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March Signature Sale 3096 25-27 Mar 2021
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Scotland
James VI (I) gold 20 Pounds 1576 UNC Details (Obverse Scratched) NGC, Edinburgh mint, Second coinage, Fr-37, S-5451, Burns-pg. 385, 1 (Fig. 947), SCBI XXXV-1141. 30.34gm. IACOBVS • 6 • DEI • GRA • REX • SCOTOR, crowned and armored half-length bust right, olive branch in left hand, sword over shoulder in right; in tablet below, two line legend reading IN • VTRVNQVE • | • PARATVS • / PARCERE SVBIECTIS • & DEBELLARE SVPERBOS, crowned coat-of-arms. A venerable type, produced among the earliest gold issues of James VI, and of such a weight that, according to Burns, they "[exceeded] that of any other Scottish gold coins, [and] they were formerly regarded as medals or pattern pieces." The type is incredibly rare, with a total of only 7 examples of this date thought to exist in private hands. Further, this offering is certainly among the very finest of these few examples.
Looking to those offered at auction in the last two decades, the Lawrence Adams-Mallinson specimen (2015) appears to be of approximately VF condition. The Clearwater-Douglas-V.J.E. Ryan example (2010, 2013) also shows wear, albeit to a lesser degree. The ex. Kroisos-Hird Collection example (2008) demonstrates significant wear, also approximately VF in preservation, with the last available example in recent records, the Bridgewater House Collection example (2006, also part of the LaRiviere Collection), appearing lightly circulated and with a noted scrape by the King's bust. Extending our search further back, even the Dundee (ex. Marquess of Bute) specimen sold in 1976 showed clear rub and was only deemed "nice very fine." If the proposed figure of seven examples in private hands is to be trusted, that would make the present offering the finest of at least 6 of these known. Indeed, its preservation leaves nothing to be desired. Gleaming golden luster resides in the fields amidst a subtle orange-gold tone. The King's portrait is sharp, the fine details in his armor and collar fully struck-up and retaining the highest degree of clarity, an observation which similarly extends to the legends and reverse shield motif. The scratch, while technically fairly noted, is both shallow and unobtrusive, and here NGC arguably appears to have taken a harder stance than is often the case with such lesser marks, which act to lower the assigned grade rather than conferring a Details designation. Aside from this single feature, only light friction in the fields is noted, with no other significant signs of contact or distractions worthy of mention. Thus, it may be said that this offering represents the virtual peak of desirability, not just for the date, but for the type as a whole, rendering its inclusion in this prestigious collection as a singular opportunity for collectors who seek the finest of this quality for this highly elusive, artistically refined, and utmost historical issue.
A wondrous design, the reverse displays a crowned coat-of-arms occupying an amount of flan generally reserved for only the largest of silver crowns of the era, while the obverse features the youthful King of Scots (at the tender age of just nine) in full armor, holding in one hand an olive branch (emblematic of peace) and in the other a sword (emblematic of war). The legend in the cartouche below mirrors the imagery, translating as "prepared for either," a message of both temperance and assertiveness mirrored by the reverse citation from the Aeneid, which translates as "To Spare the Humbled and Subdue the Proud," a statement emblematic of the Humanistic learning that prospered at James' court. Though a bold statement, in reality, the boy-king was fragile and vulnerable given his youth and inexperience. Even the bust, though clad in armor, can be seen as more defensive and protective rather than offensive and imposing, given his rather frail, thin frame. Nevertheless, his reign lived on, and he oversaw his realm into adulthood, whereupon he became Elizabeth I's heir and eventual successor to the British throne. Later portraits and types convey a much sterner profile or strengthened iconography, making this large, early piece an excellent and rare glimpse into a time when his imperium over the Scots was legitimately in question.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/scotland/scotland-james-vi-i-gold-20-pounds-1576-unc-details-obverse-scratched-ngc-/a/3096-30441.s?type=CoinArchives3096
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 80000-120000 USD
James VI (I) gold 20 Pounds 1576 UNC Details (Obverse Scratched) NGC, Edinburgh mint, Second coinage, Fr-37, S-5451, Burns-pg. 385, 1 (Fig. 947), SCBI XXXV-1141. 30.34gm. IACOBVS • 6 • DEI • GRA • REX • SCOTOR, crowned and armored half-length bust right, olive branch in left hand, sword over shoulder in right; in tablet below, two line legend reading IN • VTRVNQVE • | • PARATVS • / PARCERE SVBIECTIS • & DEBELLARE SVPERBOS, crowned coat-of-arms. A venerable type, produced among the earliest gold issues of James VI, and of such a weight that, according to Burns, they "[exceeded] that of any other Scottish gold coins, [and] they were formerly regarded as medals or pattern pieces." The type is incredibly rare, with a total of only 7 examples of this date thought to exist in private hands. Further, this offering is certainly among the very finest of these few examples.
Looking to those offered at auction in the last two decades, the Lawrence Adams-Mallinson specimen (2015) appears to be of approximately VF condition. The Clearwater-Douglas-V.J.E. Ryan example (2010, 2013) also shows wear, albeit to a lesser degree. The ex. Kroisos-Hird Collection example (2008) demonstrates significant wear, also approximately VF in preservation, with the last available example in recent records, the Bridgewater House Collection example (2006, also part of the LaRiviere Collection), appearing lightly circulated and with a noted scrape by the King's bust. Extending our search further back, even the Dundee (ex. Marquess of Bute) specimen sold in 1976 showed clear rub and was only deemed "nice very fine." If the proposed figure of seven examples in private hands is to be trusted, that would make the present offering the finest of at least 6 of these known. Indeed, its preservation leaves nothing to be desired. Gleaming golden luster resides in the fields amidst a subtle orange-gold tone. The King's portrait is sharp, the fine details in his armor and collar fully struck-up and retaining the highest degree of clarity, an observation which similarly extends to the legends and reverse shield motif. The scratch, while technically fairly noted, is both shallow and unobtrusive, and here NGC arguably appears to have taken a harder stance than is often the case with such lesser marks, which act to lower the assigned grade rather than conferring a Details designation. Aside from this single feature, only light friction in the fields is noted, with no other significant signs of contact or distractions worthy of mention. Thus, it may be said that this offering represents the virtual peak of desirability, not just for the date, but for the type as a whole, rendering its inclusion in this prestigious collection as a singular opportunity for collectors who seek the finest of this quality for this highly elusive, artistically refined, and utmost historical issue.
A wondrous design, the reverse displays a crowned coat-of-arms occupying an amount of flan generally reserved for only the largest of silver crowns of the era, while the obverse features the youthful King of Scots (at the tender age of just nine) in full armor, holding in one hand an olive branch (emblematic of peace) and in the other a sword (emblematic of war). The legend in the cartouche below mirrors the imagery, translating as "prepared for either," a message of both temperance and assertiveness mirrored by the reverse citation from the Aeneid, which translates as "To Spare the Humbled and Subdue the Proud," a statement emblematic of the Humanistic learning that prospered at James' court. Though a bold statement, in reality, the boy-king was fragile and vulnerable given his youth and inexperience. Even the bust, though clad in armor, can be seen as more defensive and protective rather than offensive and imposing, given his rather frail, thin frame. Nevertheless, his reign lived on, and he oversaw his realm into adulthood, whereupon he became Elizabeth I's heir and eventual successor to the British throne. Later portraits and types convey a much sterner profile or strengthened iconography, making this large, early piece an excellent and rare glimpse into a time when his imperium over the Scots was legitimately in question.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/scotland/scotland-james-vi-i-gold-20-pounds-1576-unc-details-obverse-scratched-ngc-/a/3096-30441.s?type=CoinArchives3096
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 80000-120000 USD