Coins, Tokens and Historical Medals

Edward IV (1461-1483), Suns and Roses coinage (c. 1479-83), Dublin, mm. rose, rose and sun by crown, sun and rose by neck, rev. rose in centre, suns and roses in angles, 0.60g/6h (UKDFD 44344; Burns S-3; Mac Conamhna, BNJ 2017, p.119, no. 23, this coin; S 6395-6). Slight edge chip, otherwise about very fine £200-300

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Irish Pennies of Edward IV, Edward V and Richard III from the Collection of O. Mac Conamhna.

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After replacing Grey with FitzGerald as Lord Deputy in summer 1479, Edward IV gave explicit instructions which restricted minting to Dublin once again, specifying the fineness to be that of England and outlining the designs which were to be used on the coinage. Galmole remained in position as mintmaster until 5 October 1479, when Germayn Lynche replaced him. This was to be a transient appointment as from 18 May 1480 James Keyting took office. Mac Conamhna fig. 11, no. 23, Burns S-3, is a common piece given to Galmole/Lynche from summer 1479-May 1480. However, Mac Conamhna reasonably assumes that the scarcer S-2 portrait punch and thus the implementation of the Suns and Roses coinage hails from the short period between the summer and October 1479 in which Galmole had time to work with the instructions issued by Edward IV