Henry VI 1422-1471 AD

So the system and policy, which were the creations of Henry IV and Henry V, led under Henry VI to the ruin of their dynasty. Henry's very virtues added to his difficulties. He was so trusting that any one could influence him, so faithful that he would not give up a minister who had become impossible. Thus even in the middle period he had no real control of the government. In his latter years he was mentally too weak for independent action. At his best he was a " good and gentle creature," but too kindly and generous to rule others. Religious observances and study were his chief occupations. His piety was genuine; simple and pure, he was shocked at any suggestion of impropriety, but his rebuke was only "Fie, for shame! forsooth ye are to blame." (C. L. Kingsford).

Henry VI, first reign (1422-61), gold Noble of six shillings and eight pence, Tower Mint, Annulet Issue (c.1422-30), variety with legend reading HiB spelt with an I not the usual letter Y, King standing in ship with upright sword and quartered shield, annulet by sword arm, lis after King's name, small trefoils stops in abbreviated Latin legend h EnRIC+ DI:. GRA':. REX:. AnGL':. Z:. FRAnC':. DnS:. hIB' rev h at centre, ornate cross with lis terminals, crown over lion in angles, all within beaded and linear tressure of eight arcs, annulet in upper right spandrel, large fleurs in other spandrels, initial mark fleur de lis, annulet stops in abbreviated Latin legend +Ih'C*AVT'o TRAnSIEnSo PERo mEDIVmo ILLORV'o IBAT weight 6.91g. Toned with some light surface marks, good very fine with a pleasing portrait of the King showing his whole face clearly, extremely rare with the hIB spelling for HyB, no example in the famous Schneider Collection.

The abbreviated Latin legends translate as on the obverse "Henry by the Grace of God, King of England and France and Lord of Ireland"; and on the reverse "But Jesus, passing through the midst of them, went His way" taken from the Bible.