A coin that dates to the rule of Richard III and was discovered near the site of the famed Battle of Bosworth Field has seen excellent results as part of a UK auction on December 5.
 The Battle of Bosworth Field ended the 300 year reign of the House of Plantagenet |
The Ancient English and Foreign Coins sale, which was held in London, saw the coin reach £36,000 ($57,999), beating its pre-sale estimate by 140%. One of the most anticipated lots of the auction, it is prized for its outstanding condition.
The Battle of Bosworth Field was the decisive battle of the War of the Roses, which had raged in England for 30 years (1455-1485). The two rival houses of Lancaster and York fought for the throne, with the Battle of Bosworth Field seeing Richard III pitted against Henry Tudor.
Richard III was killed in the battle, leaving Henry Tudor to become the first king of the Tudor dynasty and bringing the Plantagenet dynasty to the end of its 331 year reign.
The battlefield at Bosworth, Leicestershire has been revealing a host of badges, sword mounts, cannonball and other rare coins ever since. However, the gold coin in the present auction is particularly rare, bearing the personal emblem of Richard III.
The coin is in remarkable condition given its age, having survived well over five centuries untouched by weather or human hands. Its pristine state suggests it was struck shortly before the battle took place.
Richard III, whose body is believed to have been recently discovered, was King of England for just two years. His defeat at the battle is often regarded as the end of the Middle Ages in England, with his life immortalised in Shakespeare's eponymous play.
Prior to the sale, the auction house's William Mackay commented: "It is incredible that just as we are having all the publicity about the discovery of Richard III's tomb in Leicester, this coin, which was found so close to where he met his death, should be brought into our offices."
Paul Fraser Collectibles has another spectacular war-time British coin for sale. Our example is an emergency English civil war issue shilling that was struck in the besieged town of Carlisle. See all of our rare coins for sale.
