Sovereigns and Sceptres: The Story of Henry VIII
As we approach the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, it seems only fitting to reflect upon the remarkable reign of one of England’s most iconic monarchs - King Henry VIII.
So, who was King Henry VIII and what made his reign so significant? To understand the impact of Henry’s rule, we must first look back to the Tudor period, a time of great transformation and turmoil in England.
When Henry VIII came to power in 1509, the Tudor dynasty was still in its infancy. The young king was just 18 years old and full of energy and ambition. He was determined to strengthen the monarchy and establish himself as a powerful and influential leader. Over the course of his 38-year reign, he succeeded in doing just that, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to fascinate us to this day.
Of course, Henry is perhaps best known for his six wives, the political and religious upheavals of his reign, and his larger-than-life persona. But he was also a patron of the arts, a gifted musician, and a shrewd politician who managed to navigate the complex web of European politics to secure his place on the world stage.
It was during this period of great change that the Tudor sovereign was first minted. The sovereign coin was as much a part of the Tudor legacy as the colonisation of the Americas and the plays of William Shakespeare. It was an emblem of its age and an early sign of the ruthless dynamism that characterised Tudor England. In its original design, the gold sovereign depicted a frontal view of the king on his throne, complete with orb and sceptre, with the royal arms set in the centre of a Tudor rose on the reverse. The Tudor sovereign became a symbol of the power and prestige of the Tudor monarchy, and it was widely circulated throughout England and beyond.
In 2009, to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Henry’s ascension to the throne, Rosland released a limited edition commemorative set of fractional sovereigns that pay homage to the original Tudor sovereign design and the enduring legacy of the Tudor dynasty.
The 22-carat gold coins feature a stunning portrait of King Henry VIII on the reverse that captures his regal presence, while the obverse bears the image of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. And although these coins are still available to purchase, they are no longer being minted, making them a rare and valuable addition to any collection.
Of course, the value of these coins extends far beyond their monetary worth. They are a tangible link to a fascinating period of English history, a time of great change and transformation that saw the birth of the Tudor dynasty and the rise of one of England’s most iconic monarchs. And with this special commemorative coin set, we can celebrate his remarkable reign in a tangible and lasting way.