Dating hammered coins

How do you identify a UK hammered coin?

Most UK hammered coins feature an image of the King or Queen in power on the obverse. If it’s difficult to establish who the ruler is just by looking at the coin, comparing the image to those on other coins can help you work out the monarch in question.

Why are some coins hammered and others are not?

The reason for this is because many hammered coins are: 1 Old and worn down 2 Faded or have missing inscriptions 3 Damaged or have ‘clipped’ edges 4 Suffering from obscured text or pictures

Where did hammered coins come from?

Archaeological evidence suggests that hammered coins were produced in the UK from as early as 600AD. First used by the Anglo-Saxons, these fascinating coins span a rich period of English history – from the Vikings and Normans through to the Tudors and Stuarts. Today, most hammered coins are discovered by metal detectorists or collectors.

What is a British hammered coin?

British hammered coins were first produced in 600AD and stayed in production until 1662 when the milling process dramatically improved quality and security levels. Most coin denominations looked the same, and usually featured a profile of the ruling monarch, a coat of arms, a rose and a cross.

How can I identify a British coin?

It can be difficult to identify British coins as often no denomination is stated on the coin and the legends are usually in Latin. If you have no experience with British coins usually the diameter of the coin and the metal type are enough for identification purposes.

How were hammered coins made in the past?

History. Hammered coins were produced by placing a blank piece of metal (a planchet or flan) of the correct weight between two dies, and then striking the upper die with a hammer to produce the required image on both sides. The planchet was usually cast from a mold. The bottom die (sometimes called the anvil die) was usually counter sunk in...