Mary I 'Bloody Mary' coin value guide
Mary I · 1553–1554 · Sovereign, Ryal & Angel, Groat & smaller
Denominations
Sovereign, Ryal & Angel, Groat & smaller
Reign
1553–1554
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
Mary I struck coins in her own name during the brief period before her marriage to Philip of Spain in 1554. Her sole-reign coinage includes fine gold — the sovereign, ryal and angel — and silver groats, half-groats and pennies. After the marriage, the silver shilling and sixpence were struck with the joint busts of Philip and Mary (covered in a separate guide).
Mary's gold is scarce and handsome; her silver groats are the most collected of her sole-reign coins and reward good portraits. The reign is short, so all her coins are less common than those of the long Tudor reigns. Denomination, grade, mint mark and provenance set the value.
Sovereign, Ryal & Angel — value by type
Fine gold — the sovereign (thirty shillings), ryal and angel — struck in Mary's name.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Sovereign / Ryal / Angel 1553–1554 Handsome fine gold; the sovereign and ryal in particular are prized. | Scarce to rare |
Groat & smaller — value by type
The silver groat (4d), half-groat and penny of the sole reign.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Groat / Half-Groat / Penny 1553–1554 Profile bust groat; the most collected of Mary's sole-reign silver. | 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 Mary I coin worth?
Her silver groats are the most collected of the sole-reign coins, with the fine gold sovereign, ryal and angel sitting well above. The short reign makes all her coins less common — use the valuation tool for a figure based on realised prices for comparable coins.
What is the difference between Mary I and Philip & Mary coins?
Coins in Mary's name alone date from before her 1554 marriage. After the marriage, shillings and sixpences were struck with the joint busts of Philip and Mary — a separate coinage.