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Auction 15006 22-23 September 2015
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Edward III (1327-77), Third 'Florin' coinage, first period, 27 January - July 1344, Half-florin or Helm, 1.75g, partially-draped helm surmounted by a cap of maintenance and crowned lion left, dispersed fleur-de-lis in field, bordered by a wire-line inner circle, edwr' r' angl' z franc' d' hib', annulet before legend, annulet stops and none, rev. +exaltabitvr in gloria, double-annulet stops, floriate cross with quatrefoil and pellet at centre, all within wire-line inner circle (Doubleday:- Schneider:- Stewartby p.196; N.1107; S.1478), a field find with resulting scuffs, portion of peripheral flan beneath helm formerly displaced and now skilfully placed back in situ, perforations and metal stress still evident in this area, whereas the piece now appearing full and well-rounded, a carefully and centrally-struck example with a very neat style, the all-important obverse devices in good relief, generally good very fine, excessively rare and a piece of national importance. Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer's Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.
provenance:
Found Colyton, Devon, April 2015
Recorded with the British Museum, ref. FASAM-638757
In 'English Coins 1180-1551' (2009) Lord Stewartby comments on Edward III's Florin gold as being; '...among the most attractive of any in the whole of English coinage.'. This experimental issue was conceived and executed during the 'high summer' of gothic art. The coinage was a worthy medium for conveying this artistic vibrancy and the skills innately required in its production. Using continental gold issues for inspiration and utilising aspects of Edward's III's own great seal the designs are imbued with Edward's desire to stake his claim to the French throne. Here we see the first instance whereby the French royal title is assumed on the obverse of a British coin. Surrounding the helm and dappling the fields are fleur-de-lis, an allusion to Edward's French lineage through his mother, Isabella of France. It was here at the outset of the Hundred Years War in the context of disputed lines of succession and with King Edward's claim to the French crown that the rest of British late medieval history was to be shaped. This new specimen of the Florin coinage Helm, one of just two examples available to private collections now raises the known specimens to five. A highly important piece for which production lasted just six months between January and July 1344 and for which a parallel has not since been seen in the British coinage.
(£30,000 - £40,000)
provenance:
Found Colyton, Devon, April 2015
Recorded with the British Museum, ref. FASAM-638757
In 'English Coins 1180-1551' (2009) Lord Stewartby comments on Edward III's Florin gold as being; '...among the most attractive of any in the whole of English coinage.'. This experimental issue was conceived and executed during the 'high summer' of gothic art. The coinage was a worthy medium for conveying this artistic vibrancy and the skills innately required in its production. Using continental gold issues for inspiration and utilising aspects of Edward's III's own great seal the designs are imbued with Edward's desire to stake his claim to the French throne. Here we see the first instance whereby the French royal title is assumed on the obverse of a British coin. Surrounding the helm and dappling the fields are fleur-de-lis, an allusion to Edward's French lineage through his mother, Isabella of France. It was here at the outset of the Hundred Years War in the context of disputed lines of succession and with King Edward's claim to the French crown that the rest of British late medieval history was to be shaped. This new specimen of the Florin coinage Helm, one of just two examples available to private collections now raises the known specimens to five. A highly important piece for which production lasted just six months between January and July 1344 and for which a parallel has not since been seen in the British coinage.
(£30,000 - £40,000)