Eddie Ha'penny with wierd inscription

[Techony]

Hi Peter,

Found this Edward III halfpenny (based only on its size!) yesterday, but I can't find reference to the square on the reverse inscription. Any ideas please?

Thanks,

[The Doc]

Can't make it out from the pictures - any chance of some larger or higher res ones?

[Techony]

Thanks Peter,

Here's the full res of the inscription.

[The Doc]

Right - I think I've got it - took a bit of bookwork and Internet searching.

I believe the square is a very worn 'L'. If you look before the cross, there is another one, so the visible wording is ...L / LAR. This can only be part of VILLA RADING or VILLA RADINGY, i.e. Reading mint.

I then noticed that in the lower left quadrant of the reverse, there are not the usual three pellets but a scallop-shell, which cofirms the Reading mint and makes the ID:

Edward III halfpenny, 2nd coinage, Reading mint. Spink 1541, Withers type 3 or 4

or

Edward III halfpenny, 3rd coinage, Reading mint. Spink 1560 or 1561, Withers Type 7 or 13.

I don't think there's enough left to narrow it down further.

And shame about the state of the coin, because it's pretty scarce.

[Techony]

Absolutely amazing, fantastic Peter you are one of a kind.

Thanks m8