Henry VI Silver Halfpenny Annulet Issue Calais Mint 1422-30

Description

Heading: Henry VI silver halfpenny – Annulet Issue Calais Mint

Denomination: Silver halfpenny

Period: Lancastrian, Henry VI First reign 1422-1461

Date: 1422-30

Origin: Calais mint

Condition: Almost VF, small areas of weakness

Obverse: Crowned facing bust, annulets either side of neck, HENRIC REX ANGL

Reverse: Long cross, three pellets in each quarter with annulets in two quarters, VILLA CALIS

Size and Weight: 15mm, 0.48g

References: Spink 1849, North 1435

Features and Provenance: Henry reigned twice as king of England, from 1422 to 1461 and then again 1470 to 71. He inherited the long running ‘Hundred Years War’ where the rights to the French throne were contested, but he was also a pawn in the battle between the Lancastrians and Yorkists for the throne. He is the only English monarch to be crowned the king of France too, as Henry II, in 1431. He was rather an ineffectual king and by 1453 had lost all French territories except Calais. Suffering constantly with mental health issues, he died in 1471.

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