Description:
English silver groat, c.1553-1554
Diameter 24mm
The obverse features the diademed bust of Queen Mary I facing left within a central ring. The inscription reads 'MARIA D. G. ANG FRA HIB REGI', Latin abbreviated meaning 'Mary By the Grace of God Queen of England France and Ireland'. The reverse features a shield within a central ring quartered by two crossed sceptres. The sceptres break through the central ring and reach the outer edge of the coin. The shield bears the three lions of England in the second and third quarters and the three fleur-de-lys of France in the first and fourth quarters. The inscription around the outside reads 'VERITAS TEMPORIS FILIA', which is Latin for 'Truth, the Daughter of Time'. This motto was used on English and Irish coins of Mary I.