Heritage World Coin Auctions
NYINC Signature Sale 3030 5-6 January 2014
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Great Britain
Edward VI (1547-53) gold Half Sovereign ND, S-2435, North-1908 (rare), uncrowned effigy, 1st Coinage, 2nd Period (January 1549 to April 1550) made of 22 ct gold, Arrow mm (1547-49), AU53 NGC, an exceptionally fine example of this rare type, lustrous and sharply struck on a broad flan showing an usually clear portrait of the boy-king in armor, the surrounding inner and outer circles nearly complete, on reverse the king's shield is sharply detailed over three-quarters of its form, the legend exceptional with an unusually bold EDWARD VI in full crisp letters, the inner beaded circle sharp and complete, the outer circle mostly so, the surfaces choice with mostly ancient abrasions. The color of the gold is a lovely, bright yellow. In a break with long tradition, these coins feature the royal titles on the reverse side, not around the king's portrait, where instead the legend SCVTVM FIDEI PROTEGET EVM (with large rose stops) encircles the young, unwilling monarch's image, translating from Latin to mean "The shield of faith shall protect him." But this poor lad, unready to be king, was controlled by his avaricious, conniving ministers, who had his protection little in mind and much of his power in their own hands, temporarily. Although both well educated and keenly intelligent, Edward's body would never allow him to reach maturity and real power, and these churlish, manipulative men knew it. He lived but 16 years. This charming gold coin, one of his finest issues, of high value in its day, has fortunately survived as mute testament to kingly powers unfulfilled by destiny.
Estimate: 12000-15000 USD
Edward VI (1547-53) gold Half Sovereign ND, S-2435, North-1908 (rare), uncrowned effigy, 1st Coinage, 2nd Period (January 1549 to April 1550) made of 22 ct gold, Arrow mm (1547-49), AU53 NGC, an exceptionally fine example of this rare type, lustrous and sharply struck on a broad flan showing an usually clear portrait of the boy-king in armor, the surrounding inner and outer circles nearly complete, on reverse the king's shield is sharply detailed over three-quarters of its form, the legend exceptional with an unusually bold EDWARD VI in full crisp letters, the inner beaded circle sharp and complete, the outer circle mostly so, the surfaces choice with mostly ancient abrasions. The color of the gold is a lovely, bright yellow. In a break with long tradition, these coins feature the royal titles on the reverse side, not around the king's portrait, where instead the legend SCVTVM FIDEI PROTEGET EVM (with large rose stops) encircles the young, unwilling monarch's image, translating from Latin to mean "The shield of faith shall protect him." But this poor lad, unready to be king, was controlled by his avaricious, conniving ministers, who had his protection little in mind and much of his power in their own hands, temporarily. Although both well educated and keenly intelligent, Edward's body would never allow him to reach maturity and real power, and these churlish, manipulative men knew it. He lived but 16 years. This charming gold coin, one of his finest issues, of high value in its day, has fortunately survived as mute testament to kingly powers unfulfilled by destiny.
Estimate: 12000-15000 USD