Whatever you make of him, there’s no denying that Henry VIII is one of British history’s most famous Kings. Known for his multiple marriages, fiery temper, and lavish lifestyle, he had an intriguing personality that still fascinates people more than 450 years after his death. This original Henry VIII gold coin is a tangible piece that will transport its owner and those that view it, back to Tudor times and the era of one of the most famous characters in history.

The Gold Crown of the Double Rose was part of the third coinage issued by Henry VIII, which was introduced in 1544. This coinage was notable for featuring a double rose on its coins, which represented the union of the House of Lancaster (which used a red rose as its symbol) and the House of York (which used a white rose as its symbol) during the Wars of the Roses in the 15th century.

Overall, the Gold Crown of the Double Rose, Third Coinage is a significant piece of British coinage history, representing the reign of one of England's most iconic monarchs and the unification of two powerful houses.

Henry VIII gold Crown of the Double Rose, third coinage (1544-47), Southwark Mint

Obverse - Crowned double rose, crowned H to left and crowned R to right for Henry Rex, beaded circle and Latin legend surrounding, initial mark E both sides, Roman lettering with pellet stops both sides, E HENRIC'. 8. RVTILANS. ROSA. SINE'. SPI'.

Reverse - Crowned quartered shield of arms, crowned H to left and crowned R to right, pellet stops, E. DEI'. GRA'. AGL'. FRANC'. Z HIB'. REX.

Weight 3.01g

Has been slabbed and graded by NGC as VF25 and a very rare issue not present in the Schneider Collection

Has been erroneously labelled by NGC as being from the posthumous period of Henry VIII = S.2398 but to be that issue would have to carry the square lozenge stops whereas this coin has round pellet stops and dates it to the last of the third coinage from Southwark whilst he was still living. The Southwark Mint was granted a commission on 6th September 1545 to coin 22 carat gold which was reduced to 20 carat gold from 1st April 1546 and it would seem only the lower fineness latter period produced physical coin. The accounts that survive put together all the output from the Tower and Southwark mints with the 20 carat issue at some £263,165 worth of gold.