The New York Sale
Auction LIII 14 Jan 2021
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James I (1603-25), Gold Sovereign of twenty shillings, first coinage (1603-04). Struck in crown gold of 22 carat fineness, second crowned armoured half-length figure of King right, holding orb and sceptre, Latin legend and beaded borders surrounding, initial mark lis (23rd May to 10th November 1604) both sides, IACOBVS. D; G; ANG; SCO; FRAN; ET. HIB; REX., rev. crowned quartered shield of arms, I to left and R to right, Latin legend and beaded borders surrounding, EXVRGAT. DEVS. DISSIPENTVR. INIMICI., weight 11.09g (Schneider 2; N.2066; S.2609). Lightly toned, with a well-defined portrait, has been graded and slabbed by NGC as AU58, very rare. Estimated Value $40,000
NGC Certification 5880656-019. We note that this is currently the only example of the second bust Sovereign graded at both services and that it is also the finest of all the James I Sovereign thus far graded, therefore top of the entire population. The first indenture for coinage in the reign is dated 21st May 1603 and allows for a "crown" gold 22 carat Sovereign of twenty shillings, the only fine gold being the Angel and its fractions. The short-lived first issue features a legend mentioning England and Scotland separately, which only occurs in the first coinage of this King before he styles himself King of Great Britain from the second coinage onwards. The second bust mint mark lis coinage is a short-lived issue within this coinage only being issued for four and a half months, but alas there is no breakdown of output between the first mint mark of thistle and that of the lis. What we do know is only £31,609 of crown gold was made for all crown gold denominations across the first coinage which is only a small amount when compared with other later outputs in the other coinages. The abbreviated obverse legend translates as "James, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland" with the reverse as "Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered.".
Ex James O'Byrne, Christies, 18th June 1963, lot 39.
Ex David Dupree Collection, purchased privately by Spink 1989.
Ex Thos. Law, Stacks Bowers Ponterio, 13th August 2013, lot 126.
NGC Certification 5880656-019. We note that this is currently the only example of the second bust Sovereign graded at both services and that it is also the finest of all the James I Sovereign thus far graded, therefore top of the entire population. The first indenture for coinage in the reign is dated 21st May 1603 and allows for a "crown" gold 22 carat Sovereign of twenty shillings, the only fine gold being the Angel and its fractions. The short-lived first issue features a legend mentioning England and Scotland separately, which only occurs in the first coinage of this King before he styles himself King of Great Britain from the second coinage onwards. The second bust mint mark lis coinage is a short-lived issue within this coinage only being issued for four and a half months, but alas there is no breakdown of output between the first mint mark of thistle and that of the lis. What we do know is only £31,609 of crown gold was made for all crown gold denominations across the first coinage which is only a small amount when compared with other later outputs in the other coinages. The abbreviated obverse legend translates as "James, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland" with the reverse as "Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered.".
Ex James O'Byrne, Christies, 18th June 1963, lot 39.
Ex David Dupree Collection, purchased privately by Spink 1989.
Ex Thos. Law, Stacks Bowers Ponterio, 13th August 2013, lot 126.