Great Britain. Halfgroat, ND. S.2343. Henry VIII. Second coinage (1526-1544) Halfgroat. Canterbury mint. Archbishop Warham. Obverse; Crowned portrait of king right. Reverse; Tudor shield of arms W and A beside shield. CIVITAS CANTOR around. A pleasingly round coin with a strong portrait of Henry VIII aged around 35 years, without the familiar beard. PCGS graded VF-35. Estimate Value $275 - 325
* This coin was produced at the Canterbury mint under the auspices of Archbishop Warham. Born circa 1450, Warham was an influential office holder under Henry VIII and his father Henry VII. He was educated at Winchester and New College Oxford, and became Master of the Rolls in 1494. Henry VII found him a good diplomat, and he arranged the marriage of Henry's son Arthur to Catherine of Aragon. In 1504 he became Archbishop of Canterbury as well as Lord Chancellor, but he resigned the second post in 1515 and was succeeded by Wolsey. He assisted Henry VIII, but he was one of only a few dignitaries who also dared to challenge him. He died in 1532 and was buried in Canterbury Cathedral.