Philip & Mary (1554 - 1558) – see also the IRISH hammered section

Groat

WTH-9076: Philip and Mary Hammered Silver Tudor Groat in High Grade. Initial mark Lis, 1554-58, Spink 2508. A single portrait, left, of Mary but with the legend PHILIP ET MARIA indicating this coin is 1554-58, after Mary married Philip of Spain. Mary was the only child of Henry VIII (her mother was Catherine of Aragon) to survive to adulthood. Mary quickly and efficiently disposed of Lady Jane Gray – proclaimed Queen when Mary’s younger brother Edward VI, died at age 9 – by beheading her, a process not unfamiliar to her, being the daughter of Henry VIII. Interestingly, all the silver denominations of this joint reign, higher than a groat, had busts of Mary AND Philip but groats and below only had Mary's bust. This may well be a result of lack of space on a smaller flan but bearing in mind the vast majority of the general population at the time would only ever handle these smaller denominations, the crown was perhaps missing a trick in getting out the message to the populace (and coinage was really the only way of doing this) that Philip was here. Or perhaps this was a calculated act on behalf of the crown in an effort not to upset the apply cart?! A terrific example of this usually worn and problematic issue. £795

Provenance:

ex Tim Owen

Pence

WTH-6568: Philip and Mary Hammered Billon Silver Penny. Initial mark halved sun & rose. Very clear legends and above average for this generally poor issue. Spink 2510A. Reported to have been circulated as a halfpenny. £165

Mary (1553 – 1554) Read about Mary

Groat

WTH-8087: Mary Hammered Silver Groat. Issued between 1553 and 1554 only. Initial mark Pomegranate both sides, Spink 2492. Ex Tim Owen. £485

WTH-8161: Mary (Solus) Hammered Tudor Silver Groat. Single issue, crowned bust left, initial mark Pomegranate both sides. 1553-4 only. Tower (London) mint Spink 2492. One of the best examples I've had in terms of detail (these groats where struck with shallow dies on metal that is very different to the issues of Elizabeth 1st, less than ten years hence) although there are obverse scratches indicative of a field-found coin. However, I do need to point out that the camera / powerful daylight bulb combination has emphasised and even exaggerated them compared to what you see with the naked eye. I've added a cheap camera phone image in bright daylight and even that over-eggs the scratches. This is a good coin and one that Tim Owen rated. £435

Provenance:

ex Tim Owen (his ticket)

WTH-9085: Choice Mary (Solus) Hammered Tudor Silver Groat. Single issue, crowned bust left, initial mark Pomegranate both sides. 1553-4 only. Tower (London) mint, Spink 2492. A very good example in terms of detail - these groats where struck with shallow dies with a propensity for wear on metal that is very different to the issues of Elizabeth 1st, less than ten years hence. Mary was the only child of Henry VIII (her mother was Catherine of Aragon) to survive to adulthood. Mary quickly and efficiently disposed of Lady Jane Gray – proclaimed Queen when Mary’s younger brother Edward VI, died at age 9 – by beheading her, a process not unfamiliar to her, being the daughter of Henry VIII!! This issue was immediately prior to Mary's marriage to Philip of Spain in July of 1554. I was offered this exact same issue, probably on a par with coin this in terms of grade, for £1,400 just this month. An exceptional example. £995

WTH-8990: Mary (Solus) Hammered Tudor Silver Groat. Single issue, crowned bust left, initial mark Pomegranate both sides. 1553-4 only. Tower (London) mint, Spink 2492. A very good example in terms of detail - these groats where struck with shallow dies on metal that is very different to the issues of Elizabeth 1st, less than ten years hence. Metal flaw to the Queen's neck with minor stress marks to the reverse shield. A superb example. £665