Richard II Early Type IB Penny of York

Richard II Type IB Penny - York Obverse:- Crowned bust facing; cross or Lis on breast with pellets at shoulder. +(RICARDVS xx REX xx) AnGLIE xx Z x Double Saltire Stops (xx); Z reversed. Reverse:- Long Cross quartered with trefoil of pellets. Quatrefoil in centre of cross Additional tiny pellet in EBO quarter xCIVI / TAS / xE(BO / RACI) First Period Type IB = North 1329(b) Very Rare Saltire before CIVI with Pellet before EBOR not known for Type IB York Pence of Richard. I am grateful to Spinks for access to Frank Purvey's study of Richard II's Small Silver in the British Numismatic Journal No 31 1962. It is clear that the use of the additional small pellet in the EBO quarter is unquestionably indicative of true penny of Richard. Interestingly, the description of the reverse of Type IB given by Purvey describes a Pellet next to EBO but no Saltire in front of CIVI as in this example. As Purvey states the number of pennies from Richard's reign is 'pathetically small' and the condition of the coins 'is very poor' (a circumstance fully justified by this example). Nevertheless the attribution to Richard & York mintage is sound but the possibility that this is a new reverse die (Purvey only recorded one Obverse & one Reverse die for this type) is a tantalising possibility but unfortunately unproven due to the poor state of this example and its' peers. An example in better condition may resolve the issue in due course. Bought Ebay Sept 2010 - A 2nd example from the same die has subsequently been found in Lincolnshire which confirms this reverse arrangement. This example has been acquired by me on Ebay in March 11 will be posted on Ancients Info soon. This coin & the second example were subject to an article in the Numismatic Circular May 2011 - Vol CXIX No 2 Page 65/66 "A Richard II Early Type IB Penny from York".Wt 0.82gms