A rare ‘half groat’ or two-penny piece minted during the reign of Henry VII is likely the oldest English coin found in Canada, experts reveal.
This year’s stunning silver coin was discovered by archaeologists at the former English colony of Newfoundland in Canada.
It’s ‘likely the oldest English coin to ever be found in Canada, and possibly all of North America’, says the Government of Newfoundland.
The ‘major find’ was minted in Canterbury, England more than 520 years ago, sometime between the years of 1493 and 1499.
Henry VII, the first monarch of the House of Tudor, reigned England from August 1485 to April 1509.
Both sides of the half groat, or two-penny piece, minted in Canterbury, England sometime between 1493 and 1499 and discovered at the Cupids Cove Plantation Provincial Historic Site in 2021
The coin was found by a team at Cupids Cove Plantation Provincial Historic Site, an active archaeological dig site at the modern-day town of Cupids, and the location of a former English colony.
It was likely transported across the Atlantic to the colony at some point after the colony’s establishment in 1610, before being lost.
‘Some artefacts are important for what they tell us about a site, while others are important because they spark the imagination,’ said William Gilbert head archaeologist at Cupids Cove Plantation Provincial Historic Site. ‘This coin is definitely one of the latter.
‘One can’t help but wonder at the journey it made, and how many hands it must have passed through from the time it was minted in Canterbury until it was lost in Cupids sometime early in the 17th century.
‘This is a major find and I am proud of my team for all their hard work. We look forward to the next great discovery.’
Gilbert discovered the historical site in 1995, which was established by English merchant adventurer John Guy in 1610, during the reign of James I, the first Stuart king.
Guy, a Bristolian, had visited Newfoundland in 1608 to select a possible location for a colony, before being granted a charter to proceed with the colonisation of Newfoundland in 1610.
CupidsCove Plantation Provincial Historical Site was the site where the coins were found. It is an active archaeological dig site in the town of Cupids.
Government of Newfoundland: “Research is ongoing on the coin. In time for 2022’s tourist season, it is likely that the coin will be on display at Cupids Cove Plantation Provincial Historic Site.
Henry VII ruled England between 1485 and 1509. The National Portrait Gallery has the oldest known portrait of Henry VII. According to the inscription, it was executed on October 29th 1505 at Herman Rinck’s request. Rinck is an agent of Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I. This portrait is most likely part of a failed marriage proposal. Henry wanted to marry Maximillian.
Government of Newfoundland indicated that the research for the coin continues, however it is expected to be displayed at Cupids Cove Plantation Provincial Historic Site next spring.
According to National Trust for Canada (although this assertion is being disputed by others), Cupids was the first permanent English settlement of Canada.
‘The historical significance of the Cupids Cove Plantation Provincial Historic Site has long been known and its value to the local tourism industry is proven,’ said Steve Crocker, Government of Newfoundland Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation.
“It’s amazing that this coin was struck in England but lost in Cupids 100 years later. It connects the tale of the first European exploration in this province with the start of English settlement.
Paul Berry is the former curator of Canada’s Currency museum. He can help you determine the exact location and the time it was made.
Cupids Cove Plantation Provincial Historic Site, an archaeological dig site in Cupids’ modern city of Cupids. It is also the former location of an English colony.
On the same spot, in 2001 was discovered an Elizabethan currency, dating from 1560-1561. It was the first ever Canadian English coin found at the time.
This newly discovered coin is about 60 years older and would have been in circulation for at least 111 years before it was lost at Cupids, Government of Newfoundland says.
These 111 years include the reign of Henry VII (1499) as well as the establishment year (1610).
CUPIDS PLANTATION PROVINCIAL SITE
John Guy, a Bristol merchant and explorer arrived in Conception Bay (now Cupers Cove) on August 16, 2010. He was accompanied by a few settlers.
It was Canada’s first English settlement.
Settlements cleared land and fished for mineral resources. They also tried fur trading with Newfoundlanders, the Indigenous People of Newfoundland, to get fur.
A Newfoundland commemorative postage stamp from 1910 depicting John Guy, born on Christmas Day 1568 in Bristol, England
Guy was a Bristolian who had traveled to Newfoundland 1608 in order to choose a location for a colony.
In 1609, the Privy Council granted Guy’s petition and James I gave a charter to Earl of Northampton in 1609. Guy and other colonists could then proceed.
Guy was appointed governor of the colony and assumed absolute control.
Archaeologists at the site discover more every summer about the plantation, and its inhabitants.
Source: Government of Newfoundland