Annulet either side of neck

[Mr_Stephen 0]

Hi! I'm trying to research a battered longcross that recently entered my possession. Its main identifying feature is an annulet on either side of the King's neck. Now, judging by what little is left of the inscription, it's definitely not an Edward. Do the annulets mean that it's going to be a Henry VI, for he's the only monarch I've found who has annulets. Also, I don't think it's a London mint. The mintmark is a cross.

Will post a picture tonight, infant's needs permitting!

[Rob 3,152]

Hi! I'm trying to research a battered longcross that recently entered my possession. Its main identifying feature is an annulet on either side of the King's neck. Now, judging by what little is left of the inscription, it's definitely not an Edward. Do the annulets mean that it's going to be a Henry VI, for he's the only monarch I've found who has annulets. Also, I don't think it's a London mint. The mintmark is a cross.

Will post a picture tonight, infant's needs permitting!

Probably Henry VI Annulet or Annulet-Trefoil (less likely) issue. The mint will probably be Calais if not London. There are several types of cross used for the initial mark.

[Mr_Stephen 0]

[HistoricCoinage 147]

Henry VI Annulet issue halfpenny of Calais, by the look of it. But the reverse appears to read VIL LA CALI IS which is not a usual spelling. You can compare with this one.

[Mr_Stephen 0]

I find myself agreeing about that odd inscription. I've trawled through http://www.britnumsoc.org/publications/Digital%20BNJ/pdfs/2004_BNJ_74_7.pdf and nary a mention of CALI IS which is, as you say, what it appears to be.

Any suggestions from anyone with more experience than I?

[HistoricCoinage 147]

Any suggestions from anyone with more experience than I?

Spelling mistakes do appear from time to time.

[Mr_Stephen 0]

Still quite odd to not see it notated anywhere. Wish I could work out what the final quadrant says, too. There appears to be more than just "IS" in there.

[Mr_Stephen 0]

Can't find an example of the reverse online anywhere. Most include two 'x' stops after the S, but mine does not appear to...

[Rob 3,152]

It looks to me as if the reading is VIL [ ] CAL I'xS. i.e. the abbreviation stops and the S have been interchanged. The annulets are in the right quarters though.

[Mr_Stephen 0]

I agree, Rob.

Are there any Henry VI/Calais coin experts anyone knows of who might be able to ascertain whether this odd inscription has been seen before?

[Rob 3,152]

I agree, Rob.

Are there any Henry VI/Calais coin experts anyone knows of who might be able to ascertain whether this odd inscription has been seen before?

It isn't in Withers' Small Change, which only lists 3 obverses (one for each initial cross type) and a single reverse. However, this list can never be comprehensive given the number of dies produced as variations in the legend such as additional saltires or legend errors. They have attempted to list various legend differences where known, but I am not surprised that unlisted types come up, as they frequently do.

[Mr_Stephen 0]

A bit more cleaning of the coin has shown the final quarter reads "IS_". With the "_" being unknown. As for what that is...well, it looks like a trefoil if nothing else! Will try and get a photo, but I really don't think it's a saltire, as per other versions...