Edward VI gold Crown, 2nd period, 2nd issue, Southwark, mm Y, XF45, ex Beresford-Jones and Carrington collections

Edward VI (1547-53), gold Crown of Five Shillings, second period (January 1549 - April 1550), Southwark Mint, crowned bust right, Latin legend with linear and beaded borders surrounding both sides, initial mark Y with double lozenge stops both sides, .EDVVARD; VI: D: G: AGL: FRA: Z. HIB: REX. rev. crowned garnished quartered shield, E to left, R to right, .SCVTVM: FIDEI: PROTÉGÉT: EVM:, weight 2.64g (Schneider 688; N.1914; S.2442). Struck on a broad flan with a light crease, has been slabbed and graded by NGC as XF45, very rare, just over ten examples known.

NGC Certification 8536700-003 with "Beresford-Jones" provenance upon Carrington Collection label on black core.

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 "The shield of faith shall protect him."

These gold Crowns were struck in 22 carat gold in the second period of coinage at the Southwark Mint which had closed by August 1551. The mint mark Y is indicative of the Under-Treasurer Sir John York and the second period was covered by two indentures which had the same conditions for the gold coinage, the first dated 24^th January 1549 and the second on the 12^th April 1549. The other mint mark that occurs at Southwark is the lis and both marks contributed to a total gold output at Southwark of £28,594 of gold coins across four denominations. This output was just over half that of the main Tower I output.

Provenance:

Ex R. Duncan Beresford-Jones, Spink Coin Auction 29, 2^nd June 1983, lot 49 sold for £1,300 hammer.

Ex Carrington Collection 610.