Henry VI coin value guide
Henry VI · 1422–1461 (and 1470–1471) · Noble, Groat & Half-Groat, Penny & smaller, Restoration (Readeption)
Denominations
Noble, Groat & Half-Groat, Penny & smaller, Restoration (Readeption)
Reign
1422–1461 (and 1470–1471)
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
Henry VI came to the throne as an infant and reigned through the disasters of the Hundred Years' War and the start of the Wars of the Roses, with a brief restoration ('readeption') in 1470–71. His coinage is the deepest of the Lancastrian kings, organised into a famous run of named issues — Annulet, Rosette-Mascle, Pinecone-Mascle, Leaf-Mascle, Trefoil, Cross-Pellet and more — struck at London, Calais and York.
Groats of Henry VI are among the most widely collected medieval English silver coins, with the named issues offering an absorbing series to assemble; Calais issues are especially plentiful. The gold noble is the prestige coin, and the brief restoration issues are scarcer. Issue, denomination, mint, grade and provenance set the value.
Noble — value by type
The gold noble (6s 8d), continuing the ship type across the named issues.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Noble (Annulet and later issues) 1422–1461 King in a ship; the Annulet issue (struck at London and Calais) is the most available. | Scarce |
Groat & Half-Groat — value by type
The silver groat (4d) and half-groat (2d), the heart of the named-issue series.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Named issues (Annulet → Cross-Pellet) 1422–1461 Facing crowned bust; Annulet and Rosette-Mascle issues are the most plentiful, others scarcer. | Common to scarce by issue |
Penny & smaller — value by type
The silver penny, halfpenny and farthing across the named issues, including York and Durham.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Penny / Halfpenny / Farthing 1422–1461 Smaller silver coins; issue and mint drive scarcity. | Common to scarce |
Restoration (Readeption) — value by type
Coins of Henry VI's brief restoration in 1470–71, after his recovery of the throne from Edward IV.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Readeption noble & silver 1470–1471 Struck during the few months of his restoration; scarcer than his first-reign coins. | Scarcer — short issue |
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 a Henry VI groat worth?
Groats are among the most widely collected medieval silver coins, with common named issues like Annulet and Rosette-Mascle at the accessible end and scarcer issues, mints and high grade commanding more. Use the valuation tool for a figure based on realised prices for comparable coins.
What are Henry VI's 'named issues'?
They are issue groups identified by small symbols in the design — Annulet, Rosette-Mascle, Pinecone-Mascle, Leaf-Mascle, Trefoil, Cross-Pellet and others — which let collectors place and assemble the coinage in sequence.
What is the Henry VI readeption coinage?
It is the coinage of his brief restoration in 1470–71, after he recovered the throne from Edward IV for a few months. These issues are scarcer than his first-reign coins.