Lot 2275
Great Britain. Noble, ND NGC Unc. S.1799; Fr-112. Henry VI, 1422-1461. Annulet issue. Obverse, king standing facing in ship, holding sword and shield. Reverse, floriated cross with lis at ends. A superb coin with an exceptional portrait of the king. All detail is well struck up with handsome surfaces and much original luster. A mint state specimen with great eye appeal. NGC graded Uncirculated, Details (Surface Hairlines).
* This coin was struck at the London mint, in the first few years of the king's reign. Henry VI was King of England from 1422-1461 and then again from 1470-1471. In his first reign the Noble, Half Noble and Quarter Noble were issued, in the second reign the gold Angel and Half Angel were minted.
Henry VI was also the (disputed) King of France 1422-1453, and consequently, gold (and silver) coins were made at the Calais mint as well as the English mints of London and York.
The only child of Henry V, Henry VI succeeded to the English throne at the age of 9 months upon his father's death. He inherited a restless kingdom and a long-running conflict (The Hundred Years' War) with France.
Henry was not suited to the task of governing mediaeval England. Eventually, as the war with France began to fail he experienced a mental breakdown. Civil war broke out in 1460, leading to the prolonged War of the Roses. He lost the throne in 1461 only to be restored in 1470. He died aged 49 on 21st May 1471 after being toppled by Edward IV, and was probably murdered on Edward's instructions. Estimated Value $6,000 - 7,000
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