Edward VI gold Halfcrown, 2nd period, Tower I Mint, mm arrow

Edward VI (1547-53), gold Halfcrown, Tower I Mint, second period (1549-50), crowned bust right, linear circle and legend surrounding, initial mark arrow on obverse only, square stops both sides, doubled as colons on reverse, EDWARD. VI. D. G. AG. FR. Z HI. REX, rev.struck en medaille, crowned oval garnished shield, SCVTVM: FIDEI: PROTE: EVM,weight 1.28g (Schneider 679; Potter, p.135, type 2(a); N.1916; S.2444).Short hairline striking crack in legend only in two opposing places, weakly struck on obverse and at corresponding parts on reverse, otherwise a bold fine and extremely rare, most surviving examples have similar splits and weaknesses.

The Latin legends translate as "Edward the Sixth by the grace of God, King of England, France and Ireland." And on the reverse as "The shield of faith shall protect him".

The second period of coinage under King Edward VI shows a confident return to the 22-carat standard for a gold Half-Sovereign struck in "crown gold" in the name of the boy King showing a crowned head and shoulder effigy facing right. The mint mark of arrow is representative of the activity at the Tower I Mint under Sir Martin Bowes the Under-Treasurer. Along with the mintmark of swan, the arrow mark relates to the accounting time period 24^th January 1549-18^th December 1550. Mint marks arrow and swan account for an output of some £48,246 worth of gold coinage.

Provenance:

Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Auction 126, 28^th May 2024, lot 1218.