On 5 December 2012, a Richard III coin sold for £36,000 at Spink's Ancient, English & Foreign Coins and Commemorative Medals two day sale in London. The historic gold coin discovered near the site of the famous Battle of Bosworth in Leicestershire, bearing Richard III's personal emblem of the boar.
It is conceivable that the owner of this coin was involved in the events of August 1485 and the battle of Bosworth. Other details on the coin feature St. Michael spearing a dragon and on the reverse, a ship on the waves, with a shield and crucifix above it.
Spink coin specialist William MacKay, said: "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. It's a remarkable find and shows little sign of wear and tear, making this very likely a coin lost at the time of the Battle of Bosworth and Richard III's death."
"There was fierce competition in the saleroom for this exceptional example of an historically important coin from an interesting find location. This is a fantastic result, which shows the demand continues to be strong for top quality, rare English gold coins," MacKay said.
While badges, sword mounts and cannonballs, as well as other coins have been found near the site of the battle before, the discovery of a contemporary gold coin is most unusual. As well as bearing the personal boar's head emblem of Richard III (1483-85), this very rare coin is in pristine condition, with few signs of wear and tear, suggesting it was recently made when lost. The coin, an Angel, dates from circa 1484 and features St. Michael spearing the dragon on reverse and a ship on the waves with a crucifix above a shield on the obverse.
Source: Spink
