Richard III Silver Penny Sherwood Durham Mint, 1483-1485

Description

Denomination: Richard III Silver penny – Sherwood – Durham mint

Period: House of York

Date: 1483-1485

Origin: Durham mint, under Archbishop Sherwood

Condition: Fine but clipped; good portrait for type. mint mark (lis) is not discernible but there are vestiges of an S on the breast and a D in the centre of reverse and the beginning of the name is visible..

Obverse: Crowned head facing, S on breast, RIC[ARD DI GRA] REX (or similar)

Reverse: Long cross with three pellets in each quarter, D to centre, [CIVI TAS DVR HAM]

Size and Weight: 13.5mm, 0.8g

References: Spink 2169, North 1687

Features and Provenance:  This has become one of the most sought after coins in history, but sadly Richard’s coins are usually worse for wear, however our specimen is a good example .

What most people know about Richard III derived from the Shakespeare play. His story has come to the fore more recently when his skeletal remains were discovered in a car park in Leicester. UK. the site of his burial at the Greyfriars Church. He has been accused of murdering his two nephews to protect his throne; he was a main player in the ‘War of the Roses’ and he became the last king from the House of York and his demise saw the end the Plantagenet dynasty.

He died at the Battle of Bosworth. at the age of 32. having lost the support of his nobles. Examination of his remains proved that he died from multiple stab and hack wounds and the story tells of his dead naked body being slung over a horse where he received further humiliating blows. By all accounts made at the time he was a a good king when it came to the making of laws. but whether he was guilty of all the other accusations. we may never be fully know. His remains were re-buried in Leicester Cathedral.

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