Henry VIII coin value guide
Henry VIII · 1509–1547 · Sovereign & Angel, George-Noble & Crown, Testoon & Groat, Penny & smaller
Denominations
Sovereign & Angel, George-Noble & Crown, Testoon & Groat, Penny & smaller
Reign
1509–1547
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 VIII's coinage spans three distinct coinages and the notorious 'Great Debasement' of his later years, when the silver content was repeatedly cut to fund war. He struck a rich gold series — sovereign, angel, George-noble, crown and half-crown — and silver from the testoon (shilling) down to the penny. The debased later testoons, on which the thin silver wore to show the copper beneath the king's nose, earned him the nickname 'Old Copper Nose'.
First and second coinage coins retain good silver and are popular; the debased third-coinage pieces are historically fascinating and very collectable in their own right. The gold George-noble and the crowns are scarce and prized. Coinage, denomination, mint, grade and provenance set the value.
Sovereign & Angel — value by type
The gold sovereign (enthroned king) and angel (St Michael), continued and restyled across the three coinages.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Sovereign / Angel / Half-Sovereign 1509–1547 The prestige gold of the reign; later issues show a more mature portrait. | Scarce to rare |
George-Noble & Crown — value by type
The gold George-noble (St George and the dragon) and the gold crown and half-crown of the double rose.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
George-Noble / Crown / Half-Crown 1526–1547 The George-noble showing St George is a particularly prized rarity. | George-noble rare; crowns scarce |
Testoon & Groat — value by type
The silver testoon (shilling) and groat (4d), including the debased 'Old Copper Nose' later testoons.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Testoon (incl. debased) 1544–1547 Facing portrait shilling; the debased silver often wears to show copper, hence 'Old Copper Nose'. | Collectable — quality varies |
Groat / Half-Groat 1509–1547 Profile and later facing busts across the three coinages. | Common to scarce |
Penny & smaller — value by type
The silver penny, halfpenny and farthing, including sovereign-type pennies and ecclesiastical issues.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Penny / Halfpenny / Farthing 1509–1547 Smaller silver coins; coinage and mint 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 a Henry VIII coin worth?
Good-silver first and second coinage coins and the debased later testoons are all very collectable at different levels, while the gold George-noble and crowns are scarce and prized. Coinage, denomination, mint and grade set the figure — use the valuation tool for an estimate based on realised prices for comparable coins.
Why is Henry VIII called 'Old Copper Nose'?
During the Great Debasement his later testoons (shillings) were struck in heavily debased silver over a copper core. The thin silver wore first on the highest point — the king's nose — exposing the copper, hence the nickname.
What is the Great Debasement?
It was the deliberate reduction of the silver and gold content of the coinage in Henry VIII's later years to raise money for war — producing the famous debased testoons and groats.