Coin, English, groat, excavated at Winchester, Hampshire, issued by Edward IV, at London, 1466 to 1467.

Silver groat of Edward IV

Yorkist, issued 1466-1467

Found during archaeological excavations at Wolvesey Palace, Winchester, Hampshire

Edward IV, having become the first Yorkist king, reigned between 1461-1470 and 1471-1483. In 1470 he was forced to flee the country when Henry VI briefly returned to the throne. Edward IV's first reign inherited the problem of a lack of bullion and a shortage of money. So, in 1464, the weight of all silver coins was reduced by 20 per cent which allowed the production of large quantities of coins. This groat is an example of this 'light coinage'. It was issued in London, the reverse bearing the inscripion in the inner circle CIVITAS LONDON.