English Coinage of the Tudors

[Deeman]

Henry VIII third coinage quarter-angel

The quarter-angel had a value of 2/-, at a weight of 20 grains, 0.0417oz troy at 0.958 fine (23ct), with a diameter of 16mm. It was officially introduced as a denomination on 20 May 1544 which marked the start of the third period of coinage when debasement took full swing. Minting of it ceased by the end of Mar 1545.

The obverse of the angel depicts archangel St. Michael, haloed and winged, standing with both feet on the dragon and piercing it through the mouth with a spear, within a circumscription which translates to 'Henry VIII, by the Grace of God, England.' The reverse design is an English galley with two ropes to the mast from the stern, one from the prow and with 'h' and a rose set below the main topmast, the ship surmounted by square-topped shield bearing the King's arms, all within a circumscription, which is a continuation of the obverse inscription, translating to 'France and Ireland, king'. The letters 'ЄT', Latin for 'and', are used.




1544-45 quarter-angel, London, lis initial mark both sides.
Obverse inscription is hЄNRICVS VIII DI' GRA' AGLIЄ saltire stops.
Reverse inscription is FRANCIЄ ЄT hIBЄRNIЄ RЄX, saltire stops.

[Deeman]

Henry VIII third coinage crown

The crown (second coinage 'crown of the double-rose') had a value of 5/- at a weight of 48 grains (down from second coinage 57.37 grains), 0.1oz troy at 0.917 fine (22ct), 24mm diameter. The obverse depicts a crowned Tudor rose flanked by the crowned letters 'h-R' within a circumscription translating to 'Henry 8, a dazzling rose without a thorn' for London and 'Henry 8, rose without a thorn' for Bristol and Southwark. The reverse depicts a crowned shield with the arms of England and France flanked by the crowned letters 'h-R' within a circumscription translating to 'By the Grace of God, England, France and Ireland, king.'

The London issue is differentiated from the second coinage crown by the pellet in annulet initial mark.

In 1545 the standard of fineness was debased to 20ct, 0.833 fine. The weight remained at 48 grains.




1544-47 crown, London, pellet in annulet initial mark both sides.
Obverse inscription is hЄnRIC 8 RVTILA' ROSA SInЄ SPI', slipped trefoil stops, crowned 'h-R' in field.
Reverse inscription is DI' GRA' AGLI' FRAnC' z hIBЄ RЄX, slipped trefoil stops, crowned 'H-R' in field.




1545-47 crown, Southwark, 'E' initial mark on obverse, Lombardic 'Є' on reverse. ('E' was the initial letter for under-treasurer John York's surname in Latin.)
Obverse inscription is hЄnRIC 8 ROSA SInЄ SPInA', slipped trefoil stops, crowned 'h-R' in field.
Reverse inscription is DЄI GRA' AGLI' FRA' z hIB' RЄX, slipped trefoil stops, crowned 'h-R' in field.




1546-47 crown, Bristol Castle, WS monogram initial mark on reverse (under-treasurer William Sharrington).
Obverse inscription is hЄnRIC 8 ROSA SInЄ SPInЄ, crowned 'h-R' in field, lis between ROSA and SInЄ, rose between SInЄ and SPInЄ.
Reverse inscription is DЄI GRA' AGLI' FRA' z hIB' RЄX, mix of annulet and pellet stops, crowned 'h-R' in field.




1546-47 crown, Bristol Castle, WS monogram initial mark on reverse. (Henry 8.)
Obverse inscription is hЄnRIC 8 ROSЄ SInЄ SPInЄ, crowned 'h-R' in field, quatrefoil between ROSЄ and SInЄ, and SInЄ and SPInЄ.
Reverse inscription is D' G' AnGLIЄ FRA' z hIB' RЄX, mix of annulet and pellet stops, crowned 'h-R' in field, quatrefoil between AnGLIЄ and FRA.




1546-47 crown, Bristol Castle, WS monogram initial mark on reverse. (Henry VIII.)
Obverse inscription is hЄnRIC VIII ROSA SInЄ SPInA, quatrefoil stops, crowned 'h-R' in field.
Reverse inscription is D' G' AnGLI' FRAnC z hIB' RЄX, crowned 'h-R' in field, quatrefoil between AnGLI and FRAnC, and after RЄX.

[Deeman]

Henry VIII third coinage halfcrown

The halfcrown was valued at 2/6 at a weight of 24 grains, 0.05oz troy at 0.917 fine (22ct), 19mm diameter. As with the second coinage, the circumscriptions are transposed when compared to the crown with the king's name now on the reverse.

The obverse depicts a crowned Tudor rose flanked by the same uncrowned letters, within a circumscription of RUTILANS ROSA SINE SPINA or abbreviations thereof translating to 'A dazzling rose without a thorn.' The reverse depicts a crowned shield with the arms of England and France flanked by the letters 'h-R'. The circumscription translates to 'Henry 8, by the Grace of God, England, France and Ireland, king.'

The London issue is differentiated from the second coinage halfcrown by the pellet in annulet initial mark.

In 1545 the standard of fineness was debased to 20ct, 0.833 fine. The weight remained at 24 grains.




1544-47 halfcrown, London, pellet in annulet initial mark both sides.
Obverse inscription is RVTILAnS ROSA SInЄ SPInA', saltire stops, 'h-R' in field.
Reverse inscription is hЄnRIC 8 DI' G' AnG' FR' z hIB' RЄX, saltire stops, 'h-R' in field.




1545-47 halfcrown, Southwark, 'S' initial mark both sides.
Obverse inscription is RVTILAnS ROSA SInЄ SPI', trefoil stops, 'h-R' in field.
Reverse inscription is hЄnRIC 8 D' G' AnG' FR' z hI' RЄX, trefoil stops, 'h-R' in field.




1546-47 halfcrown, Bristol Castle, WS monogram initial mark on reverse (under-treasurer William Sharrington).
Obverse inscription is RVTILAnS ROSA SInЄ SPInA', no stops, 'h-R' in field.
Reverse inscription is hЄnRIC 8 D' G' AnG' FR' z hIB' RЄX, pellet stops, 'h-R' in field.

[Deeman]

Henry VIII third coinage testoon

The testoon was introduced in 1502 by Henry's father, but proved unpopular and after two- or three-years production ceased. Henry VIII reintroduced them in 1544 at a considerably lower quantity of silver during the Great Debasement. Soon after his death, testoons were demonetised and many of Henry VIII's coins perished in melting pots, leaving his coins somewhat rare. Minted at London, Bristol and Southwark.

The testoon had a value of 12d at a weight of 120 grains, 0.25oz troy at 0.75 fine, 30-31mm diameter. Silver coinage suffered from further debasement in succeeding years; silver 0.5 fine 1545-46 and billon at 0.333 fine 1546-47. The obverse of the testoon depicts a crowned, bearded facing bust, the crown having a single jewelled arch, within a circumscription commencing with an initial mark which translates to 'Henry VIII (or '8'), by the Grace of God, England, France and Ireland, king.' The reverse depicts a crowned Tudor rose flanked by the crowned letters 'h-R' within a circumscription, commencing with an initial mark, of POSUI DEUM ADJUTOREM MEUM or abbreviation thereof which translates to 'I have made God my helper' from Psalms 54.4 for Tower issues, whilst Southwark and Bristol issues have CIVITAS LONDON and CIVITAS BRISTOLIE respectively.




1544-47 testoon, London, lis initial mark both sides.
Obverse inscription is hЄnRIC VIII DI' GRA' AGL' FRA' z hIB' RЄX, saltire stops, bust 1.
Reverse inscription is POSVI DЄVM ADIVTORIVM' MЄVM, saltire stops.




1544-47 testoon, London, lis initial mark on obverse, double lis on reverse.
Obverse inscription is hЄnRIC VIII DI' GRA' AGL' FRA' z hIB' RЄX, saltire stops, bust 1.
Reverse inscription is POSVI DЄVM ADIVTORIVM' MЄVM, saltire stops.




1544-47 testoon, London, pellet in annulet initial mark both sides.
Obverse inscription is hЄnRIC 8 D' G' AGL' FRA' z hIB' RЄX, slipped trefoil stops, bust 2 (cropped hair).
Reverse inscription is POSVI DЄVm ADIVTORIVm' mЄVm, slipped trefoil stops.




1544-47 testoon, Southwark, 'S' initial mark both sides.
Obverse inscription is hEnRIC 8 D' G' AGL' FRA' z hIB' REX, slipped trefoil stops, bust 2 (cropped hair).
Reverse inscription is CIVITAS LONDON, slipped trefoil stops.

[Deeman]

Henry VIII third coinage groat

In 1544-45, the groat had a weight 40 grains, 0.0833oz troy at 0.75 fine, 24mm diameter. Silver coinage suffered from further debasement in succeeding years; silver 0.5 fine 1545-46 and billon at 0.333 fine 1546-47.
The obverse depicts a three-quarter crowned bust facing right, the crown having a single jewelled arch, within a circumscription commencing with an initial mark which translates to 'Henry 8, by the Grace of God, England, France and Ireland, king.' The reverse design is a long cross fourchée surmounted by a square-topped shield bearing the King's arms. There are two types of reverse inscriptions commencing with an initial mark, divided across the quadrants of the cross. Tower issues have POSUI DEUM ADJUTOREM MEUM or abbreviation thereof which translates to 'I have made God my helper' from Psalms 54.4, whilst other mints identify the city in their circumscription. The Dissolution of the Monasteries was followed in 1542 by the designation of Bristol as a bishopric and a city. From the reopening of the Bristol mint in 1546 the mint signature was changed from the previous VILLA BRISTOLIE to CIVITAS BRISTOLIE.




1544-47 groat, London, lis initial mark both sides.
Obverse inscription is hЄnRIC 8 D' G' AGL' [FRA' z] hIB' RЄX, saltire stops, bust 1.
Reverse inscription is POSVI / DЄV' A / DIVTOR / Є' mЄV, saltire stops, annulet in cross-ends.




1545-47 groat, York, no initial mark.
Obverse inscription is HENRIC 8 D' G' AGL' FRA' z HIB' REX, trefoil stops, bust 2.
Reverse inscription is CIVI / TAS / EBO / RACI, trefoil stops.




1546-47 groat, Bristol Castle, WS monogram initial mark on reverse.
Obverse inscription is hЄnRIC 8 D' G' AGL' FRA' z hIB' RЄX, trefoil stops, bust 2.
Reverse inscription is CIVI / TAS / BRIS / TOLIЄ, saltire stops.

[Deeman]

Henry VIII third coinage half-groat
In 1544-45, the half-groat had a weight 20 grains, 0.0417oz troy at 0.75 fine, 19mm diameter. Silver coinage suffered from further debasement in succeeding years; silver 0.5 fine 1545-46 and billon at 0.333 fine 1546-47.

The designs and inscriptions follow those of the groat.




1544-47 half-groat, London, lis initial mark both sides.
Obverse inscription is hENRIC 8 D' G' R' AGL' FRA' z hIB' RЄX, saltire stops, bust 1.
Reverse inscription is POSVI / DЄV' A / DIVTO' / Є' mЄV, saltire stops, annulet in cross-ends.




1546-47 half-groat, Bristol Castle, WS monogram initial mark on reverse.
Obverse inscription is hЄnRIC 8 D' G' AGL' FR' z hIB' RЄX, pellet stops, bust 1.
Reverse inscription is CIVI / TAS / BRIS / TOLIЄ, saltire stops, trefoil in cross-ends.

[Deeman]

Henry VIII third coinage penny

In 1544-45, the halfpenny had a weight of 10 grains, 0.0208oz troy at 0.75 fine, 15mm diameter. Silver coinage suffered from further debasement in succeeding years; silver 0.5 fine 1545-46 and billon at 0.333 fine 1546-47.

The obverse design is a crowned, bearded bust facing with a circumscription which translates to 'Henry, by the Grace of God, a rose without a thorn'. The reverse design is a long cross fourchée surmounted by a square-topped shield bearing the King's arms. The circumscription, which is split across the quadrants formed by the cross, identifies the mint.




1547-51 penny, York, no initial mark.
Obverse inscription is h' D' G' ROSA SIЄ' SPIA', saltire stops.
Reverse inscription is CIVI / TAS / ЄBO / RACI.

[Deeman]

Henry VIII third coinage halfpenny

In 1544-45, the halfpenny had a weight of 5 grains, 0.0104oz troy at 0.75 fine, 11mm diameter. Silver coinage suffered from further debasement in succeeding years; silver 0.5 fine 1545-46 and billon at 0.333 fine 1546-47.

The obverse design is a crowned, bearded bust facing with a circumscription which translates to 'Henry, by the Grace of God, a rose without a thorn'. The reverse design is a long cross fourchée dividing the coin into four quadrants circumscribed by an inscription identifying the mint, split across the quadrants with each inner quadrant having a trio of pellets.




1544-47 halfpenny, London.
Obverse inscription is h' D' G' ROSA [SIЄ' SPIA'].
Reverse inscription is CIVI / [TAS / LON / DON], pellet in annulet at centre of cross.

[Deeman]

Henry VIII third coinage farthing

In 1544-45, the farthing had a weight of 2.5 grains, 0.00521oz troy at 0.925 fine, 9mm diameter. Silver coinage suffered from further debasement in succeeding years; silver 0.5 fine 1545-46 and billon at 0.333 fine 1546-47.

The obverse design is a rose with a circumscription translating to 'Henry, by the Grace of God, a dazzling rose'. The reverse design is a long cross fourchée dividing the coin into four quadrants, each with a single pellet, circumscribed by an inscription translating to 'By the Grace of God.'




1544-47 farthing, London, no initial mark. (Extremely rare.)
Obverse inscription is h D G RVTL ROSA, trefoil stops.
Reverse inscription is DЄO / GR / ACI / AS, pellet in quadrants.

[Deeman]

Edward VI

Edward VI became king at the age of nine upon the death of his father, Henry VIII, and a Regency was created. Although he was intellectually precocious (fluent in Greek and Latin, he kept a full journal of his reign), he was not, however, physically robust.

His short reign was dominated by nobles using the Regency to strengthen their own positions. The King's Council, previously dominated by Henry, succumbed to existing factionalism. On Henry's death, Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford and soon to be Duke of Somerset, the new King's eldest uncle, became Protector.

Seymour was an able soldier; he led a punitive expedition against the Scots, for their failure to fulfil their promise to betroth Mary, Queen of Scots to Edward, which led to Seymour's victory at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh in 1547 - although he failed to follow this up with satisfactory peace terms.

During Edward's reign, the Church of England became more explicitly Protestant. The Book of Common Prayer was introduced in 1549, aspects of Roman Catholic practices (including statues and stained glass) were eradicated and the marriage of clergy allowed. The imposition of the Prayer Book (which replaced Latin services with English) led to rebellions in Cornwall and Devon.

Despite his military ability, Seymour was too liberal to deal effectively with Kett's rebellion against land enclosures in Norfolk. Seymour was left isolated in the Council and the Duke of Northumberland subsequently overthrew him in 1551. Seymour was executed in 1552, an event which was only briefly mentioned by Edward in his diary: 'Today, the Duke of Somerset had his head cut off on Tower Hill.'

Northumberland took greater trouble to charm and influence Edward; his powerful position as Lord President of the Council was based on his personal ascendancy over the King. However, the young king was ailing. Northumberland hurriedly married his son Lord Guilford Dudley to Lady Jane Grey, one of Henry VIII's great-nieces and a claimant to the throne.

Edward accepted Jane as his heir and, on his death from tuberculosis in 1553, Jane assumed the throne and her claim was recognised by the Council on 10 July in London. Despite this, the country rallied to Mary, Catherine of Aragon's daughter and a devout Roman Catholic. Jane was deposed on 19 July, her own father even abandoning her cause. She had reigned for only nine days and was later executed with her husband in 1554.

[Deeman]

Edward VI coinage

Between 1544 and 1551 Henry VIII and Edward VI systematically debased the currency, replacing precious metal content of coins with base metals for the sake of fiscal profit. For approximately 400 years, England had maintained 92.5% purity for sterling, but with Henry's debasement, the purity of coins gradually dropped to 75%, then to 50%, and finally to 33%. A 1551 issue under Edward VI contained only 25% of the silver contained in pre-debasement issues. As a result, the earlier prestige of English coin, which at times had been the envy of northern Europe, quickly disintegrated over a brief period.

The coinage under Edward is complicated by the number of issues produced on various standards of weight and fineness and the many changes in design that occurred in the reign. Following Edward's accession, the need to rectify the parlous state of the currency was recognised but initial action was deferred for many reasons, one being inflation in Europe. The influx of large amounts of South American gold and especially silver into Europe from the Spanish colonies in the 16th century meant that too much money was chasing too few goods, causing prices to increase many-fold. Coinage was one of a number of competing uses for precious metals. If the value of the metal in coins rose above the price at which the metal could be purchased, there was a tendency of the coins to be melted for bullion. The cost of a coin is always greater than the cost of its materials especially when coining was labour intensive with skilled craftsmen. The value of a coin, if it is not to be produced at a loss, must always exceed this cost. This difference, seignorage, was profit for the government. Therefore, as prices crept higher, the precious metal content of the coins had to decline. Debasement began in earnest in 1544 and, up to 1551, was carried out not as a means of adjusting the metallic content of the coin to below face value, but as a means of generating profit to finance wars. In Oct 1551, the fineness of new coin was restored to the approximate standard of 1526.

The first period of Edward's coinage, from his accession in Jan 1547 to near the end of Jan 1549, was merely a continuation of the last period of his father's reign, and in fact the two indentures of Apr 1547 and Feb 1548, making up the first and second issues, provided merely for the continued striking of the current 20ct. gold sovereigns and halves and the 4-oz. silver testoons, groats, and smaller money. Thus, not only were the standards and denominations unaltered, but the only change in the great majority of coins was to be found on the half-sovereigns, where a youthful figure replaced that of the old king on the throne, though still with Henry's name.

Issues in the name of Henry continued between 1547-51, comprising the sovereign to 1549 (London and Bristol); half-sovereign (London and Southwark); crown and half-crown (London and Southwark); testoon (London and Bristol Castle but Bristol issues indistinguishable from those struck during Henry's reign); groat and half-groat (London, Bristol Castle, Canterbury, Durham House and York); penny (London, Bristol Castle, Canterbury, Durham House and York); halfpenny (London, Canterbury and York). Southwark mint, which opened Jul 1545, closed Jul 1551; Canterbury opened Jun 1545, closed Feb 1550; Bristol Castle opened May 1546, closed Oct 1549; Durham House (on the Strand) opened Dec 1548, closed Oct 1549.

Coins of the first period in Edward's name were in fact minted alongside the posthumous coins naming his late father. These were struck between Apr 1547 and Jan 1549 and consisted of gold half sovereigns, crowns and halfcrowns and base silver groats, half-groats, pennies and halfpennies, which were struck on a 4oz standard (0.25 fine). Edward's coinage returned to a profile bust rather than the facing bust of his father's later issues. In the second period (Jan 1549-Apr 1550) action was taken to improve the fineness of the coinage. This began with the gold which was raised from 20 to 22ct. At the top was the sovereign with the distinctive figure of the king enthroned. In the design of the half-sovereign, there was some experimentation with both an uncrowned and crowned bust of the young king which was also adopted on the smaller gold coins, the crown and its half. The second period, in which the only silver denomination was the shilling, witnessed a confusing series of changes to the silver standard. The initial issues were struck on an 8oz standard but at a weight of 60 grains, and was quickly altered to produce heavier coins of 80 grains but at the reduced fineness of 6oz silver. These were struck at London, Southwark, Durham House, Canterbury and Bristol and introduced some new features such as new mottoes, transposition of the legends, addition of the date at the end of the inscription and the change to an oval reverse shield. The last shillings before the fine silver coinage came into production in 1551 were struck on a very base 3oz standard with pennies and halfpennies produced alongside them.

In 1550 the fineness of the gold coinage was improved further, at least for the sovereign of 30/- and the 10/- angel and its half. The 22ct standard was continued for the rest of the gold coinage. In 1551 the silver standard was returned to the quality it had enjoyed before the Great Debasement of 1544 and there was a clear and concerted attempt to convert the majority of the previous base issues into new good quality money. Production was the responsibility of the Tower mint and that at York and with the new standard came new denominations in silver – crowns, halfcrowns, shilling (formerly testoon), sixpence and threepence. The pennies reverted to the sovereign style seen in earlier reigns. Both gold and silver crowns continued to be struck concurrently until early in the reign of Charles II, when minting of the gold crown ceased.

With the reign of Edward VI, local mints came to an end, and henceforth, with two notable exceptions, all the coins both in gold and silver were struck at the Tower mint. The exceptions occurred during the reign of Charles I in the period of the Civil War, and in 1696 on the occasion of the great re-coinage of silver money.


Henry VIII posthumous denominations and mints

Sovereign – London and Bristol.
Half-sovereign - London and Southwark.
Crown and halfcrown - London and Southwark.
Testoon - London and Bristol.
Groat and half-groat - London, Bristol, Canterbury, Durham House, Southwark and York.
Penny - London, Bristol, Canterbury, Durham House, Southwark and York.
Halfpenny - London, Canterbury and York.

Initial marks

The following initial marks were used for Henry VIII posthumous issues:




Edward VI denominations and mints

Treble-sovereign - Southwark second period.
Double-sovereign - Southwark third period.
Sovereign - Southwark second period and London third period.
Half-sovereign - London and Southwark first period.
Half-sovereign - London, Durham House and Southwark second period.
Half-sovereign - London third period.
Angel and half-angel - Southwark third period.
Gold crown - London and Southwark first and second periods.
Gold crown - London third period.
Gold halfcrown - London and Southwark first and second periods.
Gold halfcrown - London third period.
Silver crown - London third period, fine silver issue.
Silver halfcrown - London third period, fine silver issue.
Shilling - London, Canterbury, Durham House and Southwark second period, 60 grains first issue.
Shilling - London, Bristol, Canterbury, Durham House and Southwark second period, 80 grains second issue.
Shilling - London and Southwark third period, very base issue.
Shilling - London third period, fine silver issue.
Sixpence - London and York third period, fine silver issue.
Groats - London and Southwark first period.
Threepence - London and York third period, fine silver issue.
Half-groat - London, Canterbury and Southwark first period.
Penny - London, Bristol and Southwark first period.
Penny - London and York third period, very base issue (used as halfpenny).
Penny - London third period, fine silver issue ('sovereign' type).
Halfpenny – London and Bristol first period.
Halfpenny - London third period, very base issue (used as farthing).
Farthing - London third period, fine silver issue.

Initial marks

The following initial marks were used for Edward VI issues:



Issue dates for Edward VI with marks applicable to specific mints identified:

1547-48: arrow; E (Southwark).
1548-49: bow (Durham House).
1549: arrow; grapple; rose, 't' and 'T' (Canterbury); TC monogram (Bristol); pheon.
1549-50: swan; Roman Y (Southwark).
1549-50: 6 (gold only).
1550: martlet; leopard's head; 'y' (London) and 'Y' (Southwark).
1550-51: lion; rose.
1551: ostrich's head (gold only).
1551-53; tun; escallop.
1552-53; pierced mullet (York).

[Deeman]

Edward VI - Henry VIII posthumous coinage- sovereign

The posthumous sovereign was issued at 20ct, 0.833 fine at a weight of 192 grains,0.4oz troy. They can be distinguished from Henry VIII's third coinage issue by the Roman lettering.

The obverse of the sovereign depicts the king with imperial crown, sporting a beard and wearing a ruff, seated facing on a high curve-back throne with decorative side pillars and patterned back, wearing his coronation gown and holding orb and sceptre, a Tudor rose at king's feet. The circumscription translates to 'Henry 8, by the Grace of God, England, France and Ireland, king'. The reverse design features a crowned quartered shield of the Royal Arms supported by a crowned lion and a dragon with a monogram HR in cartouche below. The circumscription reads JESUS AUTEM TRANSIENS PER MEDIUM ILLORUM IBAT or abbreviation thereof translating to 'But Jesus passing through their midst went His way', Luke 4:30.




1547-49 sovereign, London, lis initial mark both sides.
Obverse inscription is HENRIC 8 D' GRA' AGL' / FRANC z HIBER' REX, rosette stops.
Reverse inscription is IHS AVTE' TRANCIENS PER MEDIV' ILLOR' IBAT, rosette stops.




1547-49 sovereign, Bristol Castle, WS monogram initial mark both sides.
Obverse inscription is HENRIC 8 DEI GRA AGL' / FRAN z HIB REX, rosette stops.
Reverse inscription is IHS AVTEM TRANCIENS PER MEDIVM ILLOR' IBAT, rosette stops.

[Deeman]

Edward VI - Henry VIII posthumous coinage - half-sovereign

The posthumous half-sovereign had a value of 10/- and was issued at 20ct, 0.833 fine at a weight of 96 grains, 0.2oz troy with a 29-30mm diameter. The obverse depicts a youthful king with imperial crown seated facing on a high-back throne with decorative side pillars, wearing his coronation gown and holding orb and sceptre, a Tudor rose at king's feet. The circumscription translates to 'Henry 8, by the Grace of God, England, France and Ireland, king'. The reverse design features a crowned quartered shield of the Royal Arms supported by a crowned lion and a dragon with a monogram ER in cartouche below. The circumscription reads JESUS AUTEM TRANSIENS PER MEDIUM ILLORUM IBAT or abbreviation thereof translating to 'But Jesus passing through their midst went His way', Luke 4:30.




1547-51 half-sovereign, London, arrow initial mark both sides. (Arrow for under-treasurer Sir Martin Bowes.)
Obverse inscription is HENRIC 8 D' GRA' AG' / FRANC z HIB' REX, lozenge stops.
Reverse inscription is IHS AVTE' TRANSIE PER MEDI' ILLOR' IBAT, lozenge stops.




1547-51 half-sovereign, Southwark, 'E' initial mark both sides. ('E' was the initial letter for under-treasurer John York's surname in Latin.)
Obverse inscription is HENRIC 8 D' GRA' AGL' / FRANC z HIB' REX, lozenge stops.
Reverse inscription is IHS AVTEM TRANSIE PER MEDIM ILLOR' IBAT, lozenge stops, 'E' below shield.

[Deeman]

Edward VI - Henry VIII posthumous coinage - crown

The posthumous crown had a value of 5/- at a weight of 48 grains, 0.1oz troy at 0.833 fine (20ct), 23-24mm diameter. The obverse depicts a crowned Tudor rose flanked by the crowned letters 'h-R' within a circumscription translating to 'Henry 8, a dazzling rose without a thorn' for London and 'Henry 8, rose without a thorn' for Southwark. The reverse depicts a crowned shield with the arms of England and France flanked by the crowned letters 'h-R' within a circumscription translating to 'By the Grace of God, England, France and Ireland, king.'




1547-51 crown, London, 'K' initial mark on reverse.
Obverse inscription is HENRIC 8 RVTILA' ROS' SIN' SPI', lozenge stops, crowned 'h-R' in field.
Reverse inscription is DEI' GRA' AGL' FRANC' z HIB REX, lozenge stops, crowned 'h-R' in field.

[Deeman]

Edward VI - Henry VIII posthumous coinage - halfcrown

The posthumous halfcrown was valued at 2/6 at a weight of 24 grains, 0.05oz troy at 0.833 fine (20ct), 19mm diameter. The circumscriptions are transposed when compared to the crown and the king's name is now on the reverse.

The obverse depicts a crowned Tudor rose flanked by the same uncrowned letters, within a circumscription of RUTILANS ROSA SINE SPINA or abbreviations thereof translating to 'A dazzling rose without a thorn.' The reverse depicts a crowned shield with the arms of England and France flanked by the letters 'h-R' or 'H-R'. The circumscription translates to 'Henry 8, by the Grace of God, England, France and Ireland, king.'




1547-51 halfcrown, London, arrow initial mark on obverse, pellet in annulet on reverse.
Obverse inscription is RVTILANS ROSA SINE SPI', lozenge stops, 'h-R' in field.
Reverse inscription is HENRIC 8 D' G' AG' FR' z HI' REX, lozenge stops, 'E/h-R' in field.




1550-51 halfcrown, London, martlet initial mark both sides.
Obverse inscription is RVTILANS ROSA SINE SPIA', lozenge stops, 'H-R' in field.
Reverse inscription is HENRIC 8 D' G' AG' FR' z HI' REX, lozenge stops, 'H-R' in field.