Lot 515
Elizabeth I (1558-1603), Silver Crown. Ornate crowned bust left, holding orb and sceptre, crown breaks inner beaded circle, initial mark 1 (1601), legend with inner and outer beaded border surrounding, ELIZABETH: D: G: ANG: FRA: ET: HIBER: REGINA:1:, rev. long cross fourchée under quartered shield of arms, legend with inner and outer beaded border surrounding, :1: POSVI: DEVM: AD IVTORE M: MEVM:, weight 29.89g (Cooper dies C/2a; KM.7; N.2012; S.2582). Toned, just a few light striations and short black mark on chin, a little double-struck evident in the legends, the portrait consequently quite pleasing, otherwise almost extremely fine. Value $12,500 - UP
The Elizabeth I silver Crown represents the largest numismatic portrait of the Tudor series with the elaborate bust of the Queen facing left holding a sceptre. The silver Crowns were struck toward the end of the reign of Elizabeth I in the last issue of her coinage. They are dated by the mint marks which are 1 for 1601, or 2 for 1602 in the Julian calendar in use at that time. F. R. Cooper studied the coinage in depth throughout the 1960s and produced his synopsis of the coinage referenced above, published through the Spink Numismatic Circular in June 1971. Interestingly this exact reverse die was not known to Cooper in 1971 with the beading and lettering so arranged. However, it became known as reverse 2a by the time of the sale of his collection in the late 1970s which contained an example coupled with obverse B. All the known examples of reverse 2a of which there are less than ten known in total are coupled with obverse A or obverse B. This is the only known example so far to be coupled with obverse C making it a very unusual coin of the highest rarity.
The abbreviated Latin legends translate as on the obverse "Elizabeth by the Grace of God, Queen of England, France and Ireland"; and on the reverse "I have made God my helper."
Ex Edward D. J. Van Roekel Collection, Spink Coin Auction 156; 15th November 2001, lot 4.
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| Realized $17,400 |
