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The Coinage of Henry VI

The Coinage of Henry VI

During King Henry's reign his coins were struck at the mints in London, Calais and York, with some local issues in York and Durham by the episcopal mints there.

Masters of the Royal Mint in the Tower:

1421-1432 Bartholomew Goldbeter

1435–1446 John Paddesley

1446–1459 Robert Manfield

1459-1461 Sir Richard Tunstall

Calais and York were under the direction of the London mint master, who appointed a deputy to run the local mints for him.

The Coins:

Gold – Noble; Half Noble; Quarter Noble

Angel (1470-71 Readeption); Half Angel

Silver – Groat (= 4 pennies); Half Groat; Penny; Halfpenny; Farthing.

Issues:

The coins at this time bore no date. They were distinguished by various marks.

Those on King Henry's coinage:

mint marks 1 (2)mint marks 2 (2)

Annulet coinage 1422-1427

Rosette-Mascle coinage 1427-1430

Pinecone-Mascle coinage 1430-1434

Leaf-Mascle coinage 1434-1435

Leaf-Trefoil coinage 1435-1438

Trefoil coinage 1438-1443

Trefoil-Pellet coinage 1443-1445

Leaf-Pellet coinage 1445-1454

Cross-Pellet coinage 1454-1460

Lis-Pellet coinage 1454-1460

from J.J. North “English Hammered Coinage vol.2

Inscriptions:

GOLD -- Noble

obv: HENRIC DI GRA REX ANGL Z FRANC DNS HYB

Henry by the Grace of God, King of England and France, Lord of Ireland

rev: IHC AUTEM TRANSIENS PER MEDIUM ILLORR IBAT

But Jesus passing through their midst went His way

Angel (1470/71 restoration coinage)

rev: PER CRUCEM TUAM SALVA NOS XPC REDEMPTOR

By Thy cross save us, Jesus Christ Redeemer

SILVER -- Groat (equalled four pennies)

obv: HENRIC DI GRA REX ANGL Z FRANC

rev: +POSVI DEVM ADIVTOREM MEVM

I have made God my helper

CIVITAS LONDON and VILLA CALAISIE

City of London and Town of Calais