Henry VI Quarter-Noble, Calais Mint, mint mark small lis very rare

Henry VI, first reign (1422-61), gold Quarter-Noble, Calais Mint, annulet issue 1422-30, quartered shield, lis above, double linear tressure of eight arcs surrounding, trefoils on cusps, Latin legend and beaded borders surrounding, initial mark small lis both sides, reads + hЄnRIC':. DЄI:. GRΛ:. RЄX:. ΛnGL, rev. lis at centre of ornate cross with small lis terminals, tri-pellets attached to inner compartment, lions in angles, double linear tressure of eight arcs surrounding, Latin legend and beaded borders surrounding, + ЄXΛLTΛBITVR* Ino GLORIΛ, weight 1.71g (cf. Sch. 295-7; N.1420; S.1815). Flan slightly ragged in parts with few soft areas, unusually small Lis employed for the initial mark for the type, also reads DEI rather than the usual DI in legend, very fine, rare die variety.

The Latin legends translate as on the obverse "Henry by the Grace of God, King of England" and on the reverse "He shall be exalted in glory" a Psalm from the bible.

Though this issue is listed in the Standard Catalogue under Henry VI Calais Mint when in combination with small lis mint mark, it is interesting to note the printed view of Lord Stewartby, who in his publication English Coins 1180-1551 assigns this issue to the last phase of Henry V, his type H and for London Tower Mint, page 322.

From a detailed look at Coin Archives Pro only two other examples of the small lis mint mark are apparent as of October 2023 from over 20 years of auction catalogues.