Richard III Groat

Richard III (1483-85), silver Groat, type III, London Mint facing crowned bust in double tressure of nine arcs, fleur de lis on cusps, beaded circles and Latin legend surrounding, initial mark sun and rose 2 both sides, RICARDx DIx GRAx REX AnGLx Z FRAn, rev. long cross pattee, tri-pellets in each inner angle, beaded circles and twin concentric legend surrounding, CIVI TAS LOn DOn, outer legend surrounding, POSVI DEVmx A DIVTOR E' mEVm, weight 3.07g (N.1679; S.2157). Toned, a little weak in one part of legend and to lower right of head, with a good facial portrait, good very fine, with a great provenance stretching back 300 years.

Provenance:

Ex Archbishop Sharp Collection, part II, Morton and Eden, 7th December 2017, lot 146.

Archbishop John Sharp (1644-1714), the Archbishop of York from 1691 till 1714 collected coins and medals commencing circa 1687 when Rector of St Giles in the Fields, London. His "observations on the English Coinage" written to Ralph Thoresby in 1698-99 were still circulating in manuscript form nearly 90 years later when finally published in 1785.

The Collection passed down the Sharp family with part I sold at Sotheby in 1977.

The abbreviated Latin legends translate as on the obverse, "Richard, by the grace of God, King of England and France." and on the reverse inner legend "City of London" and the outer as "I have made God our helper" a Psalm from the Bible.