YORK (Restored). Edward IV or V. 1483. AR Groat (23mm, 2.69 g, 1h). Tower (London) mint; im: halved sun & rose. (halved sun & rose) ЄDWΛRD’· DI’· GRΛ’· RЄX ΛnGL’· 7 FRΛnC (saltire stops), crowned facing bust within tressure of arches with trefoils at cusps / (halved sun & rose) POSVI DЄVm · A DIVTOR Є’· mЄVm/ CIVI TAS LOn DOn (saltire stops), long cross pattée; triple pellets in quarters. Stewart, “The Dies of Edward V’s Silver Coins” in
BNJ L (1980), obv. die A; Lessen, “The Groats of Edward V” in
BNJ 53 (1983), obv. die 9; MEG p. 46; North 1631 (Edward IV); SCBC 2146A. Slightly short of flan. Toned. Good VF. Rare.
Ex M. Rasmussen FPL 4 (Spring 2003); no. 97; Superior (11 December 1992), lot 1407; ex David Dupree collection.
Edward V's brief reign lasted from 9 April, when his father Edward IV died, to 26 June 1483, when he was deposed by his uncle, Richard III. The halved sun and rose mint mark was the last used for Edward IV, and continued into the reign of his successor Edward V. The 12-year old Edward and his younger brother, Richard, became the famous lost "Princes of the Tower" whose fate has never been firmly established, although they were most likely murdered on their uncle's orders.
