| Numismatica Ars Classica > Auction 145 with CNG & NGSA | Auction date: 8 May 2024 |
| Lot number: 1194 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction - Bid on this lot  | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: The Geoffrey Cope Collection of British Coins. Henry VIII. 1509-1547. AR Testoon (31.5mm, 7.67 g, 10h). Third coinage. London mint; im: lis. Struck 1544-1545. (lis) hЄnRIC'· VIII'· DI'· GRΛ'· AGL'· FRA · Z · hIB'· REX (saltire stops), crowned facing bust / (lis) POSVI : DЄVM : ADIVTORIVM : MEVM : : (saltire stops), crowned rose; crowned h R flanking. Jacob O.1/R.1; Whitton A(1), a(ii); North 1841; SCBC 2364 (this coin illustrated). A wonderful portrait piece. Struck with considerable care on a broad flan. Toned. EF. Of the utmost rarity in this matchless state of preservation. Ex Marshall (Spink 167, 31 March 2004), lot 92; Spink Numismatic Circular (July 1942), no. 15406; J.G. Murdoch (Sotheby, Wilkinson, & Hodge, 31 March 1903), lot 443; S. Rostron (Sotheby, Wilkinson, & Hodge, 16 May 1892), lot 119; E.J. Shepherd (Sotheby, Wilkinson, & Hodge, 22 July 1885), lot 218; W. Durrant (S. Leigh Sotheby & Co., 19 April 1847), lot 379; S. Tyssen (Leigh, Sotheby, & Co., 12 April 1802), lot 1707 (part of). On this extraordinary coin we are confronted by one of the most recognisable faces in British history. Working in low relief, the unknown engraver masterfully conveys the forceful presence of the mature Henry VIII who, by 1544, wielded more power than any previous English king. Indeed, as Supreme Governor of the Church of England, he stood second only to God in his realm. Yet, while convincingly representing Henry's overbearing appearance, the portrait also shows a careworn man: by 1544 the king was corpulent and in poor health; at odds over matters of faith with his sixth wife Catherine Parr; frustrated in his attempts to marry his son Edward to the infant Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots; and about to embark on the largest ever invasion of France by an English army. The need for funds to finance this war forced Henry's government to embark on a great manipulation of the currency which resulted in a new silver coinage of reduced fineness. This testoon, a denomination which had not been struck for 40 years, is one of the earliest products of this Great Debasement being struck in a fineness of 9oz 2dwt and distinguished from subsequent issues, which fall to 4oz 2dwt, by the Roman numerals VIII after the king's name. The cabinet formed by the Reverend E. J. Shepherd, sold Sotheby's 22nd July 1885, redefined the possible definition of a top-quality British collection – a type collection, much smaller than hitherto formed but containing the finest and rarest specimens obtainable. The result was rewarded with the sale room realisation of exceptionally high prices. This coin, lot 218, described as 'a remarkably fine specimen of this scarce piece' sold for £32 more than double the purchase cost. Shepherd coins remain among the most the desirable British coins to this day, a lasting testament to his acumen and connoisseurship. Since 1885 this Testoon has been universally regarded as the finest obtainable, excelling every other example in both private and museum collections. Estimate: 40000 CHF |  |
