Coins of the Realm

Denomination Dates Issued Value Material
Florin (Double Leopard) 1344 - 1351 6 Shillings (72 pence) Gold
Half Florin (Leopard) 1344 - 1351 3 Shillings (36 pence) Gold
Quarter Florin (Helm) 1344 - 1351 1 Shilling, 6 pence (18 pence) Gold
Noble 1344 - 1464 6 shillings, 8 pence (80 pence or 1/3 pound) Gold
Half Noble 1346 - 1438 3 shillings, 4 pence (40 pence) Gold
Quarter Noble 1344 - 1464 1 shillings, 8 pence (20 pence) Gold
Angel 1464 - James I 6 shillings, 8 pence (80 pence) Gold
Half Angel 1464 - James I 3 shillings, 4 pence (40 pence) Gold
Ryal (Rose Noble) 1465 - 1470, Also briefly revived by Henry VII, Henry VIII 10 shillings (120 pence or 1/2 pound) Gold
Half Ryal 1465 - 1470 5 shillings (60 pence) Gold
Quarter Ryal 1465 - 1470 2 shillings, 6 pence (30 pence) Gold
Groat 1279 onwards 4 pence Silver
Half Groat 1351 onwards 2 pence Silver
Penny From Anglo-Saxon times   Silver
Halfpenny 1279 onwards* 1/2 pence Silver
Farthing 1279 onwards* 1/4 pence Silver

* Earlier Halfpenny and Farthing coins exist, but before this period, pennies would be frequently cut into pieces to make change. Also a gold penny existed briefly, but was not widely available.

Remember 1 shilling=12 pence

1 pound=20 shillings=240 pence

The "Mark" was not a coin, but a set value of 2/3 of a pound. It was often used in commercial transactions and for valuing income from property . The Noble and later the Angel (with their fractions) were obviously introduced to be used for these types of transactions.

1 Mark=13 shillings and 4 pence=160 pence


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Background:Obverse of Edward III Groat and Reverse of Edward I Penny