Reproduction Henry VI Halfgroat

Obverse: Crowned bust of Henry VI facing, neck flanked by two annulets, within a tressure of nine arcs. Text around HENRIC DI GRA REX ANGL Z FR.

Reverse: Long cross with three pellets in each angle, annulets in two opposing angles. Text around outer POSVI DEVM ADIVTORE MEM. Text around inner VILLA CALISI (the final I overstrikes the S).

History: Henry VI was King of England from 1422 to 1461, his first reign, and again from 1470 to 1471, his second reign. He was the disputed King of France from 1422 to 1453 and is the only English monarch to have been also crowned King of France.

Just before the death of Henry V the mint in Calais, France, was reopened and for some years a large amount of coinage was struck there, before it was closed in 1440. The VILLA CALISI inscription on this coin indicates that it was struck in Calais and it is of the Annulet issue, (small circles) appearing on both sides of the coin, that spanned from 1422 to 1430.

Date: First reign, annulet issue, 1422-7

Diameter: 2cm