31 / 136
Tyrants of the Thames
80
GOLD SOVEREIGN (1551-1553)
Edward VI, Tudor King, 1547-1553
Tower Mint, London. Third period of 1550-1553. Tun mintmark on each side. Very rare. Two “sov-
ereigns” were minted during this brief reign, the larger “fine sovereign” valued at 30 silver shillings,
and this slightly smaller coin, valued at 20 silver shillings. Each coin represented a massive amount of
wealth at the time, and tended to be seen only at Court or in large commercial exchanges. An entirely
new design had appeared a couple of years earlier (Second Period) and continued on this issue: on the
obverse, a half-length crowned image of the king facing right wearing armor, with a long sword over his
right shoulder and carrying the golden orb in his extended left hand; a large open field surrounded him.
The reverse also offered a new motif never seen previous to this reign: a central, crowned royal shield
“supported” by a crowned lion and a unicorn, with the royal emblem “ER” beneath. Exceptionally well
detailed, including a sharp glimpse of the boy-king’s face, with some luster and choice surfaces. The
legends are crisp and fully contained within the rim. A charming coin from this tragic reign, and one of
the first truly Renaissance coins of England.
S-2450. N-1927. PCGS-graded XF45.
81
SILVER CROWN 1551
Edward VI, Tudor King, 1547-1553
London mint. Third period of 1551-1553, made of fine silver. The first-ever silver crown of 5 shillings,
dated. The young king is depicted in full armor, crowned, and holding a long sword over his right
shoulder, galloping on an armored (“richly caparisoned”) horse to right, with the date in bold digits
under the horse. On reverse, a long cross fourchee over the royal shield. One of the great treasures of
the Tyrant Collection. Boldly struck and deeply detailed, on a broad flan with crisp legends and wide
rims, the surfaces decidedly choice and graced with a splendid old-cabinet toning. Probably the finest
known example.
S-2478. N-1933. PCGS-graded MS62.