This coin is part of the Warwick Collection, a fine selection of English Medieval silver coins.

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Edward was the long hoped for son of Henry VIII and his 3rd wife Jane Seymour. The first monarch to be raised a Protestant Edward was only 9 when he succeeded his father in AD 1547. Initially his uncle Edward Seymour Duke of Somerset acted as regent. The early part of Edward’s reign saw much unrest and after 2 years Edward Seymour was replaced as regent by John Dudley Duke of Northumberland. More pragmatic than Edward Seymour he agreed to withdraw troops thereby restoring peace with France and Scotland.
Edward took a keen interest in measures which were taken by the Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cramer to establish the Protestant church as well as those to prevent a Catholic revival.
During the last years of Henry VIII, the currency had become severely debased. Edward’s reign oversaw major reforms to the coinage. These included the introduction of the gold crown and half crown. High quality silver coins were also issued between AD 1551-1553 with the Fine Silver issue. In AD 1551 for the first time the silver crown and half-crowns were dated.

This coin is part of the Warwick Collection, a fine selection of English Medieval silver coins.

Comes with previous label

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To try and secure the Catholic succession Mary married Philip II of Spain in AD 1554. Despite many attempts Mary proved unable to conceive and Philip returned to Spain. The alliance with Spain became increasingly unpopular in England particularly after England and Spain declared war on France. In January AD 1558 England’s last possession in France, Calais was retaken by the French. Mary claimed that when she died Calais would be found engraved on her heart.
In poor health Mary claimed that she was pregnant again early in AD 1558 however this proven to be false and Mary later died aged only 42 in November AD 1558.
Mary’s reign saw the continuation of good quality silver coinage which included a pattern half crown as well as the shilling and sixpence both of which entered circulation.

This coin is part of the Warwick Collection, a fine selection of English Medieval silver coins.

Comes with previous label

 

Elizabeth was one of England’s most famous queens as a result of her victory over the Spanish Armada as well as the exploits of Francis Drake, Walter Rayleigh and Shakespeare.
Elizabeth was the surviving child of Henry VIII and Henry’s second wife Anne Boleyn. Born in AD 1533 and brought up as a Protestant she was declared illegitimate when her mother was beheaded and was thus rarely seen at court. When Mary became queen Elizabeth refused to renounce her faith which put her in considerable danger. For much of Mary’s reign Elizabeth was held in Hatfield House.
Upon the death of Mary Elizabeth was proclaimed queen. Her open and gracious responses quickly endeared her to her subjects particularly when she oversaw a settlement that tolerated both Catholic and Protestant worship. Still unmarried she considered marriage to Robert Dudley however objections were raised and instead a search began to find a more acceptable husband. Despite a number of proposals, including one from Mary’s husband Philip of Spain, she remained unmarried and later became known as the Virgin queen. The lack of an heir became an increasing problem which was later only resolved by the execution of Mary Queen of Scots and the nomination of Mary’s son James VI of Scotland as Elizabeth’s heir.
Elizabeth’s reign saw increasing rivalry with Spain and the establishment of England as a naval power which in turn resulted in the beginnings of empire with the establishment of the East India Company.
Elizabeths reign is interesting numismatically due to the large number of different denominations issued. Her reign also saw the first introduction of milled coinage when silver shillings and sixpences were introduced between AD 1561 and 1570. Despite their high quality these coins were only issued for a few years and were not to re appear again until the reign of Charles I.

This coin is part of the Warwick Collection, a fine selection of English Medieval silver coins.

Comes with previous label

 

Elizabeth was one of England’s most famous queens as a result of her victory over the Spanish Armada as well as the exploits of Francis Drake, Walter Rayleigh and Shakespeare.
Elizabeth was the surviving child of Henry VIII and Henry’s second wife Anne Boleyn. Born in AD 1533 and brought up as a Protestant she was declared illegitimate when her mother was beheaded and was thus rarely seen at court. When Mary became queen Elizabeth refused to renounce her faith which put her in considerable danger. For much of Mary’s reign Elizabeth was held in Hatfield House.
Upon the death of Mary Elizabeth was proclaimed queen. Her open and gracious responses quickly endeared her to her subjects particularly when she oversaw a settlement that tolerated both Catholic and Protestant worship. Still unmarried she considered marriage to Robert Dudley however objections were raised and instead a search began to find a more acceptable husband. Despite a number of proposals, including one from Mary’s husband Philip of Spain, she remained unmarried and later became known as the Virgin queen. The lack of an heir became an increasing problem which was later only resolved by the execution of Mary Queen of Scots and the nomination of Mary’s son James VI of Scotland as Elizabeth’s heir.
Elizabeth’s reign saw increasing rivalry with Spain and the establishment of England as a naval power which in turn resulted in the beginnings of empire with the establishment of the East India Company.
Elizabeths reign is interesting numismatically due to the large number of different denominations issued. Her reign also saw the first introduction of milled coinage when silver shillings and sixpences were introduced between AD 1561 and 1570. Despite their high quality these coins were only issued for a few years and were not to re appear again until the reign of Charles I.

This coin is part of the Warwick Collection, a fine selection of English Medieval silver coins.

Comes with previous labels

 

Henry Tudor was the son of a Lancastrian, Edmund Earl of Richmond, and Margaret Beaufort who was a descendant of John of Gaunt. His father died before he was born whilst his mother Margaret was only 13 at the time of his birth. By AD 1483 Henry was the senior member of the house of Lancaster and was actively being promoted by his mother as an alternative to the Yorkists. Landing in Wales in August AD 1485 the 2 armies met at Bosworth Fields where Richard was defeated and killed.
Claiming the throne Henry was crowned in October AD 1485. The following year he made good on his pledge of marrying Elizabeth of York thereby uniting the Houses of Lancaster and York under the Tudor rose. Although he faced a number of threats Henry effectively established his rule and proved to be an able administrator and was also fiscally prudent. The were a number of reforms to the currency during his reign including the introduction of the magnificent gold sovereign as well as the introduction of the silver testoon and high quality silver profile coinage.
Henry was the last English king to win his throne in battle.

This coin is part of the Warwick Collection, a fine selection of English Medieval silver coins.

Comes with previous labels

 

Henry VIII was the second son of Henry VII and before becoming king had considered an ecclesiastical career. He is largely remembered for his break with Rome, the dissolution of the monasteries and for having 6 wives. He is also remembered for his de basement of the currency which helped finance his wars with France and Scotland. By the time of the 3rd Issue some of the coinage contained so little silver that the copper alloy underneath was revealed. This earnt Henry the nickname Old Coppernose.