Watch List notes:

MS63 | Elizabeth I (1558-1603), First 'Tentative' Coinage, First Issue [Crown Gold], Halfcrown [of 2.5 Shillings], (Pyx Period: 1 January 1561 - 31 August 1565), Tower, (m.m.) ELIZABETH : D '. G .' AN .' FR .['] ET : HI .' REGINA, crowned bust 3F left, rev. (m.m.) SCVTVM • FIDEI • PROTEGET • EAM, crowned square-topped shield dividing E-R, 1.35g [20.7grns], 7h, m.m. cross-crosslet (HCN 176; Montagu III, 56; Murdoch I, 600; Evans 2556 same dies; Lockett 1996 same dies; Wilkinson 1394 same dies; Comber I, 12 same dies; Schneider I, 753 same dies; Brown & Comber J5; North 1984; Spink 2524), a spot of toning in second quarter of reverse and a hint of peripheral striking softness, otherwise a beautiful example, the portrait exceptionally bold, near extremely fine and very rare, in NGC 'Horace Hird' holder, graded MS63 (Cert. #6135299-010).
Provenance
A Lost Parcel from the Celebrated Horace Hird Collection
, , Brown and Comber record six instances of this privy mark for denomination [not accounting for duplication] as listed in the Spink Numismatic Circular and Seaby Bulletin between 1937 and 1983. Challis records the mint output for this Pyx Period at £106,278 for Crown Gold.
Estimate: £4000 - £6000