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Auction: 1009 - Ancient, English & Foreign Coins, Commemorative Medals & Numismatic Books
Lot: 72

Ireland, Edward IV (1461-1483), fourth bust/rose on sun or ´Doubles´ coinage, 1467-1470, Halfgroat, 0.69g, Drogheda, crowned facing bust within tressure, rev. rose at centre of large sun, [...]droghe (DF -; S.-), clipped but with clear mint signature and without doubt this type, an unrecorded denomination for this mint, good fine, extremely rare, possibly unique Estimate £ 2,500-3,500 Both the weight and diameter of the inner circle indicate this coin is a Halfgroat rather than a clipped Groat. The Groats and Halfgroats of the Irish ´Double´ or rose on sun coinage of 1467-1470 were struck at around half the weight of the contemporary English coins of the same denomination. This coin at 0.69g, although clipped, aligns with an expected weight of 0.73g for the Irish Halfgroat of this issue, which is approximately equivalent to the contemporary English Penny struck at 0.77g. (12grs). The inner circle of the Groats of the ´Doubles´ issue measure 16mm. whereas that on this coin is 12 mm. indicating this cannot be a Groat. At this size it matches the known Halfgroats for Dublin and Trim. The ´Doubles´ issue was struck at Dublin, Drogheda and Trim, the coinage comprising Double Groats, Groats, Halfgroats and Pennies. All four denomination have long been included in catalogues for Dublin but the Penny for Trim and the Halfgroat for Drogheda were missing. Given all denominations exist for Dublin it is plausible that Trim and Drogheda also struck all denominations. The emergence of this Halfgroat with a clear Drogheda mint signature suggests this was indeed the case and fills a gap, long suspected, in this coinage. This coin is thought to be unique.

Sold for
£4,200