St. James's Auctions
Auction 35 9 February 2016
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BRITISH COINS, Elizabeth I, milled coinage, sixpence, mm. star, 1562, bust D, large broad bust l., wearing elaborate dress, small rose behind, rev. long cross fourchée over shield of arms, shield not tapered (S.2596; N.2027; B&B.27-01/27-R1), usual die flaw at 5 o'clock on obverse, extremely fine with even light tone, an exceptionally even and well struck specimen
It has never been properly explained why Elizabeth I allowed a rather dubious Frenchman, Eloye Mestrelle, to come to the Tower Mint at the height of her own frenetic re-coinage in 1560/1561 to set up heavy and cumbersome, slow machinery to produce experimental coins. Mestrelle had been released from the Paris Mint under a cloud (quite probably forgery) and Elizabeth allowed him free rein to produce some rather handsome coins. Each coin took a long time to produce by his process but it could be that Elizabeth was interested in this innovative, new-fangled mechanical method..
By 1562 he was in full (albeit rather slow) production and this sixpence is a handsome piece, distinguished by an extraneous piece of metal in the die, visible at 5 o'clock on the obverse. Most specimens of this scarce issue have had some crude attempt to remove the flaw which detracts from its interest and numismatic value. It is testimony to the previous owners that they have not tampered with such a fine coin, thus making it very rare and desirable.
Estimate: £600-700
It has never been properly explained why Elizabeth I allowed a rather dubious Frenchman, Eloye Mestrelle, to come to the Tower Mint at the height of her own frenetic re-coinage in 1560/1561 to set up heavy and cumbersome, slow machinery to produce experimental coins. Mestrelle had been released from the Paris Mint under a cloud (quite probably forgery) and Elizabeth allowed him free rein to produce some rather handsome coins. Each coin took a long time to produce by his process but it could be that Elizabeth was interested in this innovative, new-fangled mechanical method..
By 1562 he was in full (albeit rather slow) production and this sixpence is a handsome piece, distinguished by an extraneous piece of metal in the die, visible at 5 o'clock on the obverse. Most specimens of this scarce issue have had some crude attempt to remove the flaw which detracts from its interest and numismatic value. It is testimony to the previous owners that they have not tampered with such a fine coin, thus making it very rare and desirable.
Estimate: £600-700