Henry VIII gold Sovereign, third coinage, Tower Mint, type I, mint mark lis
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1544-1547
This exceptional English gold Sovereign represents the third coinage of King Henry VIII, struck at the Tower Mint circa 1544-1547.The obverse depicts the King facing, seated on an ornate throne, wearing robes and a crown, with a rose situated below.
The throne is flanked by candlesticks, and the royal title legend is rendered in Gothic lettering. The reverse displays the crowned quartered shield of the royal arms, supported by a crowned lion and a dragon, with the royal initials 'HR' in ligature on a banner below. The encircling legend features a Latin inscription. The coin weighs 12.60g and is marked with a 'lis' mint mark on both sides. This particular specimen exhibits signs of historical stress, including vertical edge-to-center cracking and flan splitting, yet maintains clear design details and lettering throughout the strike.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Weight
- 12.60g
- Material
- 23 carat gold
Technical characteristics
- Mint
- Tower Mint
- Type
- type I
- Issue
- third coinage
Design
- Obverse
- Facing crowned robed King on ornate throne, rose below
- Reverse
- Crowned quartered shield with lion and dragon supporters, HR ligatured below
- Mint mark
- lis
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Recorded
- Mint or printer
- Recorded
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.