Henry VIII Testoon

Henry VIII (1509-47), debased silver Testoon, Tower 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, initial mark pellet in annulet both sides, lombardic lettering with slipped trefoil stops, hEnRIC; 8;: D;. G;. AGL'. FRA': Z; HIB; REX; rev. crowned Tudor rose, crowned h to left, crowned R to right, POSVU; DEVm; ADIVTORIVm; mEVm; weight 6.60g (N.1841; S.2365). Some flan weakness and imperfections around rim, some light scratches on reverse, striking flaw to right of bust, with a pleasing portrait for this issue in the Holbein style, good very fine for issue 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 "I have made God my helper," a Psalm from the Bible.

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:

Ex A H Baldwin Fixed Price List, number 1, Winter 2007, BH037.