Henry VIII (1509-47), debased silver Testoon of Twelve Pence, Tower Mint, third coinage (1544-47), facing crowned bust of King in ruff, legend and beaded borders surrounding both sides, cross on crown breaks inner border both sides, initial mark pellet in annulet both sides, lombardic lettering with slipped trefoil stops, hEnRIC; 8; D; G; AGL'. FRA': Z; hIB; REX;, annulet on inner circle under R of REX, rev. crowned Tudor rose, crowned h to left, crowned R to right, POSVI; DEVm; ADIVTORIVm; mEVm; annulet on inner circle under E of MEVM, weight 7.03g (N.1841; S.2366). Usual weak strike with a couple of short flan splits around edge, green tinged tone to reverse, otherwise with a clear lower half to the portrait, very fine for issue.

The silver Testoons of King Henry VIII circulated at a one shilling face value but became more and more debased as the issue progressed earning Henry the nickname “Old Copper-nose” as the first place base metal would show in the alloy from the everyday wear and tear of circulation was on the high point of the portrait on these pieces. Despite this the portrait was of a truly artistic style just like the famous Hans Holbein portrait of him painted earlier than these coins. The engraver of the coin could well have been inspired by and/or produced the likeness of the King from the portrait rather than from life. The original of the Holbein portrait painting was destroyed in the great Palace of Whitehall fire in 1698, but fortunately is well known enough to survive in contemporary copies evident today. The debased silver Testoon is perhaps the only form in which a collector can own an object more or less contemporary with and directly resembling the Holbein artistry of that time.

Provenance:
Ex Lloyd Bennett, Monmouth, purchased September 2005 via Noble Investments plc.