Lot 1086
Elizabeth I (1558-1603), silver Four Testerns. Trade coinage "Portcullis Money", crowned quartered shield of arms, crowned E to left, crowned R to right, beaded circles and Latin legend surrounding, initial mark O, O: ELIZABETH. D:G: ANG: FRA: ET. HIB; REGINA. rev. struck en medaille, crowned portcullis with chains, beaded circles and Latin legend surrounding, initial mark O, O:POSVI. DEVM. ADIVTOREM. MEVM. 13.60g (Pridmore 2; S 2607B). With striking weakness on two parts of legend both sides, two flan flaws intruding edge, some light striations in portcullis and chain area, a result of the annealing of the metal and striking, otherwise evenly toned, in PCGS holder graded EF 45, Pop 1; the only example of this type graded at both services rare. Estimated Value $15,000
PCGS certification 34312653. The four denominations of Eight, Four, Two and One silver Testern were an attempt at producing a trade coinage sponsored by the newly formed East India Company to be used in overseas trade principally in the Far East. However the competition against the Spanish Eight Reales and its fractions was too much at this time and ultimately the coinage did not succeed rendering the surviving coins a rarity. The surviving coins probably all being coins retained in London as souvenirs at the time.
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| Realized $17,700 |
