GREAT BRITAIN. 1/2 Sovereign, ND (1551-53). London Mint; mm: tun. Edward VI. PCGS EF-45.
S-2451; Fr-187; N-1928. Third period, crown gold issue. Obverse: Crowned and armored half-length bust right, holding sword and orb; Reverse: Coat-of-arms; crown above; E-R across field. Quite elegant and pleasing for the type, presenting only honest wear and a well centered strike on a flan without problems. Undoubtedly worthy of a strong bid from the advanced collector of medieval gold.
Henry VIII’s only surviving legitimate son, he was forced to succeed the throne as a boy of 9. Edward’s uncle Edward Seymour ruled in the name of his nephew and several military conquests took place during his rule. The English Reformation continued under Edward VI with Edward being raised Protestant. Edward’s short reign ended at the age of 15 when he died of illness, meaning he was a king though never an adult. At the end of his life, fearful that his Catholic half-sister Mary would wear the crown, he dictated that his first cousin Lady Jane Grey would rule after him as a well-educated Protestant ruler. Despite this, only 9 days after his death, Mary deposed Lady Jane Grey and she was never coronated. Edward’s worst fears of a Catholic monarch were realized in the short but brutal reign of Mary. To view all items from the Paul C. Runze Collection, click
here.From the Paul C. Runze Collection (purchased from Davisson's).
Estimate: $4000 - $8000