Henry, Earl of Northumbria under Stephen, AR Penny, 
mint, moneyer Willelm. Ca 1138-1152 AD. 1.57 gr.

Obv: +NEN[C]I:CO[N], crowned bust right, holding sceptre. 
Rev: +:WIL[E]NL:ON:CARD (RD ligate), cross fleury.

As struck, full flan, attractive surfaces and tone, 
extremely rare; perhaps the finest known example (EMC 
records three other examples of this mint/moneyer issue, 
including a cut halfpenny).

S. 1311; N. 913; EMC 2011.0165 and PAS LANCUM-C7BD67 (this coin); 
cf also S. 5011 (Scotland).

Found near Eden, Cumbria, UK, 2011; recorded with EMC and PAS.

Henry, the son of David I of Scotland, was made Earl of 
Northumberland by Stephen. His son Malcolm became King 
of Scotland (as Malcolm IV, 1153-1165). The earldom had 
mints at Carlisle, Corbridge and, possibly, at Bamborough, 
with moneyers Herebeald, Ricard and Willelm. Pennies were 
struck in Henry's name with legends reading HENRICVS COM or 
NENCI COM (for Henry, Count). These coins are sometimes 
considered to be issues of both England and Scotland (and are 
often catalogued under both countries). The basic type is 
generally similar to the Period C coins of David (but 
without pellets in the reverse angles) and, as with almost 
all coins of the period, examples are usually seen to be 
poorly struck; often with flat areas and poor legends.

Courtesy of TimeLine Auctions (www.timelineauctions.com), October, 2012