Henry V Coins

King Henry V History

Henry V was also known as Henry of Monmouth; his nickname was derived by his place of birth – the gatehouse tower of Monmouth Castle in Wales. He was the son of King Henry IV, and Mary de Bohun, making him the great-grandson of King Edward III.

A Lancastrian uprising overthrew Henry’s cousin – Richard II – and placed his father on the throne. When his father died in 1413, he finally became King Henry V, at an approximate age of 26.

His reign was short, and domestically peaceful. Much of his time was spent in France as part of the Hundred Years War. The Battle of Agincourt saw King Henry V successfully defeat French forces.

Henry V coins include the Penny, Halfpenny, and the Groat in silver, with the Noble, and Quarter Noble commonly found for gold currency.

Henry died suddenly in 1422, at the age of just 35. Dysentery was originally believed to be the cause of death, but historians have also pointed to heatstroke. His last day of action saw him riding in full armour in high temperatures. His son, Henry VI, succeeded him to the throne at the age of just nine months old.