Essex Coin Auctions sold a 14th‑century Edward III gold leopard coin at a London auction on September 30, 2026, for a hammer price of £70,000, a figure that includes a 22 % buyer’s premium.
The coin, minted in 1344, circulated for only seven months before the crown abandoned it in favour of the gold noble.
The British Museum’s records explain that the leopard series was overvalued, making it impractical for merchants and leading to its quick demonetisation on 20 August 1344.
Numismatic Guaranty Company notes that only a handful of these gold leopards survived the transition, which explains why the 2026 sale attracted intense bidding from both online and telephone participants.
The auction house confirmed that the high price will spur further interest in medieval coinage, potentially raising future auction values for other rare Edward III issues.