Richard III Groat York mint, extremely rare mint

Richard III (1483-85), silver Groat, type III, York 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 on obverse only, RICARDx DIx GRAx REXxx AGLx Z FRAnC, rev. long cross pattee, tri-pellets in each inner angle, beaded circles and twin concentric legend surrounding, inner legend with chevron barred A, CIVI TAS LOn DOn, outer legend surrounding, POSVI DEVmx A DIVTOR E' mEVm, weight 3.10g (Stewartby p.434 - IIIa very rare; N.1681; S.2159). Unevenly hewn in shape, toned with a sooty deposit on both sides at one weak part of rim, one other weak spot in striking on edge, otherwise with a good face and clear Mint reading, a pleasing very fine with good provenance, very rare indeed.

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 York" and the outer as "I have made God my helper" a Psalm from the Bible.

Provenance:

Ex Joseph H Young, Sotheby, 5^th February 1919, lot 148.

Ex Lord Grantley, Glendining, 20^th April 1944, lot 1463b, bought by Seaby.

Ex Gordon V. Doubleday, private transaction at unknown date with his ticket citing the previous two collections (ticket type C.26 in BNJ article 2001 "Coin Tickets in the British Hammered Series").

Ex A H Baldwin, July 1996 with ticket in hand of Michael Sharp citing Young and Grantley collections.

Ex Lord Stewartby Collection, 29^th November 2016, lot 1463.