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Sale 114
Lot 511
Henry VIII (1509-47), debased Silver Testoon of Twelve Pence, Tower Mint, third coinage (1544-47). Facing crowned bust of King in ruff, legend and beaded borders surrounding, cross on crown breaks inner border both sides, initial mark lis, lombardic lettering with slipped trefoil stops, hEnRIC'x VIII'x DEI'x GRA'x AGL'x FRA'x Zx HIB'x REX, rev. crowned Tudor rose, crowned h to left, crowned R to right, legend with Roman style lettering and beaded borders surrounding, double slipped trefoil stops, initial mark lis with terminal mark lis, +Posvixx Devmxx ADIVTOrivmxx Mevmxx+, weight 7.43g (Stewartby type A, page 525; N.1841; S.2364). Toned, well centred and exceptionally well struck for this earlier issue of the Testoon, unusual reverse die with the two lis mint marks, great detail on the Tudor rose, but especially on the "Holbein style" bust, almost extremely fine and extremely rare this well preserved. Value $15,000 - UP
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 for his extravagant taste and spending, earning him the nickname "Old Copper-nose" in direct relation to these Testoon coins, as the first place any base metal would show through was upon the high point of the nose. The coin offered herewith seems to be one of the earlier issues with a better silver content than the latter pieces, demonstrating the VIII Roman numerals legend and the lis mint mark which appears twice on the reverse side.
For further reading see "The coinages of Henry VIII and Edward VI in Henry's Name" by C. A. Whitton in the British Numismatic Journal volume 26, 1949.
The abbreviated Latin legends translate as on the obverse "Henry the Eighth by the Grace of God, King of England, France and Ireland"; and on the reverse "I have made God my helper."
Ex. 4th Earl of Pomfret (d.1833), coin collection sold privately post mortem to London dealer Harry Osborn Cureton.
Ex. James Gibbs (d.1886), collection purchased by Spink and Son Ltd before 1891.
Ex. Adam Black Richardson, Sotheby, 22nd May 1895, lot 119, sold for £5/10/-.
Ex. John Gloag Murdoch, first portion, Sotheby, 31st March 1903, lot 444, sold for £12.
Ex. Frederick George Hilton-Price, Sotheby, 17-19th May 1909, lot 96.
Ex. Roger Shuttlewood, Spink Coin Auction 151, 15th March 2001, lot 155.
This coin also illustrated in Antiques Trade Gazette, Coins and Medals column by Richard Falkiner, 21st April 2001.
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| Realized $30,000 |
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