Edward IV coin value guide
Edward IV · 1461–1470 and 1471–1483 · Ryal (Rose-Noble), Angel, Groat & Half-Groat, Penny & smaller
Denominations
Ryal (Rose-Noble), Angel, Groat & Half-Groat, Penny & smaller
Reign
1461–1470 and 1471–1483
What a coin is worth depends on its exact type, mint, grade and provenance — the type tables and value factors below explain what drives each one.
About these coins
Edward IV, first Yorkist king, reshaped English gold. When the value of the noble had risen awkwardly, he introduced the gold ryal (or rose-noble) at ten shillings and the gold angel at six shillings and eightpence, and reduced the weight of the silver penny in the recoinage of 1464–65. His reign falls into two periods on either side of Henry VI's brief restoration.
The angel — showing St Michael slaying the dragon — became a long-lived and admired English coin; the ryal is a handsome larger gold piece. Silver groats are widely collected and attributed by mint mark and period; provincial mints (Bristol, Coventry, Norwich, York) add interest. Period, denomination, mint, grade and provenance set the value.
Ryal (Rose-Noble) — value by type
The gold ryal or rose-noble, valued at ten shillings — a larger gold coin showing the king in a ship with a rose on the hull.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Ryal from 1464–65 King in a ship with a rose; a handsome higher-value gold coin. | Scarce |
Angel — value by type
The gold angel (6s 8d), showing St Michael slaying the dragon — introduced under Edward IV and destined to become a long-lived English coin.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Angel from 1465 St Michael and the dragon; ship with rose and sun on the reverse. | Scarce |
Groat & Half-Groat — value by type
The silver groat (4d) and half-groat (2d), reformed in weight in 1464–65 and struck at London and provincial mints.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Groat / Half-Groat 1461–1483 Facing crowned bust; attributed by mint mark and period, with several provincial mints. | Widely collected |
Penny & smaller — value by type
The silver penny, halfpenny and farthing, including ecclesiastical issues of York, Durham and Canterbury.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Penny / Halfpenny / Farthing 1461–1483 Smaller silver coins; mint and period drive scarcity. | Common to scarce |
What drives the value
Type & rarity
Within a single reign, common types in collectable grade sit far below the scarce and rare types. Identifying the exact type is the first step in any valuation.
Mint & moneyer
Coins of rare mints, or with sought-after moneyer or privy-mark signatures, carry a clear premium over the common major-mint issues.
Grade & surfaces
A full, sharp strike with a clear portrait or design and legible legends commands the most. Weak striking, chips, cracks and corrosion all reduce value.
Provenance
A pedigree to a named cabinet or a recorded hoard adds both value and confidence in authenticity, especially for scarcer and higher-grade pieces.
Frequently asked questions
How much is an Edward IV coin worth?
Silver groats are widely collected and accessible, with scarcer mints and high grade commanding more, while the gold angel and ryal sit well above. Period, denomination, mint and grade set the level — use the valuation tool for a figure based on realised prices for comparable coins.
What new coins did Edward IV introduce?
The gold ryal (rose-noble) at ten shillings and the gold angel at 6s 8d, alongside a reduction in the weight of the silver penny in the 1464–65 recoinage.
What is a gold angel?
A gold coin introduced under Edward IV showing St Michael slaying the dragon, valued at 6s 8d. It proved popular and was struck by English monarchs for nearly two centuries.