Lot 1174
Great Britain. Elizabeth I (1558-1603). Fine gold Sovereign of Thirty Shillings, undated. Sixth issue (1583-1600), full facing robed figure of Queen seated on large throne, lis headed pillar either side, throne back of pellets in hatching, four pellets up each side of throne back, portcullis below Queen, tressure and beaded border surrounding, Latin legend and outer beaded border on both sides, initial mark escallop (1584-86), +ELIZABETH: D; G; ANG; FRA; ET: HIB; REGINA: Rev. Quartered shield at center of ornate rose, beaded circle surrounding, A. DNO; FACTV; EST. ISTVD. ET. EST. MIRAB; INOCVLIS. NRIS, weight 15.21g (Fr 209; S.2529; N 2003). A lovely full round well-struck coin with a red tinged tone, rare this well preserved. In NGC holder graded AU 55. Estimated Value $25,000 - UP
Arguably, Elizabeth was perhaps the greatest of England's monarchs. She carried even further her father's supremacist views of the monarchy. But Elizabeth was a master of political science, and managed to achieve her ends while maintaining the devotion of the whole of English society to an extent probably not seen again until the reign of Victoria.
By the end of this reign, England had emerged as the world's strongest naval power, and the stage was set for the country's future imperial expansion. Likewise during Elizabeth's reign the country experienced an artistic and cultural "golden age" - with such notables, especially in literature, as Shakespeare, Marlowe, Spenser and Bacon. Elizabeth died childless and without heir at age seventy, having been on the English throne for forty-four years. With her ended the Tudor age, but through her the nation truly emerged in renaissance.
NGC Certification Number 2134789-002 Ex The Century Collection.
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| Realized $54,000 |
