Description
Edward VI (1547-53), Crown, 1551, Fine Silver issue (1551-3), armoured King on horseback right, date below, wire line and beaded inner linear circles both sides, initial mark y both sides, legend surrounds EDWARD VI DG AGL FRANC Z HIBER REX. Rev, quartered coat of arms over long cross fourchée, POSVI DEVM A DIVTOR E MEV Y, 30.85g (S.2478; N.1933; Lingford dies A-8).
Attractive even dark cabinet tone, some annealing flaws from the initial strike, with a pleasing portrait and detailed profile, the King’s hair noticeably strong. Some fade or softness in the midriff, defined patterns in the horse caparison, legends legible both sides. Raised edge lip at 6 o’clock, a common feature on these crowns. Reverse, clean fields with the odd die break, some fade in the intricacies of the shield emblems. Bold good very fine or better obverse, reverse very fine, scarce.
The 1551 Crown of Edward VI is considered an important coin for two central reasons. It was the first time a Silver Crown of five shillings had been issued, hitherto, Crowns had been struck exclusively in Gold. Secondly, it displayed a turning point for the way in which the date had been displayed; here we see the year in Arabic numerals in a modern form as opposed to in a Roman script or style. Offered only in a small date run between 1551-53, issued in either one of two mintmarks, Tun or Y. Lingford also outlined a plethora of obverse and reverse die combinations for these pieces. [see, Lingford ‘Catalogue of the Important Numismatic Collection formed by the late Herbert M. Lingford – Part I, ‘8 classification of Edward VI Crown Dies.].
