ENGLAND – HENRY VII (1485–1509) – SILVER HALFGROAT – CANTERBURY MINT – TUDOR DYNASTY

Kingdom: England

Ruler: Henry VII (AD 1485–1509)

Dynasty: House of Tudor

Mint: Canterbury

Ecclesiastical Authority: Archbishop John Morton

Denomination: Halfgroat (2 Pence)

Date: AD 1485–1509

Metal: Silver (AR)

Weight: 1.23 g

Diameter: 18 mm

Reference: Spink (SCBC) 2207–2211

Condition: About Very Fine (aVF)

Obverse

Crowned facing bust of King Henry VII within a decorative tressure of arches. The king is depicted wearing a prominent royal crown, surrounded by a partially legible Latin inscription.

Reverse

Long cross fourchée extending through the inner circle, with three pellets in each quarter. Canterbury mint inscription and surrounding Latin legend.

Historical Background

Henry VII (1457–1509), the founder of the Tudor dynasty, became King of England following his victory over Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. His accession marked the end of the Plantagenet dynasty and a decisive turning point in the Wars of the Roses.

During his reign, Henry VII restored political stability, strengthened royal finances and established the foundations of Tudor England.

This silver halfgroat was struck at Canterbury under the ecclesiastical authority of Archbishop John Morton (1486–1500), an influential statesman and close adviser to the king.

Condition and Remarks

Attractive medieval hammered silver halfgroat featuring a clearly recognizable crowned portrait of Henry VII, a well-defined tressure and a prominent long cross on the reverse.

Moderate circulation wear, areas of striking weakness and minor surface irregularities consistent with its age and traditional hammered manufacture. The principal design elements remain clearly identifiable.

An appealing example of early Tudor silver coinage, representing the beginning of one of England’s most historically significant royal dynasties.

The coin pictured is the exact specimen offered for sale.