Crown of the Rose

A Crown of the Rose is an extremely rare gold coin of the Kingdom of England introduced in 1526 during the reign of Henry VIII, in an attempt to compete with the French écu au soleil. The coin was not a success and just a few months later it was replaced by the Crown of the Double-Rose.

The Crown of the Rose coin was valued at four shillings and sixpence (4s. 6d.), weighed 3.5 grams and had a gold content of 23 ct. It was only struck for a few months. Due to its very short circulation, there are currently only three known specimens.

Crown of the Rose #1, discovered in or just prior to 1907, is in the museum of the American Numismatic Society in New York. Provenance - J. Sandford Saltus; president of both the New York Numismatic Club and British Numismatic Society.

Crown of the Rose #2 is in the British Museum.It is described as having been acquired in 1920. This coin was previously drilled to be used as a necklace medallion

Crown of the Rose #3, same type as above, was reported sold to Spink of London in 1961 for £4,000 and was brought "from a man in Northumberland who had a collection of silver and gold coins, not thinking there was much of value in them". Spink's example is no doubt the one appearing in their catalogue (#2272), and looks to be the finest of the three - superbly struck and with very little wear.

Obverse

Depicts a crowned shield with the arms of England and France. Legend: HENRIC 8 DEI GRA REX AGL Z FRAC, meaning "Henry VIII, by the Grace of God King of England and France."

Reverse

Depicts a large rose with two crowned letters "h" and two lions. Legend of two varieties: HENRIC RUTILANS ROSA SINE SPINA meaning "Henry, a dazzling rose without a thorn" and DNS HIB RUTILANS ROSA SINE SPINA meaning "Lord of Ireland, a dazzling rose without a thorn."