Lot 3074
Great Britain. Crown, 1601. S.2582; Dav-3757. Elizabeth I, 1558-1603. Mint mark, 1. Seventh issue, 1601-1602. Obverse portrait of Queen left, wearing small crown, holding orb and sceptre. Reverse; Crowned quartered shield of arms with legend: POSVI DEVM ADIVTOREM MEVM ('I have made God my helper' - Psalm 54, 4). Delightful pastel tone and strong detail on one of the most iconic English numismatic portraits. Little evidence of wear on this very attractive specimen. NGC graded EF-45 Gold Sticker. WINGS Approved.
* This coin was made within a year or two of the death of Elizabeth I. The Queen had reigned for some 43 years - no small achievement in the turbulent 16th century. The war with Spain continued with varying fortunes to the end of the reign, while events at home foreshadowed the conflicts of the 17th century. Puritan discontent was developing with Elizabeth's religious settlement, and several were imprisoned or executed. Parliament was beginning to show a new independence, and in 1601 Elizabeth was forced to retreat on the monopolies question.
Nevertheless her prestige remained undiminished as was shown by the failure of Essex's rebellion in 1601. Elizabeth had vanquished her enemies and maintained domestic peace for decades. Philip II of Spain had aided Catholic conspiracies against her, but the landing of an English army in the Netherlands in 1585 and Mary Queen of Scots execution in 1587 had brought matters to a head and Philip's Armada (the fleet sent to invade England in 1588) met with total disaster. Perhaps more importantly, her adventurous subjects were establishing vast new colonies in what was to become the United States of America.
Estimated Value $10,000 - 12,000.
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