Lot 2208
Great Britain. Crown, Mint mark 1 (1601). S.2582; Dav-3757. Elizabeth I, 1558-1601. Seventh coinage. Obverse; Crowned portrait of Queen wearing Tudor ruff, left holding orb and sceptre. ELIZABETH : D: G: ANG: FRA: ET: HIBER: REGINA: 1: Reverse; Square topped shield of arms over cross fourchee:1: POSVI: DEVM: AD IVTORE M: MEVM: Nearly as struck, this is a coin produced on a large round flan, with very little evidence of wear. Beautifully toned in shades of purple and grey, and free from the usual flan cracks and marks which are often evident on this issue. Very detailed in parts, the portrait of the Queen is exceptional. Priced in the latest catalogues at around $11,300 (£8,500) in Very Fine, there are no prices for higher grades. NGC graded EF-45. Estimate Value $12,500 - 15,000
*This crown was struck between 1601 and 1602, just before the end of the Queen's lengthy and remarkable reign, and it is the first English silver crown to bear the portrait of a monarch.
It was during Elizabeth's tenure that the foundations of the future British Empire, and the United States of America were laid, but she herself had no great interest in colonization. As she told the English parliament 'My mind has never been to rule over my neighbor, or to usurp over any. I am contented to reign over mine own, and to rule as a just prince.'
She was willing to accept the title Queen of Virginia, but her main concern was to ensure a share of the booty her sea-dogs stole from the Spaniards. However, the discovery of America had radically changed England's position from an offshore island into an admirable jumping-off point for the New World, and Elizabeth appreciated that a large part of her country's interest now lay westward in America.
In her last few years, unlike many monarchs, Elizabeth did not lose her grip. Even her infatuation with the handsome young Earl of Essex, thirty four years her junior, ended abruptly when in 1601 he led a London based rebellion against her. Essex paid with his life.
Less than three months after his execution on 30 November 1601, Elizabeth went to Parliament for what proved to be the last time. She made her famous 'Golden speech' which began 'I account the glory of my crown that I have reigned with your loves,' and then later 'and though you have had, and may have, many mightier and wiser princes, yet you have never had nor shall have any that will love you better.'
By the start of 1603 Elizabeth, now in her 71st year, was in good health, but she fell ill and died on 24 March 1603. A contemporary said that the 'clear and lovely sunshine of her reign was ended.' Elizabeth had inherited a poor and exhausted country and left it the richest and most powerful in Europe.
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