Edward VI 1549 Shilling, 2nd period, 2nd issue, Durham House, mm bow, ex Dr Carter (1950), Carlyon-Britton, Norweb and Schneider

Edward VI (1547-53),debased silver Shilling, Second Issue of 6oz 2dwt standard, 1549, Durham house mint omitting date, initial mark bow, bust type 2, taller crowned bust right, frosted caul to crown, with notch below rear collar, within linear circle, legend with date surrounding with quatrefoil stops, initial mark bow both sides, EDWARD⁹+ VI+ D+ G+ ANGL+ FRA+ Z+ HIB+ REX. ᗡ,rev.oval quartered shield of arms on frame with plain garniture, E to left, R to right, R breaks inner circle, linear circles and legend surrounding, INIMICOS+ EIUS+ INDVAM+ CONFVSIONE+ᗡ, weight 4.76g (Bispham 5E; RCB 132; N.1924; S.2472).Toned, good fine / very fine and rare, with a good provenance.

The legends translate as on the obverse "Edward the Sixth by the grace of God, King of England, France and Ireland," and on the reverse "I will clothe his enemies with shame."

No records survive from the Durham House Mint which was based near the Strand in present day Durham House Street and only struck coinage from January to December of 1549 under control of Under Treasurer Sir Martin Bowes - hence the mint mark as a rebus. The reverse legend is also distinct as a reading only used on Durham House mint coinage for this denomination.

For the Bispham variations please refer to "The Base Silver Shillings of Edward VI" by Joe Bispham in the British Numismatic Journal, volume 55, 1985 pages 134-143 where there are five obverses and six reverses recorded for Durham House mint.

For RCB reference see serialised article by Raymond Carlyon-Britton in the Spink Numismatic Circular of 1950, specifically March issue, page 131 where this variation is listed in the table as 132.

Provenance:

Ex Dr E. C. Carter, collection sold to A. H. Baldwin in 1950.

Ex Raymond Carlyon-Britton Collection, sold through Seaby from 1959.

Ex Spink & Son Ltd, sold to Mrs Norweb in 1959.

Ex Mrs E. M. Norweb, part 2, Spink Coin Auction 48, 13^th November 1985, lot 346.

Ex Dr Irving Schneider, part 3, lot 1254.