Richard III (1483-85). Silver Groat, type I, London Mint facing crowned bust in double tressure of nine arcs, fleur de lis on cusps, beaded circles and Latin legend surrounding, initial mark sun and rose 1 both sides, RICArdx Dix Grax Rexxx Aglx Z FranC, Rev. long cross pattée, tri-pellets in each inner angle, beaded circles and twin concentric legend surrounding, inner legend with unbarred A, CIVI TAS Lon Don, outer legend surrounding, POSVI Devmx A DIVTOR E' mEvm, weight 3.18g (N.1679; S.2154). Toned and fully round, reverse a touch off-centre, with a great portrait, almost Extremely Fine. Estimate Value $5,500 - UP
The abbreviated Latin legends translate as on the obverse, "Richard, by the grace of God, King of England and France." and on the reverse inner legend "City of London" and the outer as "I have made God my helper" a Psalm from the Bible. King Richard III was killed at the Battle of Bosworth Field on the 22nd August 1485 by the Tudors. The body of Richard III was famously discovered and exhumed from a car parking lot in Leicester after some expert detective work of surviving burial records by members of the Ricardian Society. The modern day car park was constructed upon the old burial ground of the Greyfriars Church where Richard III’s body had been hastily buried. Modern D.N.A. analysis and comparison with surviving descendants proved the skeleton found was that of Richard, resulting in a re-interment in Leicester Cathedral at a ceremony on 26th March 2015 presided over by the Archbishop of Canterbury.