Henry VIII Silver Halfgroat, Lis Mint Mark Canterbury Mint 1509-1526

Description

Denomination: Silver halfgroat (2d)

Period: Tudor

Date: 1509-1526. Lis mint mark

Origin: Canterbury mint. first coinage

Condition: Very fine+

Obverse: Crowned head of Henry VII in profile. legend around. hEnRIc DI GRA REX AGL Z FRA

Reverse: Square-topped shield of arms. long cross moline over. W – A (for Archbishop Warham) either side. legend CIVITAS CANTOR

Size and Weight: 1.57g. 21.2mm

References: Sear 2322. North 1767

Features and Provenance: When Henry came to the throne in 1509. the coinage of his father was a reasonable quality and for the first sixteen years of his reign even the portrait was that of his father. This had. itself. been a landmark as being the first true likeness of an English monarch in profile. By the third issue of his silver coins he had debased the content of the silver to such an extent. that it was merely a wash over a copper core. As the highpoints were worn away the base metal showed through. gaining him the epithet ‘Old Coppernose!’ 

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