Ancient, Celtic, British, Irish and World Coins, Tokens, and Historical Medals

Edward IV (First reign, 1461-1470), First reign, Light Coinage, Halfgroat, Norwich, mm. sun, reads GRA REX ANGL Z F[––], reverse CIVITAS NORVIC’, quatrefoils by neck, large fleurs on cusps and fleur on breast, 1.41gm (cf. B & W VI [BNJ 1945, p.164]; N 1587; S 2034). Edge chipped and a trifle clipped, otherwise about fine, the legend mostly clear; a very great rarity, believed only the fourth specimen known of this mint (£500-1000)

This interesting piece differs from the two specimens known to Blunt and Whitton, those in the British and Hunterian Museums, in that the symbols by the neck are clearly quatrefoils (as opposed to saltires) and there are fleurs on cusps (the institutional specimens having trefoils). Until very recently the two institutional specimens were the only known Norwich halfgroats of Edward IV; there was no example in Lockett, Delmé-Radcliffe or Norweb and the denomination is not represented in the Norwich Castle Museum collection