Medals Database: Henry VI - British Medals from the Time Period

Medals from the Edward VI Period

British and Irish Historical Medallic Illustrations (12 October 1537 – 6 July 1553)

The medals, medalets or counters compiled in this article belong to the time period coinciding with the reign of Edward VI (12 October 1537 – 6 July 1553). The illustrations are made from historical public domain sources and their information checked against the book “The Medallic Illustrations of the History of Great Britain and Ireland“, which commenced in 1904. Please use the contact form linked on the footer to request high-definition images for non-commercial projects.

Edward VI - Coronation I

Year: 1547.
Material: Struck in gold and silver.
Description: This is the first coronation medal. It was created in England, although it imitates the Latin, hebrew, and Greek inscriptions of the Henry VIII medal on his supremacy of the Church. The date is inscripted in the old style.

Edward VI - Coronation II

Year: 1547.
Material: Struck in silver.
Description: This medal is similar to the previous, but has a different portrait of the King and different inscriptions in the obverse and reverse.

Edward VI - Coronation III

Year: 1547.
Material: Struck in silver.
Description: This medal was probably a counter or medalet struck at the time of the King’s coronation. The obverse die was later used for a half-sovereign pattern.

Edward VI - Coronation IV

Year: 1547.
Material: Struck in gold.
Description: This medal is also a counter or medalet and the obverse was also later used for the pattern a half-sovereign.

Edward VI - Coronation V

Year: 1547.
Material: Struck in gold.
Description: These patterns then used for half-sovereigns were also executed at the time of the coronation. The obverse and the reverse have their legends interchanged. There are at least two varieties of each piece with slightly different legends.

Edward VI - Portrait

Year: 1547.
Material: Struck in lead.
Description: This is a unique contemporary cast that was created around the time of the King’s coronation. It was possible executed for a silver medallion, possibly at the center of a dish or plate.

Edward VI - Coronation VI

Year: 1549.
Material: Struck in silver-gilt.
Description: This piece was contemporary to the King’s coronation, but was not issued until two years later – in his 12th year. It was possibly fastened to a locket or was part of a plate.

Cession of Boulogne, 1550

Year: 1550.
Material: Struck in silver.
Description: The medal represents Henry II as Perseus flying to the rescue of Andromeda. Henry II fruitlessly tried to seize the town after it had been agreed to restore it to France for 2,000,000 crown. In 1550, the town was surrended for 400,000 crown.

Irish Counter, 1553?

Year: 1553?
Material: Struck in silver.
Description: This counter was probably intended for public use in Ireland. The three crown are the arms of that country as seen on the Irish money of the time of Edward IV, Richard III, and Henry VII.