GREAT BRITAIN. Henry VIII Father and Son Premium Exclusive Sovereign and Crown Set (2 Pieces), ND (1544-47) & 1551. Henry VIII & Edward VI. Both NGC Certified.A special set worthy of special consideration, honoring the reign of Henry VIII and his son Edward VI in a single phenomenal set. Housing a Sovereign of Henry VIII and a Crown of Edward VI in a finished wood box, this piece provides an charming parcel of history. The two coins enclosed represent an inflection point of the Tudor Dynasty as Henry VIII attempted to secure a Protestant male heir to the throne. To these ends, the two numismatic pieces are a tangible representatives of not only the British Monarchy, but also of British history more generally. The included coins are:
1) Sovereign, ND (1544-47). Southwark Mint. Henry VIII. NGC EF-40. S-2291; Fr-; N-1825. Weight: 12.18 gms. Ex: Clarendon Collection.
2) Crown, 1551. London (Royal) Mint. Edward VI. NGC EF-45. S-2478; N-1933. Weight: 30.94 gms.
These pieces are quite commendable, with the Crown offering a precise and sharp strike, limited handling, and a deep tone throughout. The Sovereign is likewise well produced, with a complete flan and a good strike showing only the typical weakness. A pair of coins that are seldom seen, and rank high on the scale of desirability for any collector of British hammered pieces.
<em>Henry VIIIs legend has grown to overshadow his rule. Married six times, with numerous infidelities, and his conversion to Anglicanism turning England Protestant have secured his place in history. The son of Henry VII, he succeeded the throne at the age of 17 and as with all previous monarchs, was Catholic at that time. The Protestant Reformation was initiated by Martin Luther during this early portion of his reign in 1517, and soon Protestantism was spreading throughout Europe. Henry found his first wife Catherine of Aragon disinteresting and requested that the Pope annul his marriage to her, a somewhat standard practice for royalty in the days before divorce. Unable to secure annulment, Henry had a new option in Protestantism that was not so stringent about divorce. How sincere Henrys conversion to Protestantism and how much was motivated by other factors has been subject to unending debate. What is clear, is that after Henry got a taste of divorce, he never really stopped marrying and remarrying.</em><em>Henry VIIIs only surviving legitimate son, he was forced to succeed the throne as a boy of 9. Edwards uncle Edward Seymour ruled in the name of his nephew and several military conquests took place during his rule. The English Reformation continued under Edward VI with Edward being raised Protestant. Edwards short reign ended at the age of 15 when he died of illness, meaning he was a king though never an adult. At the end of his life, fearful that his Catholic half-sister Mary would wear the crown, he dictated that his first cousin Lady Jane Grey would rule after him as a well-educated Protestant ruler. Despite this, only 9 days after his death, Mary deposed Lady Jane Grey and she was never coronated. Edwards worst fears of a Catholic monarch were realized in the short but brutal reign of Mary.</em>
