Henry William Henfrey (1852–1881) was an English numismatist.

Life

Born in London on 5 July 1852, he was eldest son of Arthur Henfrey, and was educated at Brighton College. He was prevented by an accident from going on to the University of Oxford. Henfrey was encouraged in archæological and numismatic studies by Peter Cunningham, Joseph Bonomi the Younger, and Admiral William Henry Smyth. He joined the

Numismatic Society of London The Royal Numismatic Society (RNS) is a learned society and charity based in London, United Kingdom which promotes research into all branches of numismatics. Its patron was Queen Elizabeth II. Membership Foremost collectors and researchers, b ...

in 1868, and became a member of the council. He was a foreign member of the Belgian and French numismatic societies, and of several American societies. He was elected a member of the

British Archæological Association The British Archaeological Association (BAA) was founded in 1843 and aims to inspire, support and disseminate high quality research in the fields of Western archaeology, art and architecture, primarily of the mediaeval period, through lectures, con ...

in 1870. Henfrey died, after returning from a visit to Italy, on 31 July 1881 at Widmore Cottage, his mother's house at Bromley, Kent.

Works

In 1870 Henfrey published ''A Guide to the Study of English Coins'', London, (2nd edit. by Charles Francis Keary, London, 1885). His major work was ''Numismata Cromwelliana'', London, a full account of the coins, medals, and seals of The Protectorate. One of his early numismatic writings was a paper in the ''English Mechanic'' on

Queen Anne's farthings The British farthing (from Old English fēorðing, from fēorða, a fourth) abbreviated ''qua.'' (L. ''quadrans''), was a denomination of sterling coinage worth of one pound, of one shilling, or of one penny; initially minted in copper and ...

. He contributed to the Numismatic Society's proceedings 12 papers, mainly on English coins and medals, and printed in the ''Numismatic Chronicle''. He also contributed papers to the proceedings of British Archæological Association, especially on the medals of Oliver Cromwell, and on the coins of Bristol and Norwich. At the time of his death he was working on a history of English country mints.

Notes

;Attribution {{DEFAULTSORT:Henfrey, Henry William 1852 births 1881 deaths English numismatists