Scope and first record
England-first. Europe-aware.
Medieval coins travelled. A coin found in England or the Netherlands may have been made elsewhere. The chart builds a possible family; it does not certify an origin or value.
- 01JurisdictionCountry and legal route
- 02Both facesStraight, sharp photographs
- 03EdgePlain, reeded, lettered, cut
- 04DiameterWidest point in millimetres
- 05WeightGrams, without scraping
- 06LettersCopy only what is visible
- 07ContextDepth and private location
The visual decision tree
Six clues before a ruler’s name.
- 01Whole, clipped, cut, or reused?Read the surviving edge before calling it damage
WholeUneven flan can be normal ClippedOuter design trimmed Cut halfStraight deliberate cut Cut quarterTwo straight cut edges Pierced / mountedPossible reuse as jewelry Broken fragmentKeep every surviving clue Possible matchMedieval silver pennies were deliberately cut into halves and quarters to make change. A straight cut can be part of the coin’s working life.
Confirm it with the other face, letters, size, weight, and an official database. - 02Record the visible materialNever scratch to test it
Silver-colouredCommon penny route Gold-colouredStop and protect the surface Copper alloyCoin, token, or jetton route Mixed / platedBurial or coating may mislead ?UnsureKeep all families open - 03Follow the reverse crossDoes it stop inside the legend or reach the rim?
Cross stops shortPossible Short Cross family Cross reaches rimLong Cross or later design Pellets in quartersCount every visible pellet Shield / ship / saintTry another family or country Possible matchHenry II introduced England’s Short Cross penny in 1180. Henry III introduced the first Long Cross issue in 1247. Later pennies also used long crosses, so the cross alone cannot name the ruler.
Confirm it with the other face, letters, size, weight, and an official database. - 04Describe the portrait sideTiny differences help only when other clues agree
- Facing or side-facing bust
- Crown shape and points
- Sceptre or no sceptre
- Pellets beside the face
- Beard, hair curls, and borders
- Bust inside a triangle or circle
Wear can change a face. Use the portrait with the legend and reverse, never by itself.
- 05Copy the legend in piecesMedieval letters and spelling vary
Record the first cross or symbol, ruler-name letters, title fragments such as REX, and reverse mint or moneyer fragments.
hENRIC[—] / CIVI TAS LON DONBrackets keep the unreadable gap honest. - 06Measure every surviving partIncomplete coins still carry useful evidence
↔DiameterWidest surviving point gWeightTo two decimals if possible ↕ThicknessOnly if safe to measure □Scale photoBoth faces and every cut edge
England-focused timeline
Use the band to choose a reference shelf.
Often called sceattas; many non-portrait and regional designs.
Portrait pennies before the Short Cross reform.
Cross arms usually stop within the reverse legend.
The longer cross helped discourage clipping and divide the coin.
Later long-cross pennies need portrait, legend, and class details.
Pennies, halfpennies, groats, and gold denominations broaden the chart.
Lookalike panel
Coin, counter, fraction, or reused object?
Country action panel
A worn penny can still carry history.
Even when a single coin is not legally Treasure, its measured details and private location can add to the archaeological record.
England
Ask a Finds Liaison Officer.
Report suspected Treasure within 14 days. Important non-Treasure finds can still be recorded through PAS.
Open the England reporting routeNetherlands
Record it with RCE or PAN.
Report archaeological detector finds. If several objects appear together, stop and contact the municipality.
Open the Netherlands reporting routeAnother country
Start the legal route again.
Do not copy English or Dutch rules across a border. Keep the find and coordinates secure and contact the relevant national or regional heritage authority.
Return to the Europe guide