Henry VIII base issue Testoon, Bristol, third coinage (1544-47)

Henry VIII (1509-47), debased silver Testoon, Bristol Mint, third coinage (1544-47), facing crowned bust of King in ruff, Latin legend and beaded borders surrounding both sides, cross on crown breaks inner border both sides, no initial mark on obverse, lombardic lettering with slipped trefoil and pellet stops, 'hEnRIC'. 8. D'. G'. AnGL'. FRA'. Z hIB'. REX; rev. crowned Tudor rose, crowned h to left, crowned R to right, initial mark WS cypher, quatrefoil and pellet stops, +WS+CIVITAS+:*:+ BRISTOLIE+, weight 6.66g (N.1843; S.2368). Toned and weakly struck in parts as usual for these base issues, some old scratches in obverse field to left of bust, otherwise good fine to almost very fine and very rare.

The abbreviated Latin legends translate as on the obverse "Henry the Eighth by the Grace of God, King of England and France and Lord of Ireland"; and on the reverse "City of Bristol." The WS cypher are the initials of later disgraced Bristol Mint Master Sir William Sharington.

Struck in the period of debasement of the coinage, when the King took more profit from the coinage to help pay for the upkeep of his armies on the continent and his extravagant taste, earning him the nickname "Old Copper-nose" in direct relation to these Testoon coins as the first place any base metal would show through on these coins was upon the high point of the nose.

Provenance:

Purchased from A H Baldwin and Sons Ltd, Spring 2007.