Edward VI 1551 Halfcrown

Edward VI (1547-53), silver Halfcrown, 1551, Tower Mint, armoured King on horseback right with sword, walking caparisoned horse with plume on head, date below with pellet either side, linear and beaded circles surrounding with Latin legend both sides, initial mark Y both sides, EDWARD'. VI: D'. G'. AGL': FRAn': Z: hIB'. REX. rev. quartered shield of arms over long cross fourchée, .POSVI DEVm: A DIVTOR E; mEV'. Y., weight 15.32g (N.1934; S.2479). Attractively toned, a super example the finest we have ever encountered and a great companion piece to the Slaney Crown recently sold for $120,000 hammer in a Hollywood USA auction, just one slight flan split at bottom of obverse of a mere 2mm depth, otherwise good extremely fine / extremely fine and of the highest rarity so well preserved.

The abbreviated Latin 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 have made God my helper," a Psalm from the Bible.

Often the mint mark y is confused as signifying Southwark Mint of which Sir John York had been Under-Treasurer hence his initial as mint mark. However, Southwark Mint closed in July 1551 before the order for the fine silver coinage. By the time of the fine silver issue Sir John York had been transferred back to the Tower I Mint on the retirement of Sir Martin Bowes and continued the mint mark Y here, the initial letter of his surname.

Provenance:

Ex H. A. Parsons, Glendining, 11^th May 1954, lot 362.

Ex Raymond Carlyon-Britton, collection offered through Seaby Coin and Medal Bulletin, 1958-60.
Ex Glendining, 4^th April 1979, lot 222.

Ex St James Auction 21, 19^th April 2012, lot 153.