John (as Lord, 1172-1199), Second coinage, Farthing, Dublin, Alex (?), mascle with trefoil of pellets at angles, rev. alex in arms of cross, 0.27g/12h (S 6220; DF 38). Very fine, excessively rare £1,200-1,500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Irish Coins formed by the Late Adolf Ganter.

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Provenance: H. Hird Collection, Glendining Auction, 6 March 1974, lot 172.

The reverse reading is not clear, it could be alex or a blundered version of walt. C.J. Denton notes “If Walt, then not in the Ulster Museum or National Museum of Ireland; if Alex, known only from a reference in Lindsay”. He also notes opinions given by the British Museum – “not walt” and the NMI – “much nearer to Alex but inconclusive”