Obverse: Square facing portrait of King John, circular hair curls left and right, 2 on each side. Text around HENRICVS REX, reversed S.

Reverse: Short cross with cross pomme in each angle. Cross pomme as the initial mark. Text around SIMON ON CAN.

History: King John's reigned between 1199 and 1216. Heavy taxation, disputes with the Church and unsuccessful attempts to recover his French possessions made him unpopular. Many of his barons rebelled, and in June 1215 they forced King John to sign the Magna Carta at Runnymede, a peace treaty accepting their reforms. All pennies minted in the UK are with the name HENRICVS on the obverse.

Date: Class 5, Moneyer Simon, Mint Canterbury, 1205-16

Diameter: 1.8cm