Philip and Mary AD 1554-1558 Silver Shilling AD 1554

Philip and Mary AD 1554-1558 Silver Shilling

AD 1554

Facing busts with crown above. Full titles/Oval garnished shield

S2500, 30mm, 5.74g

Comes with a previous handwritten label

To try and secure the Catholic succession Mary married Philip II of Spain in AD 1554. Despite many attempts Mary proved unable to conceive and Philip returned to Spain. The alliance with Spain became increasingly unpopular in England particularly after England and Spain declared war on France. In January AD 1558 England’s last possession in France, Calais was retaken by the French. Mary claimed that when she died Calais would be found engraved on her heart.
In poor health Mary claimed that she was pregnant again early in AD 1558 however this proven to be false and Mary later died aged only 42 in November AD 1558.
Mary’s reign saw the continuation of good quality silver coinage which included a pattern half crown as well as the shilling and sixpence both of which entered circulation.