British Coins and Tokens

Edward the Confessor (1042-1066), Penny, Facing Bust type, Taunton, Beorhtric, brihtric on tant, 0.83g/3h (Abergavenny 119, same dies; Freeman –; BMC –; N 830; S 1183). Edge chip and perforated along outer-circle, otherwise better than very fine with a tall, handsome bust; the mint signature clear and until recently unrecorded in this type, excessively rare thus £800-£1,000

found near Marton (Warwickshire) in 2023 (EMC 2023.0281)

Despite its comprehensive nature Anthony Freeman’s survey The Moneyer and the Mint in the reign of Edward the Confessor made no record of the Taunton mint being active during the Facing Bust issue. The first known example of this type/mint combination was discovered in 2002 as part of the Abergavenny Area hoard. Following excavation the hoard was the subject of an inquest and was subsequently acquired, in its entirety, by the National Museum of Wales. Edward Besly published the hoard in the BNJ 2016, commenting that ‘In the case of Taunton, the Abergavenny hoard has added significantly to the total number of recorded specimens of Edward’s coinage, increasing this from 19 to 24 and providing the first record of the mint’s activity during the Bust Facing issue.’

The current coin appears to be only the second known example, and the only one available to commerce.