Henry VIII gold Halfcrown

Henry VIII (1509-47), gold Halfcrown of the Double Rose, second coinage, Tower Mint, issued at Thirty Pence in 22 carat gold, second coinage (1526-44), crowned double rose, h to left for Henry, K to right for Queen Katharine of Aragon, circle and Latin legend surrounding, initial mark rose (issued November 1526-1529), legend transposed with usual reverse legend, RVTILAnSxx ROSAxx SInEx SPInA, rev. crowned quartered shield of arms, hENRIC'xx 8xx DIxx G'xx R'xx AGL'xZx FRA' weight 1.90g (Schneider 600; North 1794; S.2285). Well struck, fully round, about extremely fine and a most pleasing and presentable example.

The Latin legends translate as on the obverse "a dazzling rose without a thorn" in reference to Henry; and on the reverse "Henry 8^th By the Grace of God, King of England and France".

This Halfcrown of the Double Rose is interesting in that it carries the initial of the Queen rather than a crowned R for Rex. Katherine of Aragon (1485-1536) was married first to Henry's older brother Arthur as Princess of Wales for only 5 months in 1502 when Arthur pre-deceased his Father King Henry VII. In 1507 Katherine became the first female Ambassador in Europe as Ambassadress to the Aragonese Crown in England. Katherine married the newly crowned Henry VIII in 1509 but could only issue with him a daughter Mary Tudor. The King had their marriage annulled in 1533 and Katherine died aged 50 at Kimbolton Castle in January 1536.