Baldwin & Sons
Auction 104 10 Mar 2022
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James I (1603-25), Spur-Ryal of Fifteen Shillings, third coinage (1619-25), mintmark trefoil (1624) crowned facing lion supporting flat topped quartered shield of arms, holding sceptre upright, value flanking with X to left, V to right, inner beaded linear circles both sides, legend surrounding, IACOBVS DG MAG BRI FR ET HI REX. Rev, rose on sun with a burst of sixteen rays at centre, cruciform crowned fleur de lis, crown over lion in each angle within tressure of eight arcs, pellet in each spandrel, legend reads A DNO FACTVM EST ISTVD ET EST MIRABI, 6.19g (S.2634; N.2109; Schneider 80). A fully centred strike, exhibiting much of its original mint lustre. Struck in 23 carat Gold, these imposing coins were set at a nominal value of fifteen shillings, with a new obverse design in the crowned facing lion. About extremely fine, lustrous, very rare with an illustrious supporting provenance.
Ex Lockett collection, part III, Glendinings, 4-6 November 1958, lot 3331.
Ex Dupree collection, bought en bloc by Spink in 1989. Ex SNC, October 1994, no. 6404.
Ex Spink Auction 1012, 2 December 2010, lot 934.
The third issue gold denominations of James I were finalised by an indenture of 20th August 1619, Gold was issued at two standards of fineness; I) fine gold of 23 carat (0.995 fine), this measure was applied to Rose Ryals of thirty shillings, Spur Ryals of fifteen shillings and Angels of ten shillings. II) Crown gold of 22 carats covered the Unites, Double-crowns and Crowns. Our example struck in fine gold with initial mark trefoil, Pyx records show this to be between the 18th June 1624 and 7th July 1625. In terms of aesthetics, the third issue Spur Ryal and the second coinage Spur Ryal (known colloquially as the Ship Ryal, given its King in ship design) are arguably the most impressive types within the gold coinage of James I. The Spur-Ryal immediately recognisable with its heraldic Lion on the obverse, a simple effective and well-balanced design, equally arresting and bold. A highly coveted type within House of Stuart hammered gold.
Ex Lockett collection, part III, Glendinings, 4-6 November 1958, lot 3331.
Ex Dupree collection, bought en bloc by Spink in 1989. Ex SNC, October 1994, no. 6404.
Ex Spink Auction 1012, 2 December 2010, lot 934.
The third issue gold denominations of James I were finalised by an indenture of 20th August 1619, Gold was issued at two standards of fineness; I) fine gold of 23 carat (0.995 fine), this measure was applied to Rose Ryals of thirty shillings, Spur Ryals of fifteen shillings and Angels of ten shillings. II) Crown gold of 22 carats covered the Unites, Double-crowns and Crowns. Our example struck in fine gold with initial mark trefoil, Pyx records show this to be between the 18th June 1624 and 7th July 1625. In terms of aesthetics, the third issue Spur Ryal and the second coinage Spur Ryal (known colloquially as the Ship Ryal, given its King in ship design) are arguably the most impressive types within the gold coinage of James I. The Spur-Ryal immediately recognisable with its heraldic Lion on the obverse, a simple effective and well-balanced design, equally arresting and bold. A highly coveted type within House of Stuart hammered gold.