Scotland, William I (The Lion) Penny, retrograde legend – Rare type – SVRELIRNEh

Scotland, William the Lion (1165-1218), silver Penny, posthumous issue under Alexander II, no mint name, Moneyer Henry Le Rus, with retrograde legend on reverse, short cross and stars coinage (1195-1214), phase B (c.1205-30),

obv. crowned head with sceptre left, legend and beaded border surrounding, +LE REI WILA,

rev. short voided cross pattee, four six-pointed stars in angles, retrograde legend and beaded borders surrounding, SVRELIRNEh

William was called the “Lion” as he was the one who replaced the dragon on the arms of Scotland with the rampant lion. He was captured by the English in July 1174 and was forced to do homage to Scotland under the Treaty of Falaise in December of that year. He handed over the castles of Edinburgh, Berwick and Roxburgh, but the castle of Edinburgh was restored as part of the dowry of Ermengarde de Beaumont, cousin of Henry II, whom William married in 1186. Richard the Lion-heart sold back the independence of Scotland on 5^th December 1189 to William for 10,000 Merks which amounted to 1,600,000 silver Pence to help finance the Crusades. Much of the payment will have been made in coinage of silver pennies, though this piece post-dates that period.

1.43g

S5031 (Var)

Bold Very Fine – Good Very Fine and Rare