Coins, Numismatic Books, Tokens and Historical Medals

Ireland, Henry VI (1421-61, 1470-1), Groat, Cork, mm. two rosettes on obv. only, crowned bust facing within tressure, rosettes at neck, lis (?) on breast, [ – ]nric dei gra dns ibernie, rev. cross in double inscription, civitas corcagie, 1.82g/12h (cf. DNW 130, 1178; DF –; S –). Very fine or better for issue, an important coin, unpublished and UNIQUE
£10,000-12,000

Quite where the current coin sits in the chronology of Irish numismatics is uncertain. An Irish coinage was ordered by a Parliament at Drogheda in 1460 but it is generally thought that no coins were struck before the accession of Edward IV to the English throne. It may be that the current coin fits here but the earliest issues of Edward IV are of the very distinctive Crown type and are not based on the English model. Although not from the same source, the current coin die-links with an Edward IV groat of Cork offered in these rooms in May 2015. This issue is traditionally dated to the period after 1465 and is resumed after the brief Restoration of Henry VI, albeit at a lighter weight, c. 1472. The assertion that all groats in the name of Henry are now believed to be struck under Henry VII now looks to be in doubt with the current coin a contender for a previously unknown issue from the brief period October 1470 to April 1471