Penny Edward I of England

Product description

The coin is a replica of an English Penny minted between 1279–1307 in commission of the English king Edward I (The Stelt). Edward the Stelt was one of the most ruthless kings in British history. He fought many battles throughout his lifetime. At a young age he was taken prisoner together with his father, King Henry II, by Simon de Montfort during the Barons' Rebellion. His father was forced to sign the Magna Carta, which strongly constrained the king's power. He defeated the rebelling barons in 1265 and his revenge was merciless. Subsequently he went on crusade in 1270 and was present at the Siege of Acre in 1271. After his coronation in 1274 he became King of England and annexed Wales in 1284. He then ordered the killing of the entire Jewish population of London and plundered the English treasury to raise sufficient funds to construct a great number of castles in order to suppress Wales. These impressive buildings may still be visited today. Following the death of English ally Alexander III, King of Scotland, Edward annexed Scotland in 1296 and was named Hammer of the Scots. Fortunately he was not immortal, and after his death Scotland regained independence in 1314. Edward was ruthless, yet amongst the greatest war kings in British history.
The obverse of this coin bears a depiction of King Edward I and carries the inscription EDWAR ANGL DNS HYB. The reverse bears the inscription CIVITAS LONDON, and the coin features a cross permitting it to be divided into quarters. The coin is crafted from leadless pewter.