Henry VIII AD 1509-1547 Gold Crown of the Double Rose Struck for Katherine of Aragon.

Henry VIII AD 1509-1547 Gold Crown of the Double Rose, 2nd Issue

Crowned rose H K besides / Crowned shield H K besides

mm. Lis

S2274, 25mm, 3.42g

Struck for Katherine of Aragon.

With a conjoined Tudor rose dividing the crowned initials of Henry and Katherine and the motto ‘a dazzling rose without a thorn’ this type expresses both harmony and confidence. It belied a more prickly situation in reality. In 1526, the same year that these Crowns were first struck, the king’s eye had alighted on Anne Boleyn. Henry’s pursuit of Anne and attempts to divorce Katherine would change England for ever.

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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.