Henry VIII Posthumous issue Half-Sovereign (1547-53), Tower mint

Henry VIII (1509-47), Posthumous issue (1547-51) under Edward VI (1547-53), gold Half-Sovereign of Ten Shillings struck in 20 carat gold, Tower I Mint, facing crowned robed figure of boy King Edward on ornate throne, rose below, 8 type Latin legend in name of his late Father, with Roman lettering and beaded border surrounding, initial mark fleur de lis, HENRIC; 8.; D; G; AGL; FRA; Z; hIB; REX.:, rev. crowned quartered shield of arms, with lion and dragon supporters, ER on banner below, Latin legend with Gothic lettering and beaded border surrounding, IHS; AVTE; TRANSIENS; PER; MEDIV; ILLOR; IBAT. weight 6.18g (Schneider 647; N.1865; S.2391). Red tinged tone, weakly struck in parts otherwise very fine and 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 "But Jesus, passing through the midst of them, went His way" taken from the Bible.

The debased gold period started at the end of the reign of King Henry VIII with the fineness reduced to 20 carat and this had to continue into the reign of King Edward VI. The young boy King was astute in that he did not want his name at least associated with debasement, so though his portrait appears on this coinage, the name of his Father who was responsible for the low fineness of metal continues prominently.