ANONYMOUS COINAGE
Diameter: 10mm-12mm
Weight: 0.38gm

Obverse: +PATRICI
Around a Processional Cross.

Reverse: +CRACF
Around a voided cross potent.

Reference(s):
W.3
S.6226
DF.48
Scarcity: Very Rare

Guide Price:
£1000 (Fine)
£3000 (Very Fine)

Known examples:

Three examples of this coin are listed in the SCBI 10, "Anglo-Irish Coins in the Ulster Museum":

(340) Carlyon-Britton [1962] - reads CRAGF, ex. Spink, SNC 1931, c. 364: 9809
(341) Grainger [donated to the Ulster Museum in 1891] - reads CRAGF.
(342) Robb [donated to the Ulster Museum in 1937] - reads CRAGF.

A further example is in the National Museum of Ireland, Dublin (referenced and illustrated in Withers' "Irish Small Silver").

Date: c.1185-c.1205
Mint: Carrickfergus
Type: ANONYMOUS COINAGE
Diameter: 10mm-12mm
Weight: 0.38gm

Obverse: +PATRICII
Around a Processional Cross.

Reverse: +CRACF
Around a voided cross pommee.

Reference(s):
W.4
S.6227
DF.48
Scarcity: Very Rare

Guide Price:
£850 (Fine)
£2500 (Very Fine)

Known examples:

No example of this coin was in the Ulster Museum at the time "Anglo-Irish Coins in the Ulster Museum" was published. One example was listed as in the National Museum of Ireland, Dublin:

(Plate XVI, 18)

Further examples

National Museum of Ireland, Dublin (referenced and illustrated in Withers' "Irish Small Silver")
CNG e-auction, 11 April 2012 (a fragment only)

Date: 1204/05-1210/11
Mint: Dublin
Type: THIRD COINAGE
Moneyer: ROBERD (Master Robert of Bedford, later to be elected to the see of Glendalough and on to become Bishop of Lismore)

Diameter: 10mm
Weight: 0.35gm

Obverse: IOh AN RE
Crowned bust in triangle, stars either side.

Reverse: RO BE RD
Sun in triangle.

Reference(s):
W.
S.6234
DF.52
Scarcity: Extremely Rare

Guide Price:
£475 (Fine)
£1250 (Very Fine)

Known examples:

An example (legend reads RO BE RD) of this coin is listed in the SCBI 10, "Anglo-Irish Coins in the Ulster Museum" (the various legend types are not identified):

(340) Carlyon-Britton [1962], ex. Longbottom 317 (Sotheby 14-15 May 1934).

Another example (legend reads RO BE RD) is in the collection of Richard Walshe (referenced and illustrated in Withers' "Irish Small Silver").

Date: 1204/05-1210/11
Mint: Dublin
Type: THIRD COINAGE
Moneyer: ROBERD (Master Robert of Bedford, later to be elected to the see of Glendalough and on to become Bishop of Lismore)

Diameter: 10mm
Weight: 0.35gm

Obverse: IOh AN REX
Crowned bust in triangle, stars either side.

Reverse: ROB. ERD ON.
Sun in triangle.

Reference(s):
W.
S.6234
DF.52
Scarcity: Extremely Rare

Guide Price:
£475 (Fine)
£1250 (Very Fine)

No example of this coin was in the Ulster Museum at the time "Anglo-Irish Coins in the Ulster Museum" was published.

Date: 1204/05-1210/11
Mint: Dublin
Type: THIRD COINAGE
Moneyer: ROBERD (Master Robert of Bedford, later to be elected to the see of Glendalough and on to become Bishop of Lismore)

Diameter: 10mm
Weight: 0.35gm

Obverse: IOh AN. REX.
Crowned bust in triangle, stars either side.

Reverse: ROB. ERD ON.
Sun in triangle.

Reference(s):
W.
S.6234
DF.52
Scarcity: Extremely Rare

Guide Price:
£475 (Fine)
£1250 (Very Fine)

Known Examples:

No example of this coin was in the Ulster Museum at the time "Anglo-Irish Coins in the Ulster Museum" was published.

An example (legend reads ROB· ERD ON·) is in the National Museum of Ireland, Dublin (referenced and illustrated in Withers' "Irish Small Silver").

Date: 1204/05-1210/11
Mint: Dublin
Type: THIRD COINAGE
Moneyer: ROBERD (Master Robert of Bedford, later to be elected to the see of Glendalough and on to become Bishop of Lismore)

Diameter: 10mm
Weight: 0.35gm

Obverse: IOh AN REX
Crowned bust in triangle, stars either side.

Reverse: ROB. ER. DO.
Sun in triangle.

Reference(s):
W.Unrecorded variety
S.6234
DF.52
Scarcity: Extremely Rare

Guide Price:
£475 (Fine)
£1250 (Very Fine)

Sold by:

No example of this coin was in the Ulster Museum at the time "Anglo-Irish Coins in the Ulster Museum" was published.

(1998) A good very fine example this coin was sold by Patrick Finn (List 13, 1998, Item 412).

Patrick Finn noted: "A very difficult coin to find; in DF (DOWLE & FINN, P. 1969: A Guide Book to the Coinage of Ireland from 995AD to the Present Day) I illustrate one of the more common crude contemporary forgeries (52A). As far as I know this is only the fourth recorded specimen by ROBERD. There are two in the National Museum of Ireland, and one in the Ulster Museum. There may however be one in the BM."

Date: 1209-1211
Mint: Dublin - Contemporary Forgery
Type: Contemporary forgery as THIRD COINAGE
Moneyer: In the style of ROBERD

Diameter: 10mm
Weight: 0.35gm

Obverse: (Blundered)
Crowned bust - crudely made from pellets - in triangle, stars either side. Legends blundered.

Reverse: (Blundered)
Sun with pellet above within a triangle. Legends blundered.

Reference(s):
W.
S.6234
DF.52A
Scarcity: Rare

Guide Price:
£475 (Fine)
£1250 (Very Fine)

Known examples:

No example of this coin was in the Ulster Museum at the time "Anglo-Irish Coins in the Ulster Museum" was published. One example was listed as in the British Museum:

(Plate XVI, 41)

(Feb. '06) An example of a contemporary forgery was sold by Time Line Originals

(April '12) A different example was sold by CNG

Another example (legend reads RO BE RD) is in the collection of Richard Walshe (referenced and illustrated in Withers' "Irish Small Silver").

Date: 1209-1211
Mint: Dublin
Type: THIRD COINAGE
Moneyer: WILLEM

Diameter: 10mm
Weight: 0.35gm

Obverse: IOh AN RE
Crowned bust in triangle, stars either side.

Reverse: WI LLE MO
Sun with pellet above within a triangle.

Reference(s):
W.
S.6234
DF.52
Scarcity: Extremely Rare

Guide Price:
£475 (Fine)
£1250 (Very Fine)

Known examples:

No example of this coin was in the Ulster Museum at the time "Anglo-Irish Coins in the Ulster Museum" was published. One example was listed as in the National Museum of Ireland, Dublin:

(Plate XVI, 21)

Another example is in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge (referenced and illustrated in Withers' "Irish Small Silver").

Date: 1209-1211
Mint: Dublin
Type: THIRD COINAGE
Moneyer: WILLEM

Diameter: 10mm
Weight: 0.35gm

Obverse: IOh AN REX
Crowned bust in triangle, stars either side.

Reverse: WIL IEM ON·
Sun with pellet above within a triangle.

Reference(s):
W.
S.6234
DF.52
Scarcity: Extremely Rare

Guide Price:
£475 (Fine)
£1250 (Very Fine)

Known examples:

No example of this coin was in the Ulster Museum at the time "Anglo-Irish Coins in the Ulster Museum" was published.

An example sold on eBay.

Date: 1209-1211
Mint: Limerick
Type: THIRD COINAGE
Moneyer: WACE ON LIMERICK

Diameter: 10mm
Weight: 0.35gm

Obverse: IOh AN REX
Crowned bust in triangle, stars either side.

Reverse: WA CEO NLI
Sun in triangle.

Reference(s):
W.
DF.-
S.-
Scarcity: Extremely Rare

Guide Price:
£500 (Fine)
£1200 (Very Fine)

Known examples:

No example of this coin was in the Ulster Museum at the time "Anglo-Irish Coins in the Ulster Museum" was published.

Medieval Irish Hammered Farthings - John I: Irish mints