Lot 2278
Great Britain. Angel, ND NGC Unc. S.2525; Fr-211. Elizabeth I, 1558-1603. Fifth issue. Mint mark, Latin Cross over Greek Cross. Obverse, St Michael standing, slaying the dragon: + ELIZABETH: D: G: ANG: FR: ET: HI: REGINA. Reverse, ship bearing shield of arms and cross. E and rose at sides: ADNO FACTUM EST ISTUD ET EST MIRABI (a shortened version of the Latin legend meaning 'This is the Lord's doing and it is marvellous in our eyes,' Psalm 118.23). Mint state. Nicely struck up, and well centred on a good large planchet, this coin glistens with original luster. Unusually detailed portrait of St Michael.Rarely seen so fine. NGC graded Uncirculated, Details (Obverse Scratched).
*This coin was struck in the period 1580-1581 when the Queen began to feel threatened by the forces of Catholicism. Consequently, from the early 1580s, the previously lax enforcement of anti-Catholic laws became stricter and people were persecuted and executed for their faith.
Some of the priests who had been smuggled into England and caught, rightly claimed that their mission was solely to minister to fellow Catholic souls and went to their deaths proclaiming their loyalty to God and the Queen. But many priests were in fact plotting against her and Elizabeth also rightly claimed that for her the question was not about religion but the stability of the kingdom. To put things in perspective, in the 45 years of her reign three hundred Catholic martyrs died for their faith, but her sister ('Bloody') Mary had killed the same number of Protestant martyrs in a six year reign!
A few years later in 1587 the woman who was the constant focus of plots against Elizabeth, Mary Queen of Scots, was executed, and in 1588 Philip of Spain launched his ill-fated Armada against England. The Armada failed, and a certain stability returned to England. Estimated Value $6,000 - 7,000
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