Edward VI 1552 AR Irish Shilling

Obv: (harp) EDWARD VI DEI GRA ANGL FRA Z HIB REX (some letters 
ligate), crowned young bust right
Rev: (harp) : TIMOR : DOMINI : FONS : VITAE M : D : LII (=1552), 
arms in garnished shield

A shilling of Edward VI, issued in his own name and dated 1552. 
Minted in England specifically for use in Ireland. The 1552 Irish 
coins all have a harp mintmark on both sides whereas there is 
no harp mintmark on any 1551 coins or any other dates (1549/1550).

In 1559, during the reign of Elizabeth I in 1559 the examples 
still in circulation were countermarked with a portcullis or a greyhound. Some Irish examples probably returned to England in 
trade between 1552 and 1559. 

These Irish shillings are rarer than their catalogue values 
indicate and because they are heavily debased silver they are 
prone to disfiguiring corrosion and are seldom found in better 
than fair condition.

References: Spink 6494 (Spink's 'Coins of Scotland, Ireland & The Islands' 2003 edition)); D&F 213

Contributed by Andy Muller, British metal detectorist,
January 2010.