Edward VI Half-Sovereign, Second period, initial mark Y, Southwark Mint

Edward VI (1547-53), gold Half-Sovereign of Ten Shillings struck in 22 carat gold, second period (January 1549 - April 1550), Southwark Mint, bare head bust right, beaded circles and legend surrounding, Roman style lettering with rosette stops, initial mark Y both sides, transposed legends with rosette stops, Y SCVTVM* FIDEI* PROTEGET* EVM*.:, rev. quartered shield of arms in crowned frame, E to left, R to right, beaded circles and legend surrounding, lozenge stops, Y: EDWARD9: VI: D'. G'. AGL'. FRA'. Z: HIB'. REX., weight 5.00g (Schneider 686; Hill H160; N.1908; S.2435). Once cleaned, now with some light toning, some light creases, a decent portrait of the boy King, about very fine.

The legends on this coin are transposed, a curious "error" that occurs on some gold coins in this short reign. The obverse legend as shown which should be the reverse legend translates as "The shield of faith shall protect him" with the other side translating as the usual Royal titles "Edward VI by the grace of God, King of England, France and Ireland."

The second period of coinage under King Edward VI shows a confident return to the 22-carat standard for a gold Half-Sovereign struck in "crown gold" in the name of the boy King showing a bare head and shoulder effigy facing right. The mint mark of Y is representative of the activity at the Southwark Mint under Sir John Yorke the Under-Treasurer from 24^th January 1549 until 18^th December 1550. The total output of gold at Southwark in this specific period is recorded as £28,594 worth which also includes mint mark lis.

Provenance:

Ex A. H. Baldwin, Fixed Price List, Summer 2013, item BH030.