Henry VIII fine gold Sovereign of Twenty Shillings, VF Details

Henry VIII (1509-47), fine gold Sovereign of twenty shillings, first period (6^th August 1509-22^nd August 1526), first issue of unknown date, crowned robed figure of King sitting facing on throne, holding orb and sceptre, ornate lis throne pillars either side, cross hatch design to throne back, tressure of lis surrounding on inner circle, Latin legend and outer beaded borders surrounding, initial mark crowned portcullis both sides, double saltire stops both sides, hENRICVSxx DEIxx GRACIAxx REX ANGLIExx ETxx FRANCxx DNSxx hIB, rev. quartered shield of arms upon blooming rose, within ten arc double tressure of beaded and linear makeup, lion and lis alternation within each beaded arc, cross either side of each rose leaf in cusps, Latin legend with inner and outer beaded border surrounding, IhESVSxx AVTEMxx TRANSIENSxx PERxx MEDIVMxx ILLORVMxx IBAT, weight 14.75g (Schneider 553; Whitton no.1; N.1759/1; S.2264). With wear and smoothing from once being worn in jewellery, otherwise has been slabbed and graded by NGC as VF details, very rare and with over thirty years of provenance.

NGC Certification 2119526-040.

The abbreviated Latin legends translate as on the obverse "Henry by the Grace of God, King of England and France and Lord of Ireland"; and on the reverse "But Jesus, passing through the midst of them, went His way" taken from the Bible.

The fine gold Sovereign of twenty shillings was first introduced in England in the Renaissance period by King Henry VII from 28^th October 1489 and ran through five different types of design till the end of the reign. The denomination and style continues into the first period of Henry VIII appearing much like type V of Henry VII. The exact date of this first issue in the reign of Henry VIII is not known but it remains a very rare piece of Tudor art.

Provenance:

Ex Spink Coin Auction 81, 19^th November 1990, lot 23.

Ex Spink Numismatic Circular, July 1991, item 4481