Depicts King Charles III’s effigy, surrounded by the Latin inscription. Engraver's initials on the neck.

CHARLES III DEI GRATIA REX FIDEI DEFENSOR means King Charles III, by the Grace of God King, Defender of the Faith.

Engraver: Martin Jennings (MJ)

Depicts a finely recreated effigy of King Henry VIII as he appeared on the coins circulated during Henry VIII’s reign. From 1544, testoons showing the full-face of Henry VIII were issued with decreasing content of silver (1/3 silver to 2/3 copper) and they were manufactured with little care. The high abrasion of the coin gave rise to a nickname for the king: "Old Coppernose".

The portrait is surrounded by the inscription "Henry VIII by the Grace of God King of England, France and Ireland".

Henry VIII (1491–1547) was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. Henry was the second Tudor monarch, succeeding his father, Henry VII.

Henry is best known for his six marriages and, in particular, his efforts to have his first marriage, to Catherine of Aragon, annulled. His disagreement with the Pope on the question of such an annulment led Henry to initiate the English Reformation, separating the Church of England from papal authority and appointing himself the Supreme Head of the Church of England.

Domestically, Henry is known for his radical changes to the English Constitution, ushering in the theory of the divine right of kings to England. He greatly expanded royal power during his reign. He achieved many of his political aims through the work of his chief ministers, some of whom were banished or executed when they fell out of his favour. Thomas Wolsey, Thomas More, Thomas Cromwell, Richard Rich, and Thomas Cranmer all figured prominently in Henry's administration. He was an extravagant spender and used the proceeds from the Dissolution of the Monasteries and acts of the Reformation Parliament to convert into royal revenue the money that was formerly paid to Rome. Despite the influx of money from these sources, Henry was continually on the verge of financial ruin due to his personal extravagance as well as his numerous costly continental wars, particularly with Francis I of France and the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V.