Henry VI, first reign (1422-1461). Gold Noble of six shillings and eight pence, Annulet issue (1422-1430), York mint, King standing in ship holding sword and shield, annulet by sword arm, lis at stern and after King's name, h EnRIC'+ DI; GRA; REX: AnGL; Z: FranC; DNS; hYB', Rev. initial mark lis, h at centre, ornate cross with lis terminals, crown over lion in each angle, within beaded and linear tressure of eight arcs, fleurs in spandrels, annulet in upper right spandrel, beaded circle surrounding, annulet stops in legend, +Ih'C* Avto TranSienSo Pero mEDivmo ILLORV'o IBAT, outer beaded border both sides, weight 6.83g (Schneider 302A; N.1416; S.1804; Fr.112). A touch flat in places both sides, but with an excellent depiction of the King, good very fine / very fine and rare. Estimate Value $10,000 - UP
The abbreviated Latin legends translate as on the obverse "Henry by the Grace of God, King of England and France, Lord of Ireland and Aquitaine"; and on the reverse "But Jesus, passing through the midst of them, went His way" taken from the Bible. The York Mint struck gold coins for the first time ever in this reign from 12th August 1423 to 14th August 1424, to a total weight of 2,538 pounds of gold which would have had a face value of circa £42,310. By comparison London Tower Mint issued circa £57,767 in the following 12 month period after York ceased striking gold, but by contrast London issued just over half a million pounds worth of face value gold in this issue.