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Tyrants of the Thames
64
GOLD ANGEL (1470-1471)
Henry VI, Lancastrian King, Second Reign of Oct. 1470-Apr. 1471
London, Cross pattée mintmark (on reverse). Rare. This denomination, depicting St Michael slaying the
evil dragon, and valued at 80 silver shillings at issue, made its first appearance during the previous reign.
The restoration of King Henry was to be very short lived, and his only gold coins during this Second
Reign were angels. This coin was made shortly before the final fall of the warring Houses of York and
Lancaster: Henry was under extreme stress and finally died imprisoned in the Tower of London, in
May 1471. Richard II’s son Edward again took the throne but died shortly after, leaving the throne to
his brother, who reigned as Richard III. Relatively few coins bearing these names appeared before the
royal lives ended, but the golden Angel would live on as a denomination even if these early pieces were
melted as a source of their metal. A beautiful and superb example of this rarity, struck on a full broad
flan without cracks or edge chips, and having excellent detail in the central images and legends, only
a few letters being softly struck. Surfaces are extraordinarily choice, and the coin is blessed by deep
reddish gold toning.
S-2078. N-1613. PCGS-graded MS64.
65
GOLD ANGEL (1480-1483)
Edward IV, Yorkist King, Second Reign of 1471-1483
London, Heraldic Cinquefoil mintmark. “E” and rose beside ship’s mast. A coin of exquisite beauty,
struck on a broad flan without cracks or chips, tops of some letters in the legends off flan, with a marve-
lously detailed image of St Michael piercing the evil dragon using a long pointed staff (cross at top); on
reverse, the warship is evenly detailed; the surfaces are very choice and glow with satiny luster.
S-2091. N-1626. PCGS-graded MS64.