Reproduction Edward IV Groat

Obverse: Crowned facing bust of Edward IV, neck flanked by quatrefoils, within a tressure of nine arcs. Text around EDWARD DI GRA REX ANGL Z FRANC.

Reverse: Long cross pattée with triple pellets in each quadrant of inner circle. Double legends with beaded inner and outer circles. Text around outer POSVI DEVM ADIVTORE MEUM. Text around inner CIVITAS LONDON.

History: Edward IV was a central figure in the Wars of the Roses, a series of civil wars fought between the Yorkist and Lancastrian factions between 1455 and 1487. Edward IV was King from 4 March 1461 to 3 October 1470, then again from 11 April 1471 until his death in 1483.

During Edward IV’s first reign, light coinage was introduced in August 1464 in order to increase the supply of bullion to the mint. Royal mints were set up in Bristol, Coventry, Norwich and York to help with the recoinage. The weight of the silver groat was reduced from 60 to 48 grains and there was a great variety of groats. The changes made by introducing the light coinage had the desired effect of attracting bullion to the mint.

Date: Mintmark Rose, London, Light Coinage, 1468-69

Diameter: 2.5cm