Henry VI Coin – Silver Penny – Calais 1430-33

Description

Heading: Henry VI Coin – Silver Penny – Calais 1430-33

Denomination: Silver penny

Period: Lancastrian

Date: First reign. 1430-1431

Origin: York mint. Archbishop Kemp

Condition: Almost fine. weak strike. creased

Obverse:  Crowned facing bust. ?mullet or crosses by crown. legend around. initial mark possibly cross fleury

Reverse: Long cross. three pellets in each quarter (no quatrefoil in centre). legend around CIVI TAS EBO RACI (York)

Size and Weight: 0.91g. 18mm

References: Spink 1866 or 1881/82

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 in 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