Description
Denomination: Silver halfgroat, second coinage
Period: Tudor
Date: 1533-1544
Origin: Canterbury mint, Archbishop Thomas Cranmer
Condition: AVF, good portrait, edge a little ragged
Obverse: Younger crowned bust in three quarter profile, Catherine wheel mint mark HENRIC VIII D G R AGL Z FRA
Reverse: Long cross over quartered shield of arms, TC either side, legend around POSVI DEV A DIVTOR E MEV
Size and Weight: 18mm, 1.24g
References: Spink 2345, North 1804
Features and Provenance: Born in 1491, Henry Tudor went from a healthy, handsome, sportsman in his youth to totally the opposite, dying at the relatively young age of 55 in 1557. He is well known for his obsession to have a male heir and this led him to famously marry six wives. He is less well known for his greed and need to raise money for his wars in France. To this end, he debased the coinage to such an extent that towards the end of his reign silver coins only had a wash of precious metal over base metal; when this wore away on the high points the copper could be seen underneath, gaining the king the nickname ‘Old Coppernose.’
Condition Summary. This varies with the age of coin and there are grades between
Uncirculated (U). As struck with no traces of wear
Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear. all parts of legend etc present. visible and clear
Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief. all parts of legend etc present. but maybe worn
Fine (F). Wear on the coin and parts of legend etc may be missing or not visible
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