Silver 'gros' of Henry V
Lancastrian, struck between 1413-1422
The obverse legend reads HENRIC.DI.GRA.REX.ANGLIE.Z.FRANC ('Henry, by the Grace of God King of England and France'). The reverse is inscribed in two circles with the innermost reading VILLA CALISIE. This indicates that the coin was struck at the Calais mint which issued coins after the English pattern. The Calais mint seems to have closed for a while after the reign of Edward III (1327-1377) but was revived under Henry V. Calais was used for two reasons; firstly as a political statement, confirming that England ruled this part of France, and secondly to facilitate trade between England and Europe. With the decline of English power in France this so-called Anglo-Gallic coinage also declined.
