English Coinage of the Tudors

[Deeman]

Edward VI second period crown

The second period crown had a value of 5/- and was issued at 22ct, 0.917 fine at a weight of 42.35 grains, 0.088oz troy with a 23-24mm diameter. The obverse depicts the profile cuirassed bust of the king, either uncrowned or crowned, facing right. The reverse design features a crowned, garnished, oval quartered shield of the Royal Arms flanked by the letters 'E-R'. The circumscription relating to the king translates to 'Edward VI, by the Grace of God, England, France and Ireland, king'. The circumscription relating to the motto is SCUTUM FIDEI PROTEGET EUM translating to 'The shield of faith shall protect him.'

The uncrowned bust has the motto on the obverse and the king's titles on the reverse, whereas the crowned bust has the king's titles on the obverse and the motto on the reverse.




1549-50 crown, uncrowned bust, London, arrow initial mark on obverse.
Obverse inscription is SCVTVM FIDEI PROTEGET EVM, lozenge stops.
Reverse inscription is EDWARD VI D G AGL FR z HIB REX, lozenge stops.




1549-50 crown, crowned bust, London, arrow initial mark both sides.
Obverse inscription is EDWARD VI D G AG FRA z HIB REX, lozenge stops.
Reverse inscription is SCVTVM FIDEI PROTEGET EVM, lozenge stops.

[Deeman]

Edward VI second period halfcrown

The second period half-crown had a value of 2/6 and was issued at 22ct, 0.917 fine at a weight of 21.17 grains, 0.044oz troy with a 19mm diameter. Descriptions for the same period crown apply.




1549-50 half-crown, uncrowned bust, London, arrow initial mark on obverse.
Obverse inscription is SCVTVM FIDEI PROTEGET EVM, lozenge stops.
Reverse inscription is EDWAR' VI D' G' AGL' FR' z H' R', lozenge stops.




1549-50 half-crown, crowned bust, Southwark, 'Y' initial mark on obverse.
Obverse inscription is EDWARD VI D G A F z H REX, lozenge stops.
Reverse inscription is SCVTVM FIDEI PROTE EVM, lozenge stops.

[Deeman]

Edward VI second period shilling

The shilling was the only silver denomination issued in the second period. The initial issues were struck on an 8oz standard at a weight of 60 grains, 0.125oz troy at 0.667 fine, but was quickly altered to produce heavier coins of 80 grains, 0.167oz troy, but at the reduced fineness of 0.5 (6oz standard) that maintained the silver content to that of the 8oz standard issue. These were struck at London, Southwark, Durham House, Canterbury and latterly Bristol Castle, and introduced new mottoes, transposition of the legends and addition of the date at the end of the inscription. The diameter was 28-30mm.

The obverse depicts the profile cuirassed, crowned bust of the king facing right. The reverse design features a crowned, garnished, oval quartered shield of the Royal Arms flanked by the letters 'E-R'.

The circumscription relating to the king translates to 'Edward VI, by the Grace of God, England, France and Ireland, king'.

Circumscriptions relating to mottoes are TIMOR DOMINI FONS VITÆ (The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, Proverbs 14:27) and INIMICOS EJUS INDUAM CONFUSIONE (As for his enemies, I shall clothe them with shame, Psalms 131:18).




1549 dated shilling, London, arrow initial mark both sides. (60 grains, 8oz standard.)
Obverse inscription is TIMOR DOMINI FONS VITÆ M D XL IX, lozenge stops, bust 1.
Reverse inscription is EDWARD VI D' G' AGL' FRA' z HIB' R', lozenge stops.




1549 dated shilling, London, arrow initial mark on reverse. (60 grains, 8oz standard.)
Obverse inscription is TIMOR DOMINI FONS VITÆ M D XL IX, lozenge stops, bust 2.
Reverse inscription is EDWARD VI D' G' AGL' FRA' z HIB' REX, lozenge stops.




1549 dated shilling, London, grapple initial mark both sides. (80 grains, 6oz standard.)
Obverse inscription is EDWARD VI D' G' AGL' FRA' z HIB' REX, lozenge stops, bust 5.
Reverse inscription is TIMOR DOMINI FONS VITE M D XLIX, lozenge stops.




1549 dated shilling, London, grapple initial mark both sides. (80 grains, 6oz standard.)
Obverse inscription is EDWARD VI D' G' AGL' FRA' z HIB' REX, lozenge stops, bust 5.
Reverse inscription is TIMOR DOMINI FONS VITE M D XLIX, lozenge stops, heavily garnished shield.




1549 dated shilling, Southwark, 'Y' initial mark both sides. (80 grains, 6oz standard.)
Obverse inscription is EDWARD VI D' G' AGL' FRA' z HIB' REX, lozenge stops, bust 3.
Reverse inscription is TIMOR DOMINI FONS VITE M D XLIX, lozenge stops.




1549 dated shilling, Canterbury, 't' initial mark both sides for under-treasurer William Tillsworth. (80 grains, 6oz standard.)
Obverse inscription is EDWARD VI D' G' AGL' FRA' z HIB' REX, lozenge stops, bust 4.
Reverse inscription is TIMOR DOMINI FONS VITE M D XLIX, lozenge stops.




1549 shilling, Durham House, bow initial mark both sides. (80 grains, 6oz standard.)
Obverse inscription is INIMICOS EIVS INDVAM CONFVSIONE, slipped trefoil stops, bust 1.
Reverse inscription is EDWARD VI D G AGL FRA z HIBER REX, slipped trefoil stops, heavily garnished shield.




1549 shilling, Durham House, bow initial mark both sides. (80 grains, 6oz standard.)
Obverse inscription is EDWARD VI D' G' AGL' FRA' z HIB' REX, lozenge stops, bust 5.
Reverse inscription is INIMICOS EIVS INDVAM CONFVSIONE, lozenge stops, heavily garnished shield.

[Deeman]

Edward VI third period 'fine' sovereign and double-sovereign

The sovereign had a value of 30/-, 0.995 fine (23.875ct) at a weight of 240 grains, 0.5oz troy with a 44mm diameter. The double-sovereign had a value of 60/- and, in essence, was a piedfort being of standard diameter but double weight. Both had an ostrich's head initial mark, but, in addition, the sovereign was also issued using a tun.

The obverse depicts the king with imperial crown, seated facing on a high-back throne with decorative side pillars and patterned back, robed and holding orb and sceptre, the Tudor symbol of portcullis with chains at king's feet, tressure of trefoils on inner circle. The circumscription translates to 'Edward VI, by the Grace of God, England, France and Ireland, king'. The reverse design features a quartered shield of the Royal Arms within a double rose, symbolising the union of York and Lancaster after the Wars of the Roses. The Tudor rose is surrounded by a ten-arched double tressure divided into five two-crescent sections by the leaves of the emblem with saltires in the spandrels. 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.




1551 'fine' sovereign or double-sovereign, Southwark, ostrich's head initial mark both sides (thought to be a rebus on the name of the high treasurer Sir Edmund Peckham).
Obverse inscription is ЄDWARD VI D' G' AnGLIЄ / FRAnCIЄ z hIBЄRn RЄX, saltire stops.
Reverse inscription is IhЄSV AVTЄM TRAnCIЄnS PЄR MЄDIVM ILLORVM IBAT, saltire stops.

[Deeman]

Edward VI third period 'fine' angel

The angel had a value of 10/-, at a weight of 80 grains, 0.167oz troy at 0.995 fine (23.875ct), with a diameter of 29mm. 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, the other end of which ends in a cross-crosslet which normally marks the termination of the circumscription which translates to 'Edward VI, by the Grace of God, England, France and Ireland, king.' The reverse design is an English galley with two ropes to the mast from the stern, one from the prow and with 'Є' and a rose set below the main topmast, the ship surmounted by square-topped shield bearing the King's arms, all within a circumscription of PER CRUCEM TUAM SALVA NOS CHRISTE REDEMPTOR or abbreviation thereof translating to 'By Thy cross save us, O Christ Redeemer'.




1551 angel, Southwark, ostrich's head initial mark both sides.
Obverse inscription is ЄDWARD VI D G AGL FRA z hIB RЄX, saltire stops.
Reverse inscription is PЄR CRVCЄ' TVAM SALVA nOS XPЄ' RЄD, saltire stops.

[Deeman]

Edward VI third period 'fine' half-angel

The half-angel had a value of 5/-, at a weight of 40 grains, 0.0833oz troy at 0.995 fine (23.875ct), with a diameter of 19mm. The designs and inscriptions are reduced versions of those of the angel, apart from the use of Roman characters in the inscriptions.




1551 half-angel, Southwark, ostrich's head initial mark both sides.
Obverse inscription is EDWARD VI D' G' A' F' z HI' REX, lozenge stops.
Reverse inscription is PЄR CRV' TVA' SALVA NOS XPE, lozenge stops.

[Deeman]

Edward VI third period sovereign

The sovereign had a value of 20/-, 0.917 fine (22ct), at a weight of 174.6 grains, 0.364oz troy with a 36mm diameter. The obverse depicts a half-length crowned, cuirassed figure of the king holding orb and sword, within a circumscription translating to 'Edward VI, 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 'E-R' 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.




1551-53 sovereign, London, tun initial mark both sides.
Obverse inscription is ЄDWARD VI D' G' AGL' FRA' z hIBЄR' RЄX, lozenge stops.
Reverse inscription is IhS' AVTЄm TRAnCIЄ' PЄR mЄDI' ILLORV' IBAT, lozenge stops.




1551 sovereign, London, 'y' initial mark both sides.
Obverse inscription is ЄDWARD VI D' G' AGL' FRA' z hIB' RЄX, lozenge stops.
Reverse inscription is IhS' AVTЄm TRAnCI' PЄR mЄDI' ILLOR' IBAT, lozenge stops.

[Deeman]

Edward VI third period half-sovereign

The half-sovereign had a value of 10/-, 0.917 fine (22ct), at a weight of 87.3 grains, 0.182oz troy with a 32mm diameter. The obverse depicts a half-length crowned, cuirassed figure of the king holding orb and sword, within a circumscription translating to 'Edward VI, by the Grace of God, England, France and Ireland, king'. The reverse depicts a crowned shield with the arms of England and France flanked by the letters 'E-R' within a circumscription of JESUS AUTEM TRANSIENS PER MEDIUM ILLORUM IBAT or abbreviation thereof translating to 'But Jesus passing through their midst went His way', Luke 4:30.




1551-53 half-sovereign, London, tun initial mark both sides.
Obverse inscription is ЄDWARD VI D' G' AGL' FRAnCI' z hIB' RЄX, lozenge stops.
Reverse inscription is IhS' AVTЄm TRAnCIЄnS PЄR mЄDI' ILLOR' IBAT, lozenge stops.

[Deeman]

Edward VI third period crown

The crown had a value of 5/-, 0.917 fine (22ct), at a weight of 43.64 grains, 0.091oz troy with a 23-24mm diameter. The obverse depicts a half-length crowned, cuirassed figure of the king holding orb and sword, within a circumscription translating to 'Edward VI, by the Grace of God, England, France and Ireland, king'. The reverse depicts a crowned shield with the arms of England and France flanked by the letters 'E-R' within a circumscription of SCUTUM FIDEI PROTEGET EUM translating to 'The shield of faith shall protect him.'




1551-53 crown, London, tun initial mark both sides.
Obverse inscription is ЄDWARD VI D' G' AGL' FRAnCI' z hIB' RЄX, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is SCVTVm FIDЄI PROTЄGЄT ЄVm, pellet stops.

[Deeman]

Edward VI third period half-crown

The half-crown had a value of 2/6, 0.917 fine (22ct), at a weight of 21.82 grains, 0.0455oz troy with a 19mm diameter. The designs and inscriptions are those of the crown.




1551-53 half-crown, London, tun initial mark both sides.
Obverse inscription is ЄDWARD VI D' G' AG' FR' z h' RЄX, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is SCVTVm FIDЄI PROTЄG ЄVm, pellet stops.

[Deeman]

Edward VI third period 'very base' shilling

The 'very base' shilling had a weight of 70 grains, 0.146oz troy at 0.25 fine (3oz standard) with a 28-30mm diameter. The obverse depicts the profile cuirassed, crowned bust of the king facing right within a circumscription translating to 'Edward VI, by the Grace of God, England, France and Ireland, king.' The reverse design features a crowned, garnished, oval quartered shield of the Royal Arms, flanked by the letters 'E-R', within a circumscription of TIMOR DOMINI FONS VITÆ (+ date) translating to 'The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,' Proverbs 14:27.




1551 dated very base shilling, London, rose initial mark both sides.
Obverse inscription is EDWARD VI D' G' AGL' FRA' z HIB' REX.
Reverse inscription is TIMOR DOMINI FONS VITE M D LI.

[Deeman]

Edward VI third period 'very base' penny

The 'very base' penny contained so little silver that it was only ever used as a halfpenny. The penny had a weight of 12 grains, 0.025oz troy at 0.25 fine, 15mm diameter. The obverse design is a double petal rose with a circumscription which translates to 'Edward, 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 within a circumscription split across the quadrants formed by the cross, identifying the city.




1551 very base penny, London, escallop initial mark on obverse. (Used as halfpenny.)
Obverse inscription is E D G ROSA SINE SPINA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is CIVI / TAS / LON / DON.




1551 very base penny, York, pierced mullet initial mark on obverse. (Used as halfpenny.)
Obverse inscription is E D G ROSA SINE SPINA, lozenge stops.
Reverse inscription is CIVI / TAS / EBO / RACI.

[Deeman]

Edward VI third period 'very base' halfpenny

The 'very base' halfpenny contained so little silver that it was only ever used as a farthing. The halfpenny had a weight of 6 grains, 0.0125oz troy at 0.25 fine, 11mm diameter. The obverse design is a single petal rose with a circumscription which translates to 'Edward, 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 within a circumscription split across the quadrants formed by the cross, identifying the city.




1551 very base halfpenny, London, escallop initial mark on obverse. (Used as farthing, extremely rare.)
Obverse inscription is E D G ROSA SINE SPI, lozenge stops, type 1 rose.
Reverse inscription is CIVI / TAS / LON / DON.




1551 very base halfpenny, London, escallop initial mark on obverse. (Used as farthing, extremely rare.)
Obverse inscription is E D G ROSA SINE SPI, lozenge stops, type 2 rose.
Reverse inscription is CIVI / TAS / LON / DON.

[Deeman]

Edward VI third period 'fine' silver crown

The 1551 dated crown was the first English coin to have the date displayed in Arabic numerals and also the first time the crown had been issued in silver, having been exclusively a gold issue previously. The gold crowns continue as a concurrent issue until the last of the hammered issue of Charles II in 1662.

The crown had a weight of 460 grains, 0.929 fine, with a diameter of 40mm. The obverse depicts the armoured figure of Edward riding right on a caparisoned horse holding sword upright, a rose on the caparison, date below, all within a circumscription which translates to 'Edward VI, 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. The circumscription divided across the quadrants of the cross is POSUI DEUM ADJUTOREM MEUM or abbreviation thereof which translates to 'I have made God my helper' from Psalms 54:4.




1551 dated silver crown, London, 'y' initial mark both sides.
Obverse inscription is ЄDWARD VI D G AGL' FRAnC' z hIBЄR' RЄX, colon stops, pellets flanking date.
Reverse inscription is POSVI / DЄVm' A / DIVTOR / Є' mЄV.




1553 dated silver crown, London, tun initial mark both sides.
Obverse inscription is ЄDWARD VI D' G' AGL' FRA' z hIB' RЄX, pellet stops, no wire line inner circle.
Reverse inscription is POSVI / DЄV' A / DIVTOR / Є' mЄV'.

[Deeman]

Edward VI third period 'fine' silver halfcrown

The halfcrown had a weight of 230 grains, 0.929 fine, with a diameter of 36mm. The obverse depicts the armoured figure of Edward riding right on a caparisoned horse holding sword upright, date below, all within a circumscription which translates to 'Edward VI, 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. The circumscription divided across the quadrants of the cross is POSUI DEUM ADJUTOREM MEUM or abbreviation thereof which translates to 'I have made God my helper' from Psalms 54:4.




1551 dated silver halfcrown, London, 'y' initial mark both sides.
Obverse inscription is ЄDWARD VI D G AGL' FRA' z hIB' RЄX, colon stops, walking horse with plume, pellets flanking date.
Reverse inscription is POSVI / DЄV' A / DIVTOR / Є' mЄV'.




1551 dated silver halfcrown, London, tun initial mark both sides.
Obverse inscription is ЄDWARD VI D G AGL' FRA' z hIBЄ' RЄX, colon stops, galloping horse, pellets flanking date.
Reverse inscription is POSVI / DЄVm A / DIVTOR / Є' mЄVm.




1552 dated silver halfcrown, London, tun initial mark both sides.
Obverse inscription is ЄDWARD VI D G AGL' FRA' z hIB' RЄX, colon stops, galloping horse.
Reverse inscription is POSVI / DЄVm A / DIVTOR / Є' mЄV, colon stops.




1553 dated silver halfcrown, London, tun initial mark both sides.
Obverse inscription is ЄDWARD VI D G AGL' FRAn' z hIB' RЄX, colon stops, large walking horse.
Reverse inscription is POSVI / DЄVm A / DIVTOR / Є' mЄVm, colon stops.

Only eight 1553 halfcrowns are known and this is the only one with the DEVM MEVM reverse.