AMERICAN NUMISMATIC ASSOCIATION
Home Join / Renew Contact Us Site Map
Coin Graphic
Advanced Search
Member Login Donate Teacher Tools ANA Clubs
MembershipExplore the World of MoneyNumismatic EventsCommunicationsShop at MoneyMarket
blue_white spacer image
Explore the World of Money
School of Numismatics
Getting Started
FAQs
Tips for Buying/Selling Gold
Research Tools from NGC
Money Museum
Virtual Museum
 Bebee Paper Money
 British Gold Coins
 Vermont Copper Coins
 Lesher Dollars
 State Quarters
 Faces of Money
Library
Money'Musements
Young Numismatists
Scout Page
Internships
Job Board
Current US Coins
Print this page
side_pic
Text size
[+] [-]
Spacer

Edward VI, 1547-1553

Edward VI

Edward VI, the only son of Henry VII, was 9 years old when he succeeded to the throne upon the death of his father in 1547. Because of his young age, Edward's reign was under the protectorship of his uncle, Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset. The boy-king was a frail child, but was given a strenuous education in Latin, Greek and French. He died in 1553 at the age of 15.

Edward's coins show him both as a young boy and as a teenager. In general, his coins were debased from 23 1/2 kts to 22kts. Those struck by the Tower Mint show a barrel (or "tun") as a mintmark, representing the last syllable of the name of the mintmaster, Throgmorton.


The Gold Coins of Edward VI

Edward VI
Edward VI

Half Sovereign value 10 shillings, wt. 85 grains.
2nd Period (1549-1550), uncrowned bust, Tower Mint, VF+

Half Sovereign value 10 shillings, wt. 85 grains.
2nd Period (1549-1550), crowned bust, Tower Mint, EF

Half Sovereign value 10 shillings, wt. 86 grains.
3rd Period (1550-1553), standing right, Tower Mint, VF+
Edward VI as a teenager, just before his death at age 15.

Half Sovereign value 10 shillings, wt. 86 grains.
3rd Period (1550-1553), shield, Tower Mint, VF

Sovereign value 20 shillings, wt. 170 grains.
2nd Period (1549-1550), king enthroned, Tower Mint, VF+

ImageSovereign value 20 shillings, wt. 170 grains.
2nd Period (1549-1550), shield, Tower Mint, AEF
Notice the winged dragon to the right of the shield.

Sovereign value 20 shillings, wt. 174 grains.
3rd Period (1550-1553), standing right, Tower Mint, VF
The translated motto reads: "But Jesus passing through their midst went His way."

Sovereign value 20 shillings, wt. 174 grains.
3rd Period (1550-1553), shield, Tower Mint, VF

Fine Sovereign value 30 shillings, wt. 240 grains.
1551 (one year type), Tudor rose, Tower Mint, AEF
The "fine" sovereign has an ostrich as a mintmark, indicating it was struck at the Tower Mint in 1551. Only about 25 of these sovereigns are known, this being one of the nicest examples.

 Spacer
Spacer