Cleveland Museum of Art

Half Sovereign: Edward VI (obverse); Crowned Royal Arms (reverse)

Date: 1549–50
Medium: gold
Culture: England, Edward VI, 1547-1553
Department: Medieval Art
Institution: Cleveland Museum of Art

During the first coinage period, April 1547 to January 1549, debased coinage was still issued. Part of it still had the name and portrait of Henry VIII; part of it the name of Henry, but a youthful portrait; and part of it the name of Edward. The series is thus complex and some of the chronology open to doubt. In 1549, the beginning of the second coinage period, the first step was taken to restore the standard of the coinage. Gold, including the piece shown, was struck in 22 ct. This coin shows the young king uncrowned, the only occasion on which the king's portrait is so shown. Edward VI's short reign as king of England ended in 1553 when he died at the age of 15.

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