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Sale 59
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Lot 3042
Great Britain. Noble, ND. S-1658; N-1304. 7.81 grams. Richard II, 1377-1399. London Mint. Henry IV Style-Coinage, with Aquitaine title. King stands facing in ship, bearing sword and shield, trefoil over sail. Reverse: Royal cross in tressure. Cross pattee mintmark (style of Edward III's Cross 4). An incredibly choice piece, lustrous with a crisp strike and a full flan, and remarkably with the king's face fully detailed! The finest Richard II noble this cataloguer has seen in nearly 30 years, and a coin of historical value as well as exceptional eye-appeal. NGC graded MS-64.
The son of Edward, Prince of Wales, "the Black Prince," and Joan, the "Fair Maid of Kent," Richard was but ten years old when he came to the throne upon the death of his grandfather, Edward III. During his minority, rule of England was effected by a council under the leadership of his uncle, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. After the Black Death had coursed through England from 1348-1350, killing a huge percentage of the population, economic hardship followed, as it did throughout most of Europe. England saw wages and prices rapidly increase. Parliament further worsened matters by enacting wage limits, but absurdly failing to control prices. Thus into the fourth year of Henry's reign England was racked by the peasant revolts led by Wat Tyler, to protest the suffering caused by John of Gaunt's oppressive economic policies.
Another legacy of his uncle John would prove even more devastating to Richard: his lavish patronage of favorites was causing some consternation in government circles. A group of nobles sought to counter this by having some of these privileged few tried and convicted of treason. Richard retaliated, causing the death of three and the exile of two. One of the exiles was his cousin, Henry of Bollingbroke, son of John of Gaunt. Henry would eventually maneuver to have himself declared king while Richard was absent from the country. The deposed Richard was soon captured and imprisoned in 1399. The following year, while still in prison, he would be murdered in the prison -- becoming the first casualty in the War of the Roses between the Houses of Lancaster and York.
Estimated Value $10,000 - 12,000.
Purchased originally in 1993, as a recent find coin. Ex Dr Jacob Y. Terner Collection (by private treaty to the Millennia Collection). Ex Millennia, Lot 277.
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