A resource for collectors, metal-detectorists and students
Short Cross Pennies
Mints and Moneyers
A total of twenty-one mints are named on the reverses of the short cross coins, the number operating at any one time varying between seventeen and three. The highest numbers occur during the initial recoinage of 1180 and the renovation of 1205; the lowest during the second half of the issue period. The total number of moneyers, expressed as an aggregate of the number recorded for each mint, is 186. This figure, however, should be regarded as indicative only, as some moneyers struck for more than one mint, and in some cases spelling variants and multiple occurrences of common names preclude a definitive count.
The illustrations that follow show a typical coin reverse for each of the mints that operated during the short cross period. Alongside each illustration are brief details of the mint, the various forms of mint signature used, the names of the moneyers and the classes they struck, and a transcription of the legend on the illustrated coin. Where coins are known only as obverse or reverse mules, they are included in the listings with a slash dividing the classes of the respective sides (e.g. 5a2/5b1). Where true coins of a class are known to exist, mules are not shown. All mint/moneyer/class combinations known at the time of writing are listed, but it is likely that future coin finds will reveal additional ones. The Chichester and Shrewsbury coins illustrated below, for example, were unknown before they were recorded on the UK Detector Finds Database in 2005 and 2014 respectively.
It should be noted that all coins of Rhuddlan were struck from locally made dies, and are therefore subject to separate classification. Details of this are available from the link on the Rhuddlan mint section below.
Bury St Edmunds
Although Bury had long enjoyed the privilege of a mint, its participation in the short cross coinage only began with the issue of class 5b1. This is ascribed to the fact that the town had not initially been granted an exchange when the reform of 1180 was enacted. Once this matter was resolved, however, Bury was active for the remainder of the short cross period. The mint signature on the coins is variously S•AD, S•ADM, S•ADMV, SAN, S•AND, SAN•E, SAN•ED, SANT, SANTA, SANTAD, SANTE, SANTEA, SANTED, SANTEED, SAT or S•EDM. Bury had six moneyers during the short cross period, Fvlke (5b1, 5b2 ,5c), Io(h)an (7c2, 7c3, 8a2, 8b, 8c), Norman (7a3, 7b1, 7b2), Ravf (6c1, 6c2, 6c3, 6d, 7a1, 7a2), Simvnd (7b2, 7b3, 7b4, 7c1, 7c2) and Willelm (7a2, 7a3).
The illustrated coin is of class 5b2; the inscription is + FVLKE•ON•S•AND
Canterbury
Perhaps surprisingly, as one of the country's primary mints, Canterbury did not strike any short cross coins during the reign of Henry II, but began with class 2, the first issue of Richard I. It has been suggested that the reason for the hiatus was the association of Henry with the murder of Becket, the city's archbishop, in 1170. Having commenced, however, Canterbury participated throughout the remainder of the short cross period and was one of only three mints operating during the last thirty years its issue. The mint signature on the coins is variously I, C, CA, CAI, CAN, CANI, CANT, CANTE, CANTER, CANTERB, CANTERD, CANTI, CANTR, CAT, CI or NT. Canterbury had twenty-nine moneyers during the short cross period; their names and the classes they struck are listed separately below.
The illustrated coin is of class 7b2; the inscription is + IOAN ON CANTER
Carlisle
Carlisle was opened for the recoinage of 1180, possibly with the primary aim of converting silver from the Cumberland mines. The mint began striking in class 1b1 and was in more or less continuous operation until the renovation of John's reign was complete. The last short cross type struck by Carlisle was of class 5b2. The mint signature on the coins is variously CADVL, CAR, CARD, CARDI, CARDV or CARI. Two moneyers are known for Carlisle, Alain/Alein (1b1, 1b2, 1c, 3ab2, 4a, 4b) and Tomas (5b1, 5b2).
The illustrated coin is of class 1c; the inscription is + ALAIN•ON•CARD
Chichester
Chichester was opened briefly during the short cross period to take part in the 1205 renovation, for which it struck coins of 5b1/5a2, 5b1, 5b2, 5b3 and 5c. In fact the last of these classes was unknown until the coin here illustrated was recorded on the UKDFD in 2005. The mint signature on the coins is CI, CIC, CICE or CICES. The coins of Chichester name just four moneyers, Pieres (5b1/5a2, 5b1, 5b2, 5b3), Rav(l)f (5b1/5a2, 5b1, 5b2, 5b3), Simon ((5b1/5a2, 5b1, 5b2) and Willelm (5b2, 5b3, 5c).
The illustrated coin is of class 5c; the inscription is + WILLELM•ON•CIC
Durham
During the course of the 'Tealby' coinage, as part of a more general clampdown on ecclesiastical privileges, Henry II had withdrawn the minting rights previously enjoyed by the bishops of Durham. As a consequence, the mint was unable to participate in the short cross coinage until the rights were restored during the reign of Richard I. The earliest coins struck are of class 4a, and the latest, class 7a1. The mint signature on the coins is variously DVN, DVNI, DVNO, DVNOI, DVNOL, DVR, DVRA, DVRE or DVRO. The coins of Durham name just three moneyers, Adam (4a), Alein (4a, 4b) and Pi(e)res (4b, 5a2, 5b1, 5b2, 5c, 6a2, 7a1).
The illustrated coin is of class 7a1; the inscription is + PIERES ON DVR
Exeter
Exeter was a designated exchange town in 1180, and one of six mints brought into service at the very start of the recoinage. Once the early demands of the recoinage had been fulfilled, the mint's activity was intermittent until it played a similar role again in John's renovation of 1205. The earliest short cross struck at Exeter are class 1a1, and the latest, class 5b3. The mint signature is variously EC, ECC, ECCE, EXE, EXEC, EXEH, EXECE or EXECES. The coins of Exeter name eight moneyers, Asketil (1a1, 1a5, 1b1), Gileberd (5a2, 5b1, 5b2, 5b3), Iohan (5a2, 5b1, 5b2, 5b3), Iordan (1a1, 1b1, 1b2), Osber (1a1/1a2, 1a1/1a5, 1a5, 1b1), Ravl (1b1), Ricard (1b1, 1b2, 1c, 3ab2, 5a2, 5b1, 5b2, 5b3) and Roger (1s5, 1b1, 1b2, 1c).
The illustrated coin is of class 5b2; the inscription is + RICARD•ON•ECC
Ipswich
Ipswich only participated in the short cross coinage during the period of John's renovation, striking coins of class 5b1 through to 5c. The mint signature is variously C, G, GI, GIP, GIPE or GIPES. The coins of Ipswich name just two moneyers, Alisandre (5b1, 5b2, 5b3, 5c) and Iohan (5b1, 5b2, 5b3, 5c).
The illustrated coin is of class 5b2; the inscription is + ALISANDRE•ON G
Lichfield
In 1189 Richard I granted a moneyer and a pair of dies to the bishop of Coventry for a mint in Lichfield. For a long while, the sole evidence for the actual existence of this mint resided in a single coin in the BM collection, the authenticity of which was doubted by some numismatists. Fortunately, such doubts were dispelled as a result of new finds being made, and two or three additional coins, all struck from the same pair of dies, are now known. The coins are of class 2 and the moneyer's name is Ioan.
The inscription on Lichfield coins is + IOAN•ON•LIHEFL
Lincoln
Lincoln was a designated exchange town in 1180 and participated in the recoinage. The mint struck all types from class 1b1 through to class 2, after which there was a break until it was brought back into service for the 1205 renovation. During this second period, Lincoln struck all classes from 5a2 through to 5c, but thereafter it was inactive for the remainder of the short cross period. The mint signature is NIC, NICO, NICOL or NICOLE. The coins of Lincoln name fifteen moneyers, Alain (5a2), Andrev (5a2, 5b1, 5b2, 5b3, 5c), Edmvnd (1b1, 1b2, 1c, 2), Girard (1b1), Hve (5a2/5b1, 5b2, 5b3, 5c), Hvgo (1b2), Iohan (5a2), Lefwine (1b1, 1b2, 1c, 2), Ravf (5a2/5b1, 5b1), Ricard (5a2, 5b1/5a2), Rodbert (1b1, 1b2), Tomas (5a2/5b1, 5b1), Walter (1b1), Will D F (1b1), Wille(l)m (1b1, 1b2, 1c, 2).
The illustrated coin is of class 5b3; the inscription is + ANDREV•ON•NICO
London
London, the country's principal exchange and mint, was active throughout the entire short cross period and struck coins of every class and sub-class, except 6x, which was struck solely at Canterbury. The mint signature on the coins is variously L, LND, LV, LVD, LVDI, LVDN, LVI, LVN, LVND, LVNDC, LVNDE, LVNDEI, LVNDEN or LVNI. The coins of London name forty-one moneyers during the short cross period; their names and the classes they struck are listed separately below.
The illustrated coin is of class 6b1; the inscription is + RAVLF•ON•LVNDE
Lynn
Lynn (now Kings Lynn) participated in the short cross coinage only during the period of John's renovation, striking coins of class 5b1 through to 5b3. The mint signature is variously LE, LEN, LENE, LENN or LENNE. The coins of Lynn name just three moneyers, Iohan (5b1, 5b2, 5b3), Nicole (5b1, 5b2, 5b3) and Willelm (5b1, 5b2, 5b3)
The illustrated coin is of class 5b2; the inscription is + WILLELM•ON•LE
Northampton
Northampton was a designated exchange town in 1180, and one of six mints brought into service at the very start of the recoinage. Once the early demands of the recoinage had been fulfilled, the mint's activity was intermittent until it played a similar role again in John's renovation of 1205. The earliest short cross struck at Northampton are class 1a1, and the latest, class 5c. The mint signature is variously NO, NOD, NON, NOR, NORA, NORAM, NORAMTV, NORH, NORHT, NORHTV or NORRT. The coins of Northampton name eleven moneyers, Adam (5b1, 5b2, 5b3, 5c), Filip (1a1, 1a2, 1a2/1a3, 1a5, 1b1), Giferei (4a), Hvgo (1a1/1a5, 1a2/1a?, 1a5, 4a), Raul (1a1/1a2, 1a2, 1a2/1a3, 1a4, 1a5, 1b1, 1b2, 1c), Reinald (1a2, 1a4, 1a5, 1b, 11c), Roberd (3ab2, 5b1, 5b2, 5b3, 5c), Roberd T (5b2), Simvn(d) (1b1), Walter/Waltir (1a1, 1a2, 1a5, 1b1, 1b2, 1c, 3ab1, 3ab2) and Willelm (1a1, 1a4/1a3, 1a5, 1b1). A further two moneyers may either be of this mint or Norwich (see below).
The illustrated coin is of class 5b2; the inscription is + WALTER•ON•NOR
Norwich
The mint at Norwich didn't participate in the 1180 recoinage, but struck coins of class 5a2 through to class 5c for John's renovation of 1205. Certain coins of class 4a to 4c belong either to this mint or Northampton, but their attribution is uncertain because the mint signatures could refer to either town. The signatures that are attributable with certainty to Norwich are NORW, NORWI, NORWIC, NORY; the ones that are sometimes uncertain are N, NI, NO, NOI and NOR. The attributable coins of Norwich name three moneyers, Gieferei/Giefrei/Gifrei (5a2/5b1, 5b1, 5b2, 5b3), Iohan (5a2, 5b1, 5b2, 5b3, 5c) and Renald/Renavd (5a2, 5b1, 5b2, 5b3, 5c). A further two moneyers, Randvl (4a, 4b, 4c) and Willelm (4a, 4b), may have struck either for this mint or for Northampton.
The illustrated coin is of class 5b1; the inscription is + RENAVD•ON•NOR
Oxford
Oxford was a designated exchange town in 1180 and commenced striking short cross coins in class 1b1 for the recoinage. The mint continued striking through class 1b2 and class 1c, after which there was a break until it was brought back into service for the 1205 renovation. During this second period, Oxford struck classes 5b1, 5b2 and 5b3, but thereafter the mint was inactive for the remainder of the short cross period. The mint sgnature is OC, OCS, OCSE, OCSEN, OXE, OXEN or OXENE. The coins of Oxford name ten moneyers, Ailwine (5b1, 5b2, 5b3), Asketil (1b1), Henri (5b1, 5b2), Iefrei(1b1), Miles (5b1, 5b2, 5b3), Owein (1b1, 1b2, 1c), Ricard (1b1, 1b2, 1c), Rodbert (1b1), Rodbt F B (1b1) and Sagar (1b1).
The illustrated coin is of class 5b1; the inscription is + HENRI•ON•OCSE
Rhuddlan
The circumstances under which the short cross coins of this Welsh mint were issued are unclear. They were all struck from locally made dies and cannot be classified according to the criteria applied to the main series. They were, however, produced over a significant period of time (c.1190-c.1215), and are classified as a series in their own right (see link below). The mint signature is RVLA or RVLAN. The moneyers' names are Halli (i, iia), Henricvs (v), Simo(n)(d) (iie, iiia, iiib, iiic, iv) and Tomas (iib, iic, iid).
The illustrated coin is of Rhuddlan class iic; the inscription is + TOMAS•ON•RVLA
Rochester
The mint at Rochester operated only during John's renovation of 1205, and struck coins of classes 5b1 and 5b2, the earlier class known only as an obverse mule. The mint signature is R, RO, ROV or ROVE. The coins of Rochester name two moneyers: Alisandre (5b2) and Hunfrei (5b1/5b2, 5b2).
The illustrated coin is of class 5b2; the inscription is + ALISAN•ON•RO
Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury struck coins of classes 4a, 4b and 4c/4b only. In fact the last of these classes was unknown until the coin here illustrated was recorded on the UKDFD in 2014. It has been suggested that the mint was opened to coin silver produced by the nearby Carreghofa mines. The mint signature is S, SALO, SALOP or SALOPE. The coins name three moneyers, Ive (4a, 4b, 4c/4b), Reinald/Reinavd (4a, 4b) and Willem (4a).
The illustrated coin is a class 4c/4b mule; the inscription is + IVE•ON•SALOP
Wilton
Wilton was one of six mints brought into service at the start of the 1180 recoinage, but it was probably only opened on an emergency basis, when the nearby mint at Winchester was destroyed by fire. It did, however, continue to operate through the recoinage period, striking from class 1a1 through to class 1b2. The mint signature is WIL, WILT or WILTV. The coins of Wilton name two moneyers: Osber (1a2, 1a4, 1a5, 1b1, 1b2) and Rodbert (1a1, 1a2, 1a4, 1a5, 1b1, 1b2).
The illustrated coin is of class 1a5; the inscription is + OSBER•ON•WILT
Winchester
Winchester was a designated exchange town in 1180, and one of the six mints brought into service at the very start of the recoinage. Once the early demands of the recoinage had been fulfilled, the mint's activity declined to a low level until it played a similar role again in John's renovation of 1205. The earliest short cross struck at Winchester are class 1a1, and the latest, class 6c3. The mint signature is variously W, WI, WIN, WINC, WINCE, WN, WNCE or WNIC. The coins of Winchester name sixteen moneyers, Adam (1a2, 1a4, 1a5, 1b1, 1b2, 1c, 3ab1, 3ab2, 5a2, 5b1, 5b2, 5b3, 5c), Andrev (5b1, 5b2, 5b3, 5c), Bartelme (5b2, 5b3, 5c), Clement (1a1, 1a2, 1a5, 1b1), Gocelm (1a1, 1a5/1a3, 1a4, 1a5, 1b1, 1b2, 1c, 3ab2), Henri (1a1/1a2, 5a2, 6c3), Iohan (5a2, 5b1, 5b2, 5b3, 5c), Lvkas (5b1, 5b2, 5b3, 5c), Miles (5a2, 5b1, 5b2, 5c), Osber(n) (1a3, 1a4, 1a5, 1b1, 3ab2, 4a), Pires (4a), Ravf (5b2, 5b3, 5c), Reinier (1a5, 1b1), Ricard (5a2, 5b1, 5b2), Rodbert (1a1,1a2, 1a4,1a5,1b1) and Willelm (3ab2, 4a, 4a*).
The illustrated coin is of class 1b1; the inscription is + GOCELM•ON•WINC
Worcester
Worcester was a designated exchange town in 1180, but the mint opened a little later than those of the other exchange towns. It began striking in class 1b1 and continued through to class 2, after which it ceased operation for the remainder of the short cross period. The mint signature is variously WIR, WIRE, WIRI, WIRIC or WIRICI. The coins of Worcester name four moneyers: Edrich (1b1), Godwine (1b1,1b2,1c), Osber(n) (1b1,1b2,1c,2) and Oslac (1b1).
The illustrated coin is of class 1b1; the inscription is + GODWINE•ON•WIR
York
York was a designated exchange town in 1180, and one of six mints brought into service at the very start of the recoinage. It remained in operation after the recoinage and participated in John's renovation of 1205. After class 5c, its output was minimal, but coins of class 6c3 are known. The mint signature is variously I, E, EI, EV, EVE, EVEI, EVEIW, EVER, EVERI, EVERV, EVERVI, EVERW, EVERWI, EVERWIC, EVERY, EVI, EVR, EVRY, EWE, EWERW or NEVER. The coins of York name 15 moneyers, Alain (1a2, 1a4, 1a5, 1b1), Davi (4a, 4b, 4c, 5a2, 5b1, 5b2), Everard/Efrard (1a1, 1a4/1a3, 1a5, 1b1, 1b2, 1c, 2, 3ab1, 3ab2, 4a, 4a*), Gerard (1a4, 1a5, 1b1), Hvgo/Hve (1a4/1a3, 1a5, 1b1, 1b2, 1c, 2, 3ab1, 3ab2, 4a, 4a*), Hvnfrei (1a2, 1a4/1a3, 1a5, 1b1), Iohan (6c3), Isac (1a1, 1a5, 1b1), Nicole (4a, 4b, 4c, 5a2, 5b1, 5b2, 5c), Peres (6c3), Renavd (5b1, 5b2), Tomas (5a2/5b1, 5b1, 5b2, 6c3), Tvrkil (1a1, 1a4, 1a5, 1b1, 1b2, 1c, 2, 3ab1, 3ab2, 4a, 4a*), Wilam (6c3) and Willelm (1a1, 1a4/1a3, 1b1).
The illustrated coin is of class 1a1; the inscription is + WILLELM ON EVER
Canterbury Moneyers
Arnavd/Hernavd: 4b, 4c, 5a1/5a2, 5a2, 5b1, 5b2, 5b3, 5c
Arnold: 6c1/6x, 6x
Coldwine/Goldwine: 3ab1, 3ab2, 4a, 4a*, 4b, 4c, 5a1, 5a2, 5b1, 5b2, 5b3, 5c
Henri: 6b2, 6c1, 6c2, 6c3, 6d, 7a1, 7a2, 7a3, 7b1, 7b2, 7b3, 7b4, 7c1, 7c2
Hivn/Ivn: 6b2, 6c1, 6c2, 6c3, 6d, 6x, 7a1, 7a2, 7a3, 7b1
Hve: 4b, 4c, 5a1/5a2, 5a2, 5b1, 5b2, 5b3, 5c
Ioan Chic: 7b1, 7b2, 7b3, 7b4, 7c1, 7c2, 7c3
Ioan F R: 7b3, 7b4, 7c1, 7c2
Io(h)an (1): 4b, 4c, 5a1, 5a2, 5b1, 5b2, 5b3, 5c, 6b2, 6c1, 6c2, 6c3, 6d, 6x, 7a1, 7a2, 7a3, 7b1, 7b2, 7b3, 7b4, 7c1
Iohan (2): 8b, 8c
Iohan B: 5b2, 5b3, 5c
Iohan M: 5b2, 5b3, 5c
Ivn (see Hivn)
Meinir: 2, 3ab1, 3ab2, 4a. 4a*, 4b,
Nichole: 7c1, 7c2, 7c3, 8b, 8c
Osmvnd: 7b1, 7b2, 7b3, 7b4, 7c1, 7c2
Reinald/Reinavd: 2, 3ab1, 3ab2, 4a, 4a*, 4b,
Roberd: 2, 3ab1, 3ab2, 4a, 4a*, 4b, 4c, 5a1, 5a2, 5b1, 5b2, 5b3, 5c
Robert: 6b2, 7b4, 7c1
Robert Vi: 7c1
Roger: 6b2, 6c1, 6c2, 6c3, 6d, 6x, 7a1, 7a2, 7a3, 7b1, 7b2, 7b3, 7b4
Roger of R: 7a1, 7a2, 7a3, 7b1, 7b2, 7b3
Salemvn: 6c1/6x, 6x, 7a3, 7b1
Samvel: 4b, 4c, 5a1, 5a2, 5b1, 5b2, 5b3, 5c, 6b2, 6c1, 6c2, 6c3, 7a1, 7a2, 7a3
Simon: 4b, 4c, 5a1, 5a2, 5b1, 5b2, 5b3, 5c, 6b2, 6c1, 6c2, 6c3, 7a1, 7a2, 7a3, 7b1, 7b2
Tomas: 6d, 7a1, 7a2, 7a3, 7b1, 7b2, 7b3, 7b4
Vlard: 2, 3ab1, 3ab2, 4a, 4a*, 4b
Walter: 6b2, 6c1, 6c2, 6c3, 6d, 6x, 7a1, 7a2
Wille(l)m: 7b2, 7b3, 7b4, 7c1, 7c2, 7c3, 8b, 8c
Willem Ta: 7b2, 7b3, 7b4, 7c1
London Moneyers
Abel: 5c, 6a1, 6a2, 6b1, 6b2, 6c1, 6c2, 6c3, 6d, 7a1, 7a2, 7a3
Adam: 5b1, 5b2, 5b3, 5c, 7b2, 7b3, 7b4, 7c1, 7c2
Aimer: 1a1, 1a2, 1a3, 1a4, 1a5, 1b1, 2, 3ab1, 3ab2, 4a
Alain/Alein: 1a1, 1a4, 1a5, 1b1
Alain V/Alein V: 1a1/1a2, 1a5, 1b1
Alward: 1b1
Beneit: 5b1, 5b2, 5b3, 5c
Davi: 1b1, 1b2, 1c
Elis/Helis: 7a3, 7b1
Fil Aimer: 1a3, 1a4, 1a5
Fvlke: 4a, 4b, 4c, 5a1, 5a2, 5b1, 5b2
Gefrei: 1c
Giffrei: 7b3, 7b4, 7c1, 7c2
Gilebert: 1c
Godard: 1b1
Helis (see Elis)
Henri (1): 1a1/1a2, 1a2, 1a4/1a3, 1a4, 1a5, 1b1
Henri (2)/Henrik: 4a, 4b, 4c, 5a1, 5a2, 5b1/5a2
Henri Pi: 1a3/1a2, 1a4
Iefrei: 1a1/1a2, 1a2, 1a4, 1a5, 1b1
Ilger: 5b1, 5b2, 5b3, 5c, 6a1, 6a2, 6b1, 6b2, 6c1, 6c2, 6c3, 6d, 7a1, 7a2, 7a3, 7b1, 7b2
Iohan: 1a1, 1a2, 1a5, 1b1, 1b2, (5b1?)
Ledvlf: 7b2, 7b3, 7b4, 7c1
Nichole: 7c1, 7c2, 7c3, 8a1, 8a2, 8b, 8c
Osber: 1b1, 1b2
Pieres: 1a1, 1a2, 1a5, 1b1, 1b2, 1c
Pieres M: 1a1/1a2, 1a5, 1b1, 1b2
Randvl: 1a1, 1a2, 1a4, 1a5, 1b1,
Ravf/Ravlf: 5c, 6a1, 6a2, 6b1, 6b2, 6c1, 6c2, 6c3, 6d, 7a1, 7a2, 7a3, 7b1, 7b2
Ravl: 1b1, 1b2, 1c, 2
Reinald: 1a2, 1a2/1a3, 1a5, 1b1
Rener: 5a2/5b1, 5b1, 5b2, 5b3, 5c
Ricard: 2, 3ab1, 3ab2, 4a, 4a*, 4b, 4c, 5a1, 5a2, 5b1, 5b2, 7b2, 7b3, 7b4
Ricard B: 5b1, 5b2, 5b3, 5c
Ricard T: 5a2/5b1, 5b1, 5b2
Stivene/Stievene: 2, 3ab1, 3ab2, 4a, 4a*, 4b
Terri: 7a3, 7b1, 7b2, 7b3
Walter: 5c, 6a1, 6a2, 6b1, 6b2, 6c1
Willelm/Willem: 1a1, 1a2, 1a2/1a3, 1a4, 1a5, 1b1, 2, 3ab1, 3ab2, 4a, 4a*, 4b, 4c, 5a1, 5a2, 5b1, 5b2, 5b3
Willelm B: 5a2/5b1, 5b1, 5b2, 5b3, 5c
Willelm L: 5b1, 5b2, 5b3, 5c
Willelm T: 5b1, 5b2, 5b3, 5c