Sovereign Rarities Ltd
Auction 2 24 Sep 2019
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Commonwealth (1649-60), gold Crown of Five Shillings, 1650, 50 struck over 49, English shield within laurel and palm branch, legends in English language, initial mark sun, THE. COMMONWEALTH. OF. ENGLAND., the left limb of last A overlapping L, rev. English and Irish shields, value .V. above, beaded circle and legend surrounding, date at top, GOD. WITH. VS., weight 2.30g (cf.Schneider 358; N.2719; S.3212). Attractively toned, well struck, one light crease, almost extremely fine and very rare.
This is the smallest gold coin of the Commonwealth, and this example demonstrates the alteration of the date to 1650 utilising an old 1649 die. All Commonwealth period hammered English coins have legends in plain English. It is interesting that at the start of the Commonwealth a new indenture had to be drawn up as Sir Robert Harley the master-worker refused to be involved with this coinage. A pyx trial was held at Harley's expense and a new indenture drawn up with Dr Aaron Guerdain MD which also allowed for fine gold denominations from the Sovereign down, as well as the 22 carat crown gold like we see with the Unites, Double Crowns and Crowns like we have offered herewith. It is thought that fine gold denominations were never struck!
Provenance:
Ex St James Auction 2, 11th May 2005, lot 144.
This is the smallest gold coin of the Commonwealth, and this example demonstrates the alteration of the date to 1650 utilising an old 1649 die. All Commonwealth period hammered English coins have legends in plain English. It is interesting that at the start of the Commonwealth a new indenture had to be drawn up as Sir Robert Harley the master-worker refused to be involved with this coinage. A pyx trial was held at Harley's expense and a new indenture drawn up with Dr Aaron Guerdain MD which also allowed for fine gold denominations from the Sovereign down, as well as the 22 carat crown gold like we see with the Unites, Double Crowns and Crowns like we have offered herewith. It is thought that fine gold denominations were never struck!
Provenance:
Ex St James Auction 2, 11th May 2005, lot 144.