1oz Silver Proof - The Great Seals of the Realm - KING HENRY VIII

The last 1,000 years may have been witness to extraordinary political, economic and social changes but Seals of the Realm remain fundamental and as much at the heart of government in the twenty-first century as they were in the eleventh. Their meaning virtually unchanged, impressions taken from them are appended to a variety of official documents to signify royal assent just as it was during the reigns of Edward the Confessor and William the Conqueror.

Only one Great Seal should be in use at any given time therefore during a long reign, the silver matrices eventually wear out; Queen Victoria, for instance, had four different Great Seals during her 63-year reign. When a new Great Seal is prepared, the old one is ceremonially defaced and customarily presented by the monarch to the Lord Chancellor of the day.

Since the passing of The Crown Office Act of 1877, the use of the Great Seal proper has been restricted to documents of the highest importance, such as treaties with foreign governments.

The golden seal of Henry VIII, also known as the golden ‘bulla’, was created to ratify his part in the Treaty of Amiens.

This seal has been remastered using specimens held in The Royal Mint Museum’s collection.

The obverse shows Henry VIII seated upon a Renaissance throne.

Struck in one ounce of 999 fine silver to Proof standard and housed in the original presentation case with a certificate of authenticity.

Embellished with a fully frosted finish.

Limited Edition 2000