Pleasing Portrait Bust of the Boy King Edward VI

Edward VI (1547-53), gold Half-Sovereign of Ten Shillings struck in 22 carat gold, second period (January 1549 - April 1550), Tower I Mint, crowned bust right, linear circle and legend surrounding, Roman style lettering with lozenge and sleeve stops, initial mark swan both sides, EDWARD. VI. D'. G'. AGL'. FRA'. Z: HIB. REX, rev. quartered shield of arms in crowned frame, E to left, R to right, linear circle and legend surrounding, rosette stops, SCVTVM* FIDEI* PROTEGET* EVM*, 5.26g (Schneider 674; N.1911; S.2438). Some light hairline scratches in obverse field and light crease, otherwise with a good portrait, good very fine.

The second period of coinage under King Edward VI shows a confident return to the 22-carat standard for a gold Half-Sovereign struck in “crown gold” in the name of the boy King showing a crowned head and shoulder effigy facing right. The mint mark of swan is representative of the activity at the Tower I Mint under Sir Martin Bowes the Under-Treasurer. Along with the mintmark of arrow the swan mark relates to the accounting time period 24th January 1549-18th December 1550. Mint marks arrow and swan account for an output of some £48,246 worth of gold coinage.

Provenance:
Ex A. H. Baldwin, Fixed Price List, Summer 2014, item BH050.