groat

English coin

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Last updated

June 29, 2026

Quick Summary

A groat was an old British coin valued at four pennies. The introduction of the groat in 1351 occurred on Flemish models, coinciding with a reduction in the silver penny's weight. While early Anglo-Saxon coinage began with gold "thirds" and silver sceats, the English coinage proper started with the silver penny of Offa, king of Mercia, around 790 AD. The groat was eventually discontinued by Elizabeth I.1234

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coin
Post-Conquest coinage
He also introduced a groat, or fourpenny piece, but this larger coin did not establish itself until Edward III’s reign. The coins of Edward I, II, and III can be distinguished only by a minute study of detail. Privileged ecclesiastical mints still continued active.
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He also introduced a groat, or fourpenny piece, but this larger coin did not establish itself until Edward III’s reign. The coins of Edward I, II, and III can be distinguished only by a minute study of detail. Privileged ecclesiastical mints still continued active.
Read More