Henry VIII Coin – Silver Halfgroat – York 1531-1544

Description

Header: Henry VIII Coin, Silver Halfgroat, Second Coinage, 1531-1544

Denomination: Silver halfgroat, second coinage

Period: Tudor

Date: 1531-1544

Origin: York mint

Condition: AVF, some light scratching on both faces

Obverse: Younger crowned bust in three quarter profile, Key initial mark, HENRIC VIII D G R AGL Z F

Reverse: Long cross over quartered shield of arms, E to left L to right (Archbishop Lee’s initials) legend around CIVI TAS EBO RACI

Size and Weight: 17mm, 1.23g

References: Spink 2348, North 1807

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