Lot 300
Great Britain. Lion Spur-Ryal of 15 Shillings, ND. S-2634; N-2109. 6.26 grams. James I, 1603-1625. Third Coinage (1619-1625). Crowned lion facing, supporting arms. Reverse: Crowned sunburst, rose at center. Spur-rowel mintmark (a 6-pointed star, 1619-1620). Lustrous on a full, round flan, sharply impressed in all quarters right to the outer beading, faintest vertical flan crinkle as made, with gorgeous golden red color. Very rare, and especially in this grade -- the finest specimen we have seen. NGC graded MS-64.
The facing lion was one of the more elegant motifs in English gold coinage. The design anticipates many of the artistic fancies to be seen in European coinage in his century, yet retains much of the medieval/Renaissance formality and dignity seen earlier in the French and Lowlands coinages.
One sees in this issue of golden ryal a coinage valued at less than in previous series. Moreso in James's reign, the coin is witness to the effects of the plethora of available silver coming into Britain from Europe at the time. This of course was the result of the vast amounts of bullion flooding into Europe via Spain, originating from the mines of its New World colonies. During James's rule, not only were repeated adjustments made to existing denominations but in addition new varieties or denominational combinations were created, all to maintain the English coinage's proper ratio of gold to silver. Here in this magnificent spur-ryal is perhaps the greatest of all artistic innovations of the century, emblematic of both majesty and military might. Few coins throughout history capture the spirit of an age so well as does this marvelous coin.
Estimated Value $30,000 - 35,000.
Ex Dr Jacob Y. Terner Collection (by private treaty to the Millennia Collection). A classic English hammered gold rarity!
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| Realized $74,750 |
