Calais penny of Henry VIII

Guy Stanford asked if I could identify this hammered silver coin for him. He said it measured 10mm in diameter and it was unearthed in East Yorkshire.

Firstly, the coin has characteristics that mark it out as a penny so it must be close to 18mm in diameter. When sending in details of finds please ensure that the information you give is correct.

On the obverse the legend reads hEnnRICVS REX AnGLIE. There is an annulet either side of the king’s shoulders so this is a Calais die of the annulet coinage of Henry VI. It is unusual in having the double letter n in the king’s name.

On the reverse the legend reads VIL LA CAL IS with a double saltire stop after LA and a rosette after IS. Therefore, this is a Calais die of the rosette mascle coinage.

The preceding information adds up to this penny being a mule of an annulet coinage obverse combined with a rosette mascle reverse. As such it is very rare. The reverse has been struck off centre but the coin is otherwise in VF condition.

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