Edward came to the throne after the death of his father, Henry VIII, at the age of nine. He was the first Protestant English king and introduced wholesale reforms of the official religion including holding services in English using the Book of Common Prayer. Being a minor, his affairs were conducted by a panel of regents drawn from among his family and the aristocracy. He continued the religious reforms begun by his father, and promoted the new religious climate despite considerable opposition.

His reign lasted less than six years and he never reached maturity; the cause of death was tuberculosis which caused difficulty in drawing breath as well as fits of coughing. He nominated his cousin, Lady Jane Grey, as his successor but she was executed after a few days of rule.

Hammered Coin Book and Other References:

S = Coins of England and the United Kingdom
N = English Hammered Coinage by J J North
SI = Sterling Imitations of Edwardian Type by M J Mayhew
WW = Wildwinds.com (reference & attribution site)