Baldwin's of St. James's
Auction 50-51 15 Oct 2020
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Elizabeth I, first issue, 'crown gold' coinage, crown, mm. lis (1559-60), wire-line inner circle on reverse only, crowned bust 1E left, ELIZABETH D G ANG FRA Z HIB REGI, rev. crowned shield of arms, ER at sides, SCVTVM FIDEI PROTEGET EAM, pellet stops, wt. 2.69gms. (S.2521; N.1983; Schneider -; Brown & Comber H1, this coin), slight crease, worn in places, otherwise very fine, the second known and possibly the better specimen, the only example available to commerce, of the highest rarity
*ex D Dupree collection, dispersed by Spink from September 1989.
The initial mark lis was the first to be used on the gold coinage of Elizabeth, being replaced during 1560 by the cross-crosslet. This size coin was intended for commerce. By the end of the reign, this first issue had been replaced a number of times, both 'within type' and by subsequent varieties. Craig explained (The Mint, p. 128) the consequence: 'To eliminate badly worn coins, the principle of minimum legal weights was introduced. A proclamation was issued on 12 October 1587 that no one should accept English gold coins that had worn light by more than 4 grains on the 30s. piece, 3 grains on the 20s piece or 1 grain on the 5s piece. . . .' A very rare survivor, this type not represented in the Schneider Collection.
(12000-15000 GBP)
*ex D Dupree collection, dispersed by Spink from September 1989.
The initial mark lis was the first to be used on the gold coinage of Elizabeth, being replaced during 1560 by the cross-crosslet. This size coin was intended for commerce. By the end of the reign, this first issue had been replaced a number of times, both 'within type' and by subsequent varieties. Craig explained (The Mint, p. 128) the consequence: 'To eliminate badly worn coins, the principle of minimum legal weights was introduced. A proclamation was issued on 12 October 1587 that no one should accept English gold coins that had worn light by more than 4 grains on the 30s. piece, 3 grains on the 20s piece or 1 grain on the 5s piece. . . .' A very rare survivor, this type not represented in the Schneider Collection.
(12000-15000 GBP)