Coins

Country: England, Stuart
King (reign): James I (1603 - 1625)
Denomination/metal: Gold Shillings, Twenty (Unite)
Date/mint mark: mm. lis, 1623 - 1624
Type Second Coinage, Fifth Bust
Ref. no: Schneider 22; S 2620

Obv. Crowned, cuirassed bust right holding orb and long sceptre, ' IACOBVS D' G' MAG' BRIY' FRAN' ET HI' REX'. Rev. Crowned Royal Arms dividing 'IR'. FACIAM EOS IN GENTEM VNAM', (I will make them one nation).
38mm, 9.78g. VF - Very Fine, well struck

Particularly nice coin, although it has seen a little wear it is well struck and sharp. All the details in the king's armour and face can be clearly seen, the reverse arms are sharp and complete and both side's legends are struck-up and easily legible. Called a 'Unite' because of James's wish to 'unite' the nations of England and Scotland – which sentiment he chose to be the reverse legend of his twenty Shillings piece. This is a concept that is particularly relevant today!

Country: England, Tudor
King (reign): Edward VI (1547 - 1553)
Denomination/metal: Silver Crown
Date/mint mark: 1551
Type Fine Silver Issue
Ref. no: S 2478

Obv. Crowned, armoured king, holding sword, riding fully caparisoned horse right, 'EDWARD' VI D G AGL' FRANC' Z HIBER' REX'. Rev. Royal Arms on cross fourchee, 'POSVI DEVM DIVTORE' MEV', (I have made God my helper).
42mm, 31g. VF - Very Fine, well struck with even grey toning

Splendid, large and well struck coin with an even grey toning, only issued for three years. Very good contemporary portrait of the boy king, Henry VIII's 14 year old son in full armour – apart from the helm. This crown is one of the first dated English coins and the equestrian portrait set the style for future issues of this denomination.

Country: England, Tudor
King (reign): Edward VI (1547 - 1553)
Denomination/metal: Gold Sovereign, Half
Date/mint mark: mm. arrow, 1549
Type Second Period, Crowned Bust
Ref. no: Schneider 672; S 2438

Obv. Crowned, cuirassed bust of Edward right, 'EDWARD VI DG AGL' FRA' Z HIB' REX'. Rev. Crowned, garnished Royal Arms dividing 'ER', 'SCVTVM FIDEI PROTEGET EVM', (The shield of Faith shall protect him), rosette stops.
29mm, 4.94g. GVF - Good Very Fine, well struck

This half sovereign of 10 shillings issued in the first part of the Boy King's reign, ie when he was only ten years of age, is a superb contemporary portrait of Henry VIII's sickly son Edward VI. The portrait is well struck and shows youth well. It is consequently a desirable piece and rare in this grade of preservation. Just over five years later, in February 1553, at age 15, Edward fell ill. When his sickness was discovered to be terminal, he and his Council drew up a "Devise for the Succession", attempting to prevent the country being returned to Catholicism. Edward named his cousin Lady Jane Grey as his heir and excluded his half sisters, Mary and Elizabeth. However, this was disputed following Edward's death and Jane was queen for only nine days before Edward's half-sister, Mary, was proclaimed Queen. She reversed Edward's Protestant reforms, which nonetheless became the basis of the Elizabethan Religious Settlement of 1559.

Country: England, Tudor
King (reign): Edward VI (1547 - 1553)
Denomination/metal: Gold Sovereign, Half
Date/mint mark: mm. arrow, 1549
Type Second Period, Crowned Bust
Ref. no: Schneider 672; S 2438

Obv. Crowned, cuirassed bust of Edward right, 'EDWARD VI DG AGL' FRA' Z HIB' REX'. Rev. Crowned, garnished Royal Arms dividing 'ER', 'SCVTVM FIDEI PROTEGET EVM', (The shield of Faith shall protect him), rosette stops.
29mm, 4.94g. GVF - Good Very Fine, well struck

This half sovereign of 10 shillings issued in the first part of the Boy King's reign, ie when he was only ten years of age, is a superb contemporary portrait of Henry VIII's sickly son Edward VI. The portrait is well struck and shows youth well. It is consequently a desirable piece and rare in this grade of preservation. Just over five years later, in February 1553, at age 15, Edward fell ill. When his sickness was discovered to be terminal, he and his Council drew up a "Devise for the Succession", attempting to prevent the country being returned to Catholicism. Edward named his cousin Lady Jane Grey as his heir and excluded his half sisters, Mary and Elizabeth. However, this was disputed following Edward's death and Jane was queen for only nine days before Edward's half-sister, Mary, was proclaimed Queen. She reversed Edward's Protestant reforms, which nonetheless became the basis of the Elizabethan Religious Settlement of 1559.

Country: England, Tudor
King (reign): Edward VI (1547 - 1553)
Denomination/metal: Gold Sovereign, Half
Date/mint mark: mm. arrow, 1549
Type Second Period, Crowned Bust
Ref. no: Schneider 672; S 2438

Obv. Crowned, cuirassed bust of Edward right, 'EDWARD VI DG AGL' FRA' Z HIB' REX'. Rev. Crowned, garnished Royal Arms dividing 'ER', 'SCVTVM FIDEI PROTEGET EVM', (The shield of Faith shall protect him), rosette stops.
29mm, 4.94g. GVF - Good Very Fine, well struck

This half sovereign of 10 shillings issued in the first part of the Boy King's reign, ie when he was only ten years of age, is a superb contemporary portrait of Henry VIII's sickly son Edward VI. The portrait is well struck and shows youth well. It is consequently a desirable piece and rare in this grade of preservation. Just over five years later, in February 1553, at age 15, Edward fell ill. When his sickness was discovered to be terminal, he and his Council drew up a "Devise for the Succession", attempting to prevent the country being returned to Catholicism. Edward named his cousin Lady Jane Grey as his heir and excluded his half sisters, Mary and Elizabeth. However, this was disputed following Edward's death and Jane was queen for only nine days before Edward's half-sister, Mary, was proclaimed Queen. She reversed Edward's Protestant reforms, which nonetheless became the basis of the Elizabethan Religious Settlement of 1559.

Country: England, Tudor
King (reign): Edward VI (1547 - 1553)
Denomination/metal: Gold Sovereign, Half
Date/mint mark: mm. 'E', 1549
Type Southwark Mint, First Period Coinage struck in the name of his father - Henry VIII
Ref. no: Schneider 666; S 2394

Obv. Bearded Henry VIII seated on throne holding sceptre and orb, 'HENRIC' 8 D G AGL FRANC Z HIB REX'. Rev. Crowned Royal Arms supported by lion and griffon, 'E' below, 'IHS AVTEM TRANSIES PER MEDI ILLOR IBAT', (But Jesus, passing through the midst of them went his way), lozenge stops.
29mm, 5.61g. GVF - Good Very fine, well struck but short of flan

This piece illustrates well the chaos of the striking of coin of the previous reign and this coin issued in the first year of Edward's reign bears the name of his father 'Henry 8' rather than his own. At the beginning of Edward's reign there was much disquiet over the debasement of coins – which forced the government to producing finer silver coins. This gold coin is only 20 carat but in 1549, two years after they started issuing 22 carat gold coins again – and in Edward's name! Very interesting piece – issued at Southwark, well struck with good details of king and arms – a little short of flan though.

Country: England, Tudor
King (reign): Edward VI (1547 - 1553)
Denomination/metal: Gold Sovereign, Half
Date/mint mark: mm. 'E', 1549
Type Southwark Mint, First Period Coinage struck in the name of his father - Henry VIII
Ref. no: Schneider 666; S 2394

Obv. Bearded Henry VIII seated on throne holding sceptre and orb, 'HENRIC' 8 D G AGL FRANC Z HIB REX'. Rev. Crowned Royal Arms supported by lion and griffon, 'E' below, 'IHS AVTEM TRANSIES PER MEDI ILLOR IBAT', (But Jesus, passing through the midst of them went his way), lozenge stops.
29mm, 5.61g. GVF - Good Very fine, well struck but short of flan

This piece illustrates well the chaos of the striking of coin of the previous reign and this coin issued in the first year of Edward's reign bears the name of his father 'Henry 8' rather than his own. At the beginning of Edward's reign there was much disquiet over the debasement of coins – which forced the government to producing finer silver coins. This gold coin is only 20 carat but in 1549, two years after they started issuing 22 carat gold coins again – and in Edward's name! Very interesting piece – issued at Southwark, well struck with good details of king and arms – a little short of flan though.

Country: England, Tudor
King (reign): Edward VI (1547 - 1553)
Denomination/metal: Gold Sovereign, Half
Date/mint mark: mm. 'E', 1549
Type Southwark Mint, First Period Coinage struck in the name of his father - Henry VIII
Ref. no: Schneider 666; S 2394

Obv. Bearded Henry VIII seated on throne holding sceptre and orb, 'HENRIC' 8 D G AGL FRANC Z HIB REX'. Rev. Crowned Royal Arms supported by lion and griffon, 'E' below, 'IHS AVTEM TRANSIES PER MEDI ILLOR IBAT', (But Jesus, passing through the midst of them went his way), lozenge stops.
29mm, 5.61g. GVF - Good Very fine, well struck but short of flan

This piece illustrates well the chaos of the striking of coin of the previous reign and this coin issued in the first year of Edward's reign bears the name of his father 'Henry 8' rather than his own. At the beginning of Edward's reign there was much disquiet over the debasement of coins – which forced the government to producing finer silver coins. This gold coin is only 20 carat but in 1549, two years after they started issuing 22 carat gold coins again – and in Edward's name! Very interesting piece – issued at Southwark, well struck with good details of king and arms – a little short of flan though.

Country: England, Tudor
King (reign): Henry VIII (1509 - 1547)
Denomination/metal: Gold Shillings, Five (Crown of The Do
Date/mint mark: mm. rose for HK, 1526 - 1529
Type Second Coinage
Ref. no: Schneider 581; S 2273

Obv. Crowned Tudor rose dividing 'hK' (mixed Roman Gothic letters), 'HENRIC VIII RVTILANS ROSA SINE SPIN' (Henry VIII, a dazzling rose without thorns). Rev. Crowned Royal Arms, 'DEI GR AGLIE Z FRANC DNS HIBERNIE', (By the grace of God of England, and France, lord of Ireland).
26mm, 3.65g. GVF - good Very Fine, well struck with no weak areas

Very good example of this quintessential Tudor coin – the crowned Tudor rose dividing the initials of Henry and his wife Katherine of Aragon. Not very rare – but very rare in this grade with all the design and legend well struck, sharp and clearly legible. In 1526 Henry brought out a golden crown – the 'Crown of the Rose' valued at 4/6d. to compete with the French 'Ecu au Soleil'. It was not a success and so soon after this the 'Crown of the Double Rose' was issued, it was valued at 5/0d. but made of 22c gold – the lowest fineness ever issued (normally above 23c).

Country: England, Tudor
King (reign): Henry VIII (1509 - 1547)
Denomination/metal: Gold Shillings, Five (Crown of The Do
Date/mint mark: mm. rose for HK, 1526 - 1529
Type Second Coinage
Ref. no: Schneider 581; S 2273

Obv. Crowned Tudor rose dividing 'hK' (mixed Roman Gothic letters), 'HENRIC VIII RVTILANS ROSA SINE SPIN' (Henry VIII, a dazzling rose without thorns). Rev. Crowned Royal Arms, 'DEI GR AGLIE Z FRANC DNS HIBERNIE', (By the grace of God of England, and France, lord of Ireland).
26mm, 3.65g. GVF - good Very Fine, well struck with no weak areas

Very good example of this quintessential Tudor coin – the crowned Tudor rose dividing the initials of Henry and his wife Katherine of Aragon. Not very rare – but very rare in this grade with all the design and legend well struck, sharp and clearly legible. In 1526 Henry brought out a golden crown – the 'Crown of the Rose' valued at 4/6d. to compete with the French 'Ecu au Soleil'. It was not a success and so soon after this the 'Crown of the Double Rose' was issued, it was valued at 5/0d. but made of 22c gold – the lowest fineness ever issued (normally above 23c).

Country: England, Celtic
King (reign): Trinovantes
Denomination/metal: Gold Stater
Date/mint mark: c.45-40 BC
Type Late Whaddon Chase Type
Ref. no: vA 1502; S 33

Obv. Almost plain. Rev. Stylised, spirited horse with double tail right, pellet in two rings below, 'cog' in front and 'ring' above.
25mm, 5.66g. AEF - About Extremely Fine , well struck on a small but fat flan

The Trinovantes was a Celtic tribe that lived north of the Thames, centred in modern day North London, Essex and Suffolk. The coin is termed a 'Whaddon Chase' stater after the large hoard of some 2000 found at Whaddon near Buckingham in 1849 which gave its name to the series. Shortly before Julius Caesar's invasion of Britain in 55-54 BC, the Trinovantes were considered the most powerful tribe in Britain. At this time their capital was probably at Braughing (in modern-day Hertfordshire). They took part in Cassivellaunus's resistance to Caesar's invasion and after their defeat the earlier 'Whaddon Chase' types were undoubtedly the tribute coins paid to the departing Romans. Anyway, this coin was generally in circulation in Essex and south Suffolk in around 45-40 BC, after Caesar had left and portrays a very Celtic style and spirited horse and symbols of unknown meaning around. These 'Late Whaddon Chase' types are rare and this is an exceptionally pretty example.

Country: England, Celtic
King (reign): Trinovantes
Denomination/metal: Gold Stater
Date/mint mark: c.45-40 BC
Type Late Whaddon Chase Type
Ref. no: vA 1502; S 33

Obv. Almost plain. Rev. Stylised, spirited horse with double tail right, pellet in two rings below, 'cog' in front and 'ring' above.
25mm, 5.66g. AEF - About Extremely Fine , well struck on a small but fat flan

The Trinovantes was a Celtic tribe that lived north of the Thames, centred in modern day North London, Essex and Suffolk. The coin is termed a 'Whaddon Chase' stater after the large hoard of some 2000 found at Whaddon near Buckingham in 1849 which gave its name to the series. Shortly before Julius Caesar's invasion of Britain in 55-54 BC, the Trinovantes were considered the most powerful tribe in Britain. At this time their capital was probably at Braughing (in modern-day Hertfordshire). They took part in Cassivellaunus's resistance to Caesar's invasion and after their defeat the earlier 'Whaddon Chase' types were undoubtedly the tribute coins paid to the departing Romans. Anyway, this coin was generally in circulation in Essex and south Suffolk in around 45-40 BC, after Caesar had left and portrays a very Celtic style and spirited horse and symbols of unknown meaning around. These 'Late Whaddon Chase' types are rare and this is an exceptionally pretty example.

Country: Netherlands
King (reign): Maurice of Nassau (1590 - 1625)
Denomination/metal: Gold Cavalier d'Or
Type Provincial Issue
Ref. no: Del 997; F 286; KM 15

Obv. Armoured knight, sword in hand, on horse right, province arms below, MO AV PRO CONFOE BELG TRAIECO' (Gold coin of the Belgian confederation, Utrecht). Rev. Crowned Arms of the United Provinces, 'CONCORDIA RES PARVAE CRESCVNTI' (small states flourish through concord).
38mm, 9.91g. GEF - Good Extremely Fine, well struck

Large and splendid gold coin of 'Utrecht', one of the seven Dutch 'United Provinces' formed a few years previously. In 1579 a number of the northern provinces of the Netherlands signed the Union of Utrecht, in which they promised to support each other in their defence against the Spanish army. This was followed in 1581 by the Act of Abjuration, the declaration of independence of the provinces from Philip II. In 1582 the United Provinces invited Francis, Duke of Anjou to lead them; but after a failed attempt to take Antwerp in 1583, the duke left the Netherlands again. After the assassination of William of Orange (10 July 1584), both Henry III of France and Elizabeth I of England declined the offer of sovereignty. However, the latter agreed to turn the United Provinces into a protectorate of England (Treaty of Nonsuch, 1585), and sent the Earl of Leicester as governor-general. This was unsuccessful and in 1588 the provinces became a republic. The Union of Utrecht is regarded as the foundation of the Republic of the Seven United Provinces, which was not recognized by the Spanish Empire until the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. Thus, an early Dutch coin in superb condition - virtually no wear and just a few surface marks on the right of the reverse – a splendid and large piece.

Country: England, Stuart
King (reign): Anne (1702 - 1714)
Denomination/metal: Gold Guinea
Date/mint mark: 1714
Type Third Draped Bust
Ref. no: S 3574

Obv. Draped bust left, 'ANNA DEI GRATIA'. Rev. Crowned Royal Arms in cruciform, garter star centre, sceptres in angles, 'MAG BRI FR ET HIB REG'.
25mm, 8.13g. VF - Very fine, reverse good Very Fine, with original lustre

Although this is the regular issue this piece is a particularly nice example – only exhibiting a small amount of wear on the upper curls of Anne's hair by her ear in the centre of the coin. The coin exhibits traces of original lustre particularly on the reverse which can be seen specifically in the protected areas of the fields either side. All in all a very pretty little coin and a good example.

Country: England, Stuart
King (reign): Anne (1702 - 1714)
Denomination/metal: Gold Guinea
Date/mint mark: 1714
Type Third Draped Bust
Ref. no: S 3574

Obv. Draped bust left, 'ANNA DEI GRATIA'. Rev. Crowned Royal Arms in cruciform, garter star centre, sceptres in angles, 'MAG BRI FR ET HIB REG'.
25mm, 8.13g. VF - Very fine, reverse good Very Fine, with original lustre

Although this is the regular issue this piece is a particularly nice example – only exhibiting a small amount of wear on the upper curls of Anne's hair by her ear in the centre of the coin. The coin exhibits traces of original lustre particularly on the reverse which can be seen specifically in the protected areas of the fields either side. All in all a very pretty little coin and a good example.