Henry VIII (1509-1547). Gold Quarter-Angel of two shillings, third coinage (1544-47), St Michael slaying dragon right, St Michael wearing tunic, initial mark lis both sides, Latin legend and beaded border surrounding, slipped trefoil stops both sides, hENRICVS.: VIII.: DI.: GRA.: AGLIE.:, Rev. ship sailing right, quartered shield of arms upon hull, cross above, h to left, rose to right, Latin legend and beaded border surrounding, FRANCIE.: ET.: hIBERNIE.: REX.:, Roman Ns in legend, weight 1.31g (Schneider 629; N.1832; S.2304; Fr.170). Toned, a couple of darker patches on reverse, weak in parts of design otherwise very fine and rare. Estimate Value $3,250 - UP
Purchased privately from Spink and Son Ltd during 1992.
The abbreviated Latin legends should be taken as one sentence across both sides as "Henry the Eighth by the Grace of God, King of England, France and Ireland." The Quarter-Angel was first officially introduced as a denomination by the public indenture of 28th May 1544 which officially marked the start of the third period of coinage of King Henry VIII, when debasement took full swing, and the gold coins were reduced to 23 carat for the fine pieces (0.958 fine). However, a secret indenture of 16th May 1542 had already allowed for a majority of minting activity in gold and silver at the new lower standards including the Quarter-Angel, with many coins prepared and already stockpiled in the Tower in readiness for the later public indenture of debasement. In fact £15,595 worth of gold and £52,927 of silver had been stockpiled by March of 1544 all whilst at the same time minting activity occured at the usual fineness from the public indenture of the second issue unchanged since 1533. The stock pile was released for use from 28th May 1544 when the public indenture at the lower fineness took effect and all the coinage activity was at the debased level. The Quarter-Angel was issued only for a very short time as minting of it had ceased by the end of March 1545.