Medieval Hammered Farthings

John de Courcy, Lord of Ulster - Anglo-Irish Hammered Farthings

John de Courcy, Lord of Ulster (1199-1216)

John de Courcy was a leading figure in the Norman conquest of Ireland, establishing an independent lordship in Ulster after invading the region in 1177 and capturing Downpatrick. Over the next twenty-seven years, he consolidated control of Ulaid (aprroximately the modern Irish counties of Down and Antrim). Although he styled himself "Lord of Ulster," there is no evidence that this title was formally granted by King Henry II.

De Courcy's silver pennies and farthings are important sources for understanding both his rule and the economy of Norman Ulster. Scholars generally regard the farthings as a local currency that reflects the prosperity of the developing colony, while their issue also demonstrates the exceptional authority de Courcy exercised, challenging royal prerogatives over coinage. His refusal to submit to King John led to his capture by Hugh de Lacy and the end of his lordship, but his political and economic legacy continued to shape medieval Ulster.

De Courcy endowed several churches, abbeys and monesteries, and promoted the cult of St Patrick. This is reflected in his coinage, that when not struck with is name, has St Patrick's name and the name of one of two mints:

   Downpatrick (Anonymous Coinage)
   Downpatrick (St Patrick Coinage)

   Carrickfergus (Anonymous Coinage)

Martin Allen has asserted that the John de Courcy farthings are actually halfpennies, accompanyed by a die study,1, and this is reflected in recent editions of 'Coins of Scotland, Ireland and the Isles' 2.

Struck between c.1185 and c.1205, there are over 90 known examples, generally poorly struck.

Historical Context

John de Courcy remains one of the most significant figures of the Norman conquest of Ireland, establishing an independent lordship in Ulster that lasted for approximately twenty-seven years. In 1177, he led a private expedition into eastern Ulster, capturing Downpatrick and defeating the King of Ulaid (Ulidia). Within five years he had subdued the kingdom of Ulaid, encompassing much of present-day Counties Down and Antrim, and ruled the territory as an autonomous prince. Although he assumed the title "Lord of Ulster," there is no contemporary evidence that this dignity was formally granted by King Henry II, highlighting the exceptional degree of independence with which he exercised power.
Under de Courcy's rule, Ulster underwent profound political and economic transformation. Norman settlement brought the establishment of new boroughs, the expansion of agricultural production, and the development of commercial networks that integrated the region more closely with the Anglo-Norman world. His marriage to Affreca, daughter of Godred Olafsson, King of Man and the Isles, further reinforced his strategic position within the Irish Sea political sphere.
One of the most important surviving sources for understanding de Courcy's administration is his coinage. The silver pennies and silver farthings have attracted considerable scholarly attention because they illuminate both the authority he exercised and the character of Ulster's emerging economy. Historians have generally interpreted the farthings as a local monetary issue intended to facilitate everyday transactions within the developing colony rather than to circulate throughout the wider Angevin realm. Their limited circulation suggests that they were produced in response to the practical needs of a growing regional economy, providing tangible evidence for the commercial vitality of Norman Ulster. At the same time, the striking of silver coinage represented an assertion of rights traditionally reserved to the English Crown. Although the farthings themselves may have constituted only a minor infringement of royal prerogative, scholars have argued that, in the broader political context of King John's deteriorating relationship with de Courcy, such actions contributed to the perception that he was exercising sovereign authority beyond what the Crown was prepared to tolerate.
De Courcy's refusal to acknowledge King John as his overlord ultimately brought his independent rule to an end. Declared an outlaw, he was defeated and captured by Hugh de Lacy in 1205, who was subsequently granted the Earldom of Ulster. Despite his downfall, de Courcy's legacy endured. His conquest reshaped the political landscape of eastern Ulster, while the towns, institutions, and coinage associated with his lordship continue to provide valuable evidence for the establishment of Norman power and the economic development of medieval Ireland.

Coin Characteristics - Cross Potent with Crescents Coinage

  • Metal: Silver
  • Denomination: Farthing (¼ penny)
  • Mint(s): Downpatrick
  • Obverse: Processional cross consisting of cross pattée with knop and shaft below; +PATRICII
  • Reverse: Cross potent with crescent in each angle; +DE DVNO
  • Coin diameter: 10-11mm
  • Weight: 0.32g

Coin Examples - Cross Potent with Crescents Coinage ↩

John de Courcy Cross Potent with Crescents Coinage Farthing - Obverse 1 John de Courcy Cross Potent with Crescents Coinage Farthing - Reverse 1
John de Courcy Cross Potent with Crescents Coinage Farthing

Year(s): c.1185-c.1205
Mint: Downpatrick

Obverse: Processional cross consisting of cross pattée with knop and shaft below; +PATRICII

Reverse: Cross potent with crescent in each angle; +DE DVNO

Reference(s): Spink 6227, DF 47

Scarcity: Very rare

Guide Price: £1100 (Fine) £3000 (Very Fine)

Coin Characteristics - Cross Potent Voided Patrick coinage, John de Courcy reverse

  • Metal: Silver
  • Denomination: Farthing (¼ penny)
  • Mint(s): No mint name, probably Downpatrick
  • Obverse: Cross pattée; +PACRICI
  • Reverse: Cross potent voided; +[ ]A[ ]HVCI or +[ ]AND.CV[R?][ ]
  • Coin diameter: 10-11mm
  • Weight: 0.32g

Coin Examples - Cross Potent Voided Patrick coinage, John de Courcy reverse ↩

Cross Potent Voided Patrick Coinage, John de Courcy Reverse, Farthing - Obverse 2 Cross Potent Voided Patrick Coinage, John de Courcy reverse, Farthing - Reverse 2
John de Courcy, Cross Potent Voided Patrick Coinage, John de Courcy reverse, Farthing

Year(s): c.1185-c.1205
Mint: probably Downpatrick

Obverse: Cross pattée; +PACRICI

Reverse: Cross potent voided; +[ ]A[ ]HVCI or +[ ]AND.CV[R?][ ]

Reference(s): Spink 6224, DF 49

Scarcity: Very rare

Guide Price: £2250 (Fine) £6500 (Very Fine)

Coin Characteristics - Cross Potent Voided Patrick Coinage, Carrickfergus reverse

  • Metal: Silver
  • Denomination: Farthing (¼ penny)
  • Mint(s): Carrickfergus
  • Obverse: Processional cross consisting of cross pattée with knop and shaft below; +PATRICI(I)
  • Reverse: Cross potent voided; +CRACFEVF(.) or +CRACF(‘)
  • Coin diameter: 10-11mm
  • Weight: 0.32g

Coin Examples - Cross Potent Voided Patrick Coinage, Carrickfergus reverse↩

John de Courcy Cross Potent Voided Patrick Coinage, Carrickfergus Reverse, Farthing - Obverse 1 John de Courcy Cross Potent Voided Patrick Coinage, Carrickfergus Reverse, Farthing - Reverse 1
John de Courcy Cross Potent Voided Patrick Coinage, Carrickfergus Reverse, Farthing

Year(s): c.1185-c.1205
Mint: Carrickfergus

Obverse: Processional cross consisting of cross pattée with knop and shaft below; +PATRICI(I)

Reverse: Cross potent voided; +CRACFEVF(.) or +CRACF(‘)

Reference(s): Spink 6225, DF 48

Scarcity: Very rare

Guide Price: £1100 (Fine) £3000 (Very Fine)

Coin Characteristics - Cross Pommée Voided Patrick coinage

  • Metal: Silver
  • Denomination: Farthing (¼ penny)
  • Mint(s): Carrickfergus
  • Obverse: Cross pattée; +PACRICI
  • Reverse: Cross potent voided; +[ ]A[ ]HVCI or +[ ]AND.CV[R?][ ]
  • Coin diameter: 10-11mm
  • Weight: 0.32g

Coin Examples - Cross Pommée Voided Patrick Coinage ↩

John de Courcy Cross Pommée Voided Patrick Coinage Farthing - Obverse 2 John de Courcy Cross Pommée Voided Patrick Coinage Farthing - Reverse 2
Cross Pommée Voided Patrick Coinage Farthing

Year(s): c.1185-c.1205
Mint: Carrickfergus

Obverse: Processional cross consisting of cross pattée with knop and shaft below; +PATRICII or variant.

Reverse: Cross pommée voided; +CRACF(: or ‘)

Reference(s): Spink 6226, DF 48

Scarcity: Very rare

Guide Price: £1200 (Fine) £3250 (Very Fine)


Footnotes

  1. Martin Allen, 'John de Courcy and the Early Anglo-Irish Coinage', BNJ 88 (2018), 41-54, pls. 1-2 ↩
  2. Emma Howard, ed., Coins of Scotland, Ireland and the Islands: Jersey, Guernsey, Man & Lundy, Including Anglo-Gallic Coins, 4th ed. (London: Spink & Son, 2020), 137. ↩

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