Sovereign Rarities Ltd
Auction 2 24 Sep 2019
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The Rarest Type of Gold Halfcrown of the Reign of King James I
James I (1603-25), gold Halfcrown or Eighth Sovereign, struck in 22 carat "crown" gold, first coinage (1603-04), first crowned bust right within beaded circles and legend, initial mark thistle (21st May 1603 to 22nd May 1604) both sides, IACOBVS. D: G: AN: SC: FR: ET. HI; REX., rev. crowned quartered shield of arms, I to left of crown, R to right, .TVEATVR. VNITA DEVS., weight 1.34g (Schneider 5; N.2069; S.2612). Toned, practically extremely fine, a superb example, extremely rare, we can only trace three examples in commerce.
The total output of "crown" gold in this initial coinage of the reign of King James I is a mere £31,609 from 21st May 1603 until 10th November 1604 which is the smallest output for any 18 month period in the reign. The only accounting period that is smaller is one of only four months duration in 1619. The small gold Halfcrown was one of four denominations which was produced from this small amount of gold which covers the first two mint marks of the reign of thistle and lis. Generally speaking the small denominations account for less of the output in quantity of coin compared to the larger denominations and are extremely rare in commerce today. In fact this piece, Schneider's and the Lingford coin cited below are the only ones we can trace as appearing previously for sale.
Looking back to one of the most complete collections of James I coin ever sold at auction, that of Herbert M Lingford in June 1951, an example of this very mint mark of the first gold Halfcrown sold for £52 hammer (lot 879), an amazing result when compared to the mere £44 hammered for an example of the largest denomination, the gold Sovereign (lot 873). The coin herewith comes from the celebrated Lockett Collection of English coins, lot 2070, and in 1956 this coin sold for £85, whereas the two examples of the gold Sovereign sold for £70 and £72 respectively, showing just how rare this denomination really is.
Provenance:
Ex Richard Cyril Lockett, English part II, Glendining, 16th October 1956, lot 2070, sold for £85.
Ex St James Auction 10, 6th November 2008, lot 704.
Ex A H Baldwin, Fixed Price List, Winter 2013, item BH040.
James I (1603-25), gold Halfcrown or Eighth Sovereign, struck in 22 carat "crown" gold, first coinage (1603-04), first crowned bust right within beaded circles and legend, initial mark thistle (21st May 1603 to 22nd May 1604) both sides, IACOBVS. D: G: AN: SC: FR: ET. HI; REX., rev. crowned quartered shield of arms, I to left of crown, R to right, .TVEATVR. VNITA DEVS., weight 1.34g (Schneider 5; N.2069; S.2612). Toned, practically extremely fine, a superb example, extremely rare, we can only trace three examples in commerce.
The total output of "crown" gold in this initial coinage of the reign of King James I is a mere £31,609 from 21st May 1603 until 10th November 1604 which is the smallest output for any 18 month period in the reign. The only accounting period that is smaller is one of only four months duration in 1619. The small gold Halfcrown was one of four denominations which was produced from this small amount of gold which covers the first two mint marks of the reign of thistle and lis. Generally speaking the small denominations account for less of the output in quantity of coin compared to the larger denominations and are extremely rare in commerce today. In fact this piece, Schneider's and the Lingford coin cited below are the only ones we can trace as appearing previously for sale.
Looking back to one of the most complete collections of James I coin ever sold at auction, that of Herbert M Lingford in June 1951, an example of this very mint mark of the first gold Halfcrown sold for £52 hammer (lot 879), an amazing result when compared to the mere £44 hammered for an example of the largest denomination, the gold Sovereign (lot 873). The coin herewith comes from the celebrated Lockett Collection of English coins, lot 2070, and in 1956 this coin sold for £85, whereas the two examples of the gold Sovereign sold for £70 and £72 respectively, showing just how rare this denomination really is.
Provenance:
Ex Richard Cyril Lockett, English part II, Glendining, 16th October 1956, lot 2070, sold for £85.
Ex St James Auction 10, 6th November 2008, lot 704.
Ex A H Baldwin, Fixed Price List, Winter 2013, item BH040.