Lot 2053
Great Britain. Noble, Nd. S.1799; Fr-112. Henry VI, First reign, 1422-1461. Annulet issue. Obverse: King stands in ship facing, bearing sword and shield, annulet by base of sword arm. Reverse Floriated cross with lis at ends, h in center, annulet in first spandrel. A fully round coin well made and with a remarkably clear portrait. NGC graded MS-62.
* Henry VI was the son of Henry V. He succeeded to the English throne on the death of his father in August 1422 at the tender age of 9 months old. His mother, Catherine of Valois, the daughter of King Charles VI of France, was only aged 20. She was viewed with extreme suspicion, and was excluded from significant influence over the young king's upbringing. England was effectively ruled by a regency council until Henry came of age. He assumed royal power in 1442, but, as an indecisive yet deeply spiritual man, he showed little appetite for war. As a result of his successes in the Hundred Years War, Henry V had left his son considerable territories in France, but Henry VI yearned for peace with France and was persuaded that one way to achieve this objective was to marry Charles VII's niece, Margaret of Anjou. The marriage took place in 1445 and Margaret soon proved a tougher and more adept leader than her husband.
The annulet issue gold coins of Henry VI were struck early in the reign (in the 1420's) but after 1426 the supply of gold began to dwindle and gold coins made after this date are especially rare. By 1450 Henry had lost most of the French territory won by his forbears, and he was faced by squabbling and disaffection among the leading nobles at home. By 1453 Henry suffered a severe mental breakdown, and the rest of his life was marked by an inability to cop with the responsibility thrust upon him at birth. In many ways he was simply a puppet for the stronger characters around him. He was deposed and imprisoned in 1461, but later (in 1470) was again installed as King. He was murdered in 1471.
Estimated Value $4,000 - 5,000.
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| Realized $5,060 |
