Although most coins from the time of their invention in Lydia in the 7th Century B.C. had been hand-struck. They were typically struck on a fairly thick flan (or planchet). However, the type of medieval hammered coin as we know it today can probably trace its origins back to the French denier introduced by Charlemagne in the 8th Century A.D.

At this point, the design and lettering on coins had become less ‘realistic’ and much more stylised. They tended to be broader, but also thinner. In Roman times, base metal coins were regularly issued to use as small change. In medieval times however, they were rarely struck, and silver coins were intended to be used even for the lowest denominations. Given this fact, the thinner flan used with medieval coins was probably intended to facilitate cutting them into halves and quarters for use as small change. This would obviously have been rather difficult to do with an ancient Roman or Greek-style silver or gold coin, but the existence of base metal sub-denominations in Ancient Rome and Greece rendered cutting them into fractions unnecessary for the most part.

In addition to silver (and very occasional base metal) issues, hammered coins were also issued in gold. They did not circulate as frequently as the silver issues, partly because silver was the monetary standard of the time, and the value of gold constantly fluctuated against silver. The gold issues were mostly used as a trade coinage, and were also frequently used in contemporary jewellery, which is one of the reasons why they often show signs of having been pierced or mounted. The English ‘Angel’ coin were particularly popular for this purpose, as they were used as talismans and touchpieces in ceremonies for people with scrofula to go and to have their coin touched by the monarch and then pressed into their infected flesh to attempt to cure what was also known as ‘the king’s evil’.
Hammered, medieval-style coinage was produced until the 17th century in most of Europe, and survived until as late as the early 19th century in some places, particularly India.

Although we are a major gold coin dealer, we do not get offered medieval gold coins as often as we would like. We are always willing to make competitive offers on any interesting older gold coins, as well as the more modern bullion issues which we deal with regularly.

Price & Availability

Description	Grade
1464-1470 Edward IV Rose Noble	VF (with small repair at the top of the flan)
1422-1461 Henry VI Quarter Noble	GVF
1504-1505 Henry VII Angel	gFine
1544-1547 Edward VI Half-Sovereign	Fine
1560-61 Second Issue Elizabeth I Half-Pound	Ask
1582-1584 Sixth Issue Elizabeth I Angel	Fine/gFine
1619-25 James I Gold Laurel	Ask
1621-23 James I Gold Laurel	Ask

*Correct in December 2011

World Hammered Gold Coins

Description	Description	Grade
1404-1417	Holland Chaise D'Or	aVF
1384-1417	Provence Ecu D'Or	Ask
1515-1547	France Ecu D'Or	Ask

Counterfeit Gold Noble, an article of interest.

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Postage & Packing
UK Registered Post (Special Delivery) £9 per order
EU Insured Post £10 per order
USA Airmail $10,
Insured Shipping $20
Canada Airmail $15,
Insured Shipping $30

For non-gold coins, please look at our original Chard Coins website.

Coins Wanted
We make an active market in almost all world coins, gold or otherwise, including Fijian gold coins. If you have any of these coins to sell, please contact us, or post them to us for appraisal and offer.