Country: England
King (reign): Edward III (1327 - 1377)
Denomination/metal: Silver Groat
Date/mint mark: mm. cross potent, London 1361-1369
Type Treaty period; Double annulet stops
Ref. no: N 1252; S 1617; Lawrence 20/20; Stewartby p260

Obv. Crowned, facing bust within tressure, 'EDWARD DEI G REX ANGL DS HYB Z AQT Edward by the Grace of God king of England, Lord of Ireland and Aquitaine. Rev. Long cross over two circular legends , 'POSVI DEVM ADJVTVRVM MEVM' I have made God my helper and 'CIVITAS LONDON, City of London, groups of 3 pellets in each angle.
17mm, 4.62g. GVF - Good Very Fine or better, well struck portrait

Exceptionally good specimen – well struck up portrait (normally usually fairly weak), all legend clear, nicely patinated, rare thus. Edward III struck towards the end of the '100 years' war in the 1360s when Peace had been signed with France. To acknowledge this Edward dropped 'France' off the titles on his coins although he kept Aquitaine. The treaty of Bretigny brought a period of peace for nine years during the Hundred Years War. As part of the treaty Edward was given control of the areas of Gascony, Calais and Ponthieu as long as he agreed to give up his claim for the French throne. ex G Doubleday via Glendinnings June 1972

Country: England
King (reign): Philip and Mary (1554 - 1558)
Denomination/metal: Silver Shilling
Date/mint mark: 1554
Type: Hammered
Ref. no: N 1968; S 2500

Obv. Busts of Philip and Mary face-to-face, above crown and date. 'PHILIP ET MARIA DG REX ET REGINA ANGL', Philip and Mary king and queen of England Rev. Crowned and garnished Royal Arms (of Spain and England), 'X II' below crown (12 pence), 'POSVIMVS DEVM AUDIVTOREM NOSTRVM'. We have made God our helper.
32mm, 6.01g. EF - Extremely Fine, bright colour, Portraits very well struck. Just one area of slight weakness at Mary's shoulder

Superb double portrait if Philip and Mary – for some reason these coins are normally fairly weakly struck and usually one or other of the portraits is a bit weak. Both of these are strong and there is virtually no wear - all the main details are clearly visible, thus rare. As the fourth crowned monarch of the Tudor dynasty Mary is remembered for her restoration of Roman Catholicism after the short-lived Protestant reign of her brother Edward VI. During her five year reign, she had over 280 religious dissenters burned alive at the stake in the Marian Persecutions. Her Protestant opponents gave her the dobriquet of "Bloody Mary". Her re-establishment of Roman Catholicism was reversed after her death in 1558 by her successor and younger half-sister, Elizabeth . In July 1554 Mary maried Philip of Spain at Winchester thus becoming Queen Consort of Habsburg Spain. They ruled jointly and Philip's portrait and arms were added to the coins - shillings and sixpences. This shilling is only a two year type and the only instance in which a Habsburg monarch has featured on British coins !

Country: England
King (reign): Elizabeth I (1558 - 1603)
Denomination/metal: Silver Penny, Six (Sixpence)
Date/mint mark: mm. latin cross, 1580
Type: Hammered
Ref. no: N 1997; S 2572

Obv. Crowned bust left of Elizabeth (Bust '5a'), rose behind, all in beaded circle Rev. Royal Arms on a long cross fourchee , dated
26mm, 3.13g. VF - Very Fine, little weak on legend in front of facet, very lightly patinated

Good portrait, pretty coin of this famous monarch.

Country: England
King (reign): Elizabeth I (1558 - 1603)
Denomination/metal: Silver Penny, Six (Sixpence)
Date/mint mark: mm. acorn, 1575
Type Third and Fourth Issue Type
Ref. no: N.1997; S.2563

Obv. Crowned bust left, rose behind Rev. Long cross fourchee over shield
25mm, 2.9g. VF - Very Fine, nicely toned.

Good portrait, all legend legible

Country: England, Stuart
King (reign): James VI (1567 - 1625)
Denomination/metal: Gold Pounds, Twelve (Scots, Unite of
Date/mint mark: 1604-1609
Type Ninth Coinage
Ref. no: S 5463

Obv. Half length crowned bust right of James, wearing full armour holding orb and sceptre, 'IACOBVS DG MAG BRIT FRAN & HIB REX'. Rev. Crowned, garnished arms dividing 'IR', FACIAM EOS IN GENTEM UNAM' (I will make them one nation).
37mm, 10g. AVF - About Very Fine

"A little worn but all the main details, especially facial features are clear. Comes with a receipt dated 1977 for $2,875.
In 1603 James inherited the English throne from Elizabeth and these coins were issued, some with the 'United' British arms in the first and fourth quarter, some with the Scottish arms. South of the border they were a pound but north of the border they were £12. Scots. Essentially he established a currency of similar weight and fineness for both realms, although a 12:1 ratio between the Scottish and English denomination was maintained."

Country: England, Tudor
King (reign): Elizabeth I (1558 - 1603)
Denomination/metal: Silver Crown
Date/mint mark: 1'
Type: Hammered Seventh Issue
Ref. no: N 2012; S 2582

Obv. Crowned bust left, holding scepte and orb, ornate dress and ruff, 'ELIZABETH D' G' ANG' FRA' ET HIBER' REGINA'. Rev. Garnished Royal Arms on long cross fourchee. 'POSVI DEVM ADIVTOREM MEVM', (I have made God my helper).
41mm, 29.8g. AVF - About Very Fine, well toned, slight weakness at mint mark on obverse.

Scarce and very rare in this good a condition - all the main details are visible with a particularly strongly struck portrait, especially her elaborate dress and ruff. Very attractive and 'magnificent' coin, struck a couple of years before her death. Elizabeth's reign is known as the Elizabethan Era - famous above all for the flourishing of English drama, led by playwrights such as William Shakespeare and Charles Marlowe, and for the seafaring prowess of English adventurers such as Sir Francis Drake. Some historians are more reserved in their assessment. They depict Elizabeth as a short-tempered, sometimes indecisive ruler, who enjoyed more than her share of luck.

Country: England, Stuart
King (reign): Charles I (1625 - 1649)
Denomination/metal: Gold Pounds, Three (Triple Unite)
Date/mint mark: 1642
Type Oxford Mint, 'Declaration'
Ref. no: Schneider 286; N 2381; S 2724

Obv. Half length tall figure of Charles to left, wearing crown and full armour holding a sword and an olive branch. Plumes behind, 'CAROLVS DG MAG BRIT FRAN ET HI REX'. Rev. Declaration in a three line scroll, 'RELIG PROT / LEG ANG / LIBER PAR' (Protestant Religion, Laws of England, Liberty of Parliament), three plumes above with mark of value, date below; around 'EXVRGAT DEVS DISSIPENTVR INIMICI' (Let God arise and let the enemy be scattered).
46mm, 27g. GVF - Good Very Fine, strongly struck

TheTripleUnite, valued atsixty shillings, 60/-or three pounds, was the highestEnglishdenomination to be produced. It was struck at the Oxford Mint set up during the first English Civil War of 1642-6 and issued between January and March of 1642 at the hurriedly set up mint at New Inn Hall in Oxford. This huge coin was issued, at least in part, for use as gifts to those whom the King wished to 'cement' to his side in the Civil War. Thus he obverse design for the coin features an armoured bust of Charles I, with broadsword raised, and yet in visual dichotomy he bears an olive branch clutched over his heart. Charles was visually appealing to either nature of the benefactor he was seeking to entice. The bust on this coin is very hawkish which is the earliest type, later he had it changed to a more benevolent softer style. On the reverse he put his famous declaration – uttered in 1642 when he swore to to uphold the Protestant Religion, the laws of England and the freedom of Parliament. Very rare and spectacular coin!

Country: England, Stuart
King (reign): Charles I (1625 - 1649)
Denomination/metal: Gold Shillings, Twenty (Unite)
Date/mint mark: mm. lis, 1625
Type Tower Mint, Gp. A, Class II
Ref. no: Schneider 114-15; Brooker 22; N 2146; S 2685

Obv. Crowned bust of Charles left, wearing elaborate ruff and ermine, denomination 'XX' behind, 'CAROLVS D'G' MAG' BRI' FRAN' ET HIB' REX'. Rev. Crowned, garnished Royal Arms, 'FACIAM EOS IN GENTEM VNAM' (I will make them into one nation).
35mm, 8.99g. GVF - Good Very Fine

Handsome piece, well struck – marvellous detail to the bust of the king. Scarce thus. This piece is particularly interesting as it is was issued in the first year of Charles's reign and thus he is represented on the coin in his coronation robes – the elaborate ruff, ermine mantle and gold chin. Very good portrait indeed.

Country: England, Stuart
King (reign): Charles I (1625 - 1649)
Denomination/metal: Silver Crown, Half
Type: Milled Briot's Second milled Issue
Ref. no: Brooker 724; N 2304; S 2858

Obv. King in armour on horseback left, sash flying, raising sword, 'CAROLVS D G MAGN BRITANN FRAN ET HIB REX. Rev. Crowned, garnished oval Royal Arms dividing crowned 'CR'. CHRISTO AVSPICE REGNO, (I reign under the auspice of Christ)
35mm, 15.49g. GEF - Good Extremely Fine with grey lustre.

Well struck with a beautiful toning this is a superb example of one of the first mechine struck coins in Charles I's reign and must rank as one of the finest examples known. Nicholas Briot, a Huguenot from Lorraine, sought to convince the Paris mint to use his new coining mill. Accused of fraud he ran into financial difficulties and fled to England in 1625, pursued by creditors, and offered his services and machinery to Charles. He met with more success than in France, and in 1626 he was commissioned to make puncheons and dies for 'certain pieces of largesse of gold and silver in memory of his Majesty's coronation', producing his successful Coronation Medal, the first of the sequence of medals for Charles I, in that year. This established his reputation, when he was given 'power and authority to frame and engrave the first designs and effigies of the king's image. This established his reputation, when he was given 'power and authority to frame and engrave the first designs and effigies of the king's image which were isued in 1631/2. Shortly afterwards he was sent to Edinburgh to supervise the minting of Charles' Scottish issues where he remained for several years. He was then recalled to England where he issued this second series of milled coins in 1638, 1639 However, it was still quicker to churn coins out by hand, plus the mint workers saw the threat of mechanisation to their jobs and so the invention was not taken on full time.

Country: England
King (reign): Charles I (1625 - 1649)
Denomination/metal: Silver Crown, Half
Date/mint mark: Triangle
Type: Hammered
Ref. no: N 2211; S 2776

Obv. King in armour with drawn sword on horse right, on rough ground (Group III) Rev. Oval, garnished Royal Arms
14.64g. AVF - About Very Fine

Good unclipped halfcrown

Country: England
King (reign): Oliver Cromwell (Lord Protector) (1653 - 1658)
Denomination/metal: Silver Crown
Date/mint mark: 1658
Type: Milled Thomas Simon's issue
Ref. no: S 3226

Obv. Laureate and draped bust of Cromwell left Rev. Crowned Arms of England, Scotland and Ireland with those of Cromwell (a rampant lion) in pretence, PAX. QVERITVR. BELLO',.Peace is sort by war.
39mm, 2.979g. AEF - Good Very Fine, almost Extremely Fine, evenly patinated, normal die flaw through Cromwell's neck.

Well struck and evenly patinated coin. The die cracked very early on in the production of these coins – so virtually all exhibit this flaw across Cromwell's neck. Made from Thomas Simon's coin mills, this series of some of the first machine made coins bearing Oliver Cromwell's portrait were made at the end of Cromwell's life. Authorised in 1656 were issued in 1657 and 58, they are really patterns and did not generally circulate – however they are interesting in the respect that they indicate that the Lord Protector was 'assuming the purple' and may well have issued coins bearing his portrait with his crowned (!!!) arms had he not died ! Very splendid portrait of the Lord Protector and rare.

Country: England
King (reign): William II (1694 - 1702)
Denomination/metal: Gold Guineas, Five
Date/mint mark: 1699
Type: Milled First bust, elephant & castle
Ref. no: Schneider 479; S 3455

Obv. Laureate, long-haired bust right, Elephant & Castle below bust Rev. Cruciform shields of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, sceptres in angles
37mm, 41.71g. AEF - Almost Extremely Fine, reverse better. Original lustre in protected areas of the field, clean coin

Five guinea pieces were only issued for three years of William's reign so as a type are scarce. Apart from being a desirable large gold coin the interesting feature of this piece is that the gold has an African source. From 1668 to 1722 the Royal African Company provided gold to the English Mint and coins made with this gold bear an 'elephant & castle' mark below the bust of the king. The Royal African Company also traded in slaves which activity it eventially abandoned only in 1731. It had most of its dealings in Africa along the Guinea Coast and thus this African gold gave the coinage its name - the 'guinea'.

Country: Great Britain
Type: Struck
Ref. no: MI II 359/197; E438

Obv. Crowned, draped bust of Anne left Rev. Victory flying over a battle scene in woods.
47mm, 37.08g. AEF - About Extremely Fine, good tone, traces of original lustre.

Battle of Malplaquet 1709. Medal by J. Croker to celebrate the British and Allied Victory over Bourbon France near Mons in the war of the Spanish Succession. Although the Allies under Marlborough won the battle (took the field) they actually lost twice as many men as the French. GOOD QUALITY PIECE OF A FAMOUS BATTLE

Country: Great Britain
Date/mint mark: 1713
Type: Struck
Ref. no: MI II 399/256; E458

Obv. Laureate draped bust of Anne left Rev. Britannia seated half left, holding olive branch, men ploughing and ships sailing behind
58mm, 61.32g. AEF - About Extremely Fine, good even toning

Peace of Utrecht 1713. silver medal by J. Croker commemorating the Treaty of Utrecht which concluded the war of the Spanish Succession between Britain, Prussia, Austria and the NL against France and Spain. PRETTY AND GOOD CONDITION MEDAL OF THE END OF THE WAR THAT SHAPED EUROPE AS IT IS TODAY.

Country: Great Britain
Date/mint mark: 1717
Type: Struck
Ref. no: MI II 437/39; E479

Obv. Laureate, draped,cuirassed bust of George right Rev. Clemency leaning on a pillar touching a snake with her caduceus
45mm, 0g. UC - Uncirculated, with almost all original lustre

Act of Grace and Free pardon 1717 Copper medal by J. Croker. On the 15th. of July Parliament passed this act to pardon all, with few exceptions, who had taken part in the Jacobite Rebellion. Clemency is 'tranquilising' the serpent of Rebellion with her caduceus – as Mercury did in the formation of the first caduceus. SUPERB CONDITION, JACOBITE INTEREST.

Country: Great Britain
King (reign): George II (1723 - 1760)
Denomination/metal: Gold Guineas, Two
Date/mint mark: 1748
Type Old Head
Ref. no: S 3669

Obv. Laureate bust left. Rev. Crowned Royal Arms in a rococo shield.
31mm, 16.7g. AEF - About Extremely Fine, reverse better

Handsome coin, just a little wear on the high curls of George’s hair. Good colour with some reddish tints to lustre.

Country: Great Britain
Type: Struck
Ref. no: MI II 612/276; Woolf 55;7b

Obv. Equestrian portrait of Duke of Cumberland, sword drawn Rev. Scene of the battle with rebels fleeing
34mm, 13.7g. GVF - Good Very Fine to Extremely Fine . Generally bright with light surface marks

Battle of Culloden 1746. Medal by unknown maker. Bonnie Prince Charlie had advanced into England as far as Derby and then retreated north of the border. The Duke of Cumberland followed him north and after some resistance eventually met Charles at Culloden Moor near Nairn. The Jacobite army was routed in an hour with much slaughter and the Stuart rebellion was extinguished. VERY GOOD SPECIMEN OF THIS MEDAL MADE FOR PUBLIC DEMAND

Country: Great Britain
Date/mint mark: 1760
Type: Struck
Ref. no: BHM 3; E17

Obv. Draped and cuirassed bust left of George Rev. Britannia standing facing, holding cap of liberty and cornucopia, lion arms and Union shield beside.
41mm, 28.74g. GVF - Good Very Fine, nicely patinated

Accession of George III 1760. Medal by T. Pingo commemorating the accession of George II's grandson, George III. VERY RARE IN SILVER, MONARCH WITH U.S. RELEVANCE

Country: Great Britain
Type: Struck
Ref. no: BHM 3; E17

Obv. Draped and cuirassed bust left of George Rev. Britannia standing facing, holding cap of liberty and cornucopia, lion, arms and Union shield beside.
41mm, 29.98g. AEF - About Extremely Fine – reverse better, attractive patina , even brown toning

Accession of George III 1760. Medal by T. Pingo commemorating the accession of George II's grandson, George III. VERY GOOD CONDITION, US RELEVANCE

Country: Barbados
King (reign): George III (1760 - 1820)
Denomination/metal: Copper Penny
Type: Milled
Ref. no: KM.Tn8

Obv. Crowned slave's head Rev. Pineapple
32mm, 0g. EF - Extremely fine, toned

Very interesting coin with the crowned black slave's head, pun on Prince of wales motto

Country: Iran, Qajar Dynasty
King (reign): Fath'Ali Shah (1797 - 1834)
Denomination/metal: Gold Toman
Date/mint mark: Dar el-Ibadat Yazd, 1798
Type: Hammered type S.2
Ref. no: KM.739

Obv. Arabic inscription Rev. Arabic inscription
25mm, 6.12g. VF - Very Fine, weakly struck in places, small test punch

Pretty coin. Has a test mark.

Country: Great Britain
King (reign): George III (1760 - 1820)
Denomination/metal: Copper Penny
Date/mint mark: 1806
Type Late Soho Coinage
Ref. no: S.3780; Peck.1343

Obv. Laureate, draped bust right Rev. Britannia seated left
34mm, 19g. UC - Uncirculated, trace of lustre

Lovely coin, good patination, couldn't get one much better.

Country: Great Britain
Date/mint mark: 1807
Type: Struck
Ref. no: BHM 627; E983

Obv. Bare bust of Wilberforce right Rev. Britannia standing with Victory above and other allegorical figures around her
53mm, 61g. EF - Extremely Fine, bronzed. Struck from rusty dies – therefore pocking on face

Abolition of the Slave Trade 1807. Medal by T. Webb for the 'Gentleman's Magazine' in 1809 to commemorate the abolition of the Slave trade in British Possessions. PORTRAIT MEDAL OF WILBERFORCE, ANTI SLAVERY MEDAL, ALL STRUCK FROM RUSTY DIES.

Country: Great Britain
Type: Struck
Ref. no: BHM 986; E118

Obv. Bare bust left of Wellington Rev. 35 line legend
55mm, 74.53g. UC - Uncirculated. Good patina with underlying lustre

Duke of Wellington appointed Governor of Plymouth 1819. Medal by Webb & Rouw for J. Mudie to commemorate this appointment. SUPERB CONDITION, VERY HIGH RELIEF MEDAL

Country: Great Britain
Date/mint mark: 1849
Type: Struck
Ref. no: BHM 2351; E1439

Obv. Coroneted bust of Victoria left. Around - Lords names holding cabinet positions Rev. Names of Members of House of Commons in 50 lines
95mm, 0g. AEF - About Extremely Fine, bronzed

Members of the House of Commons 1849. Medal by L. C. Lauer showing the make-up of the House of Commons and on the obverse those in the House of Lords with cabinet positions. ENORMOUS MEDAL, POLITICAL INTEREST.

Country: Japan
King (reign): Mutsuhito, Meiji (1876 - 1912)
Denomination/metal: Gold Yen, Twenty
Date/mint mark: Year 3 (1870)
Type: Milled
Ref. no: KM Y 13; JNDA 1-1, J&V L1

Obv. Japanese dragon with the value (inscribed as ???) below, the issuing authority (???) to the left, and the year of minting (in Meiji) to the right. Rev. A chrysanthemum surrounded by a wreath, a banner either side. Above the imperial seal of Japan, below the Paulovnia crest.
35mm, 33.33g. GEF - Good Extremely Fine.

The first year of the Japan 20 Yen gold series, and the only large size 20 Yen issue with a mintage over 1,000. The 'iconic' coin of the Japanese series – the 'penny black' or the 'Una and the Lion' !

Country: Great Britain
King (reign): Victoria (1837 - 1901)
Denomination/metal: Silver Penny, Six (Sixpence)
Date/mint mark: 1873
Type: Milled
Ref. no: S 3910; ESC 1727; Dav. 1079

Obv. Young, filleted bust of Victoria left Rev. Denomination crowned, in a laurel and oaken wreath. Die No. 78.
19mm, 2.82g. AS - As struck, toned with considerable lustre

Superb example – highest grade possible.

Country: Great Britain
King (reign): Victoria (1837 - 1901)
Denomination/metal: Silver Penny, Six (Sixpence)
Date/mint mark: 1874
Type: Milled
Ref. no: S 3910; ESC 1728; Dav. 1084

Obv. Young, filleted bust of Victoria left, second head Rev. Denomination crowned, in a laurel and oaken wreath. Die No. 61
19mm, 2.82g. AS - As struck, toned with considerable lustre and coloured toning

Superb example – highest grade possible.

Country: Great Britain
Date/mint mark: 1890
Type: Struck
Ref. no: BHM 3407; E1756

Obv. Crowned bust of Victoria left in laurel wreath, below stamped envelope with stage-coach and train, Royal Arms beneath Rev. Bust of Sir Rowland Hilll three-quarters right, Mulready envelope below, rose, thistle and shamrock below that.
65mm, 106.1g. GEF - Good Extremely Fine, considerable amounts of original lustre

Golden Jubilee 1890, of the Uniform Penny Postage. Medal by L.C. Lauer to commemorate this event. SUPERB CONDITION, PHILATELLIC INTEREST.

Country: Great Britain
King (reign): George VI - (1936 - 1952)
Denomination/metal: Banknote Pounds, One Million
Date/mint mark: Bank of England

0mm, 0g. VF - Small hole cancellation through signature. Light creases and some handling otherwise good very fine to about extremely fine and extremely rare.

One Million Pounds, 30 August 1948, D 000007, on Bank of England watermarked paper, PAYABLE ON DEMAND, signature of E.E. Bridges, Secretary to the Treasury, bottom right, stamped ‘CANCELLED, 6 OCT. 1948, BANK OF ENGLAND’. Monies received through the Marshall Aid plan after World War II, were subject to strict accountability. The Treasury had to borrow from the Bank of England on a short term basis and to help with the book keeping requested the printing of high value notes. The total order sent to The Bank of England printing works was for Three Hundred Million Pounds in varying denominations, starting from Twenty Five Thousand Pounds. It is believed that the entire issue was subsequently destroyed with the exception of numbers Seven and Eight for One Million Pounds which were presented to the British and American Treasury Secretaries respectively.

Country: England, Windsor King (reign): George V (1910 - 1936)
Denomination/metal: Silver Crown
Date/mint mark: 1911

Ref. no: S PS-12

Obv. Bare bust left Rev. Various
UC - Uncirculated, in original box of issue

Coins nicely and evenly patinated, box in near perfect condition – Royal Mint issue of red leather, tooled gold lettering, purple velvet and cream silk interior. These coins were issued for George's Coronation in June 1911, over a year after he succeeded to the throne.

Country: Great Britain
King (reign): George II (1727 - 1760)
Denomination/metal: Gold Guinea
Date/mint mark: 1758

Ref. no: S 3680

Obv. Laureate, long haired bust left Rev. Crowned garnished arms
24mm, 8.45g. GVF - Good Very Fine

A handsome coin and although there are traces of a little wear on the reverse, all the main details are clear. George II was the last British monarch to be born outside Britain and the last British Monarch to lead his troops into battle - against the Austrians in South Germany at Dettingen in 1743.

Country: England, Tudor
King (reign): Henry VIII (1509 - 1547)
Denomination/metal: Gold Angel
Date/mint mark: mm. castle, 1509-1513
Type First Coinage
Ref. no: Schneider 557-9; N 1760; S 2265

Obv. The Angel Michael spearing a recumbent dragon, both feet on dragon, 'hENRIC' VIII DI GRA REX AGL' Z F'. Rev. Medieval ship with Royal Arms on cross mast, 'h' and rose either side, bowsprit on right forecastle, 'PER CRUCE TVA SALVA NOS XPC RED' (By thy cross save us, Oh Christ our redeemer).
29mm, 5.02g. VF - Very Fine, good strike

Very Fine - all details generally visible, fully round, good clear face. Rare variety – not exact match in Schneider. For the first sixteen years Henry VIII's coinage followed the pattern of his father's – except that he put the 'VIII' after his name to distinguish them as they were both Henry.

Country: England
King (reign): Edward III (1327 - 1377)
Denomination/metal: Silver Sterling
Date/mint mark: Bordeaux 1344
Type French Feudal Coinage
Ref. no: Elias 56

Obv. Crowned bust half left, leopard below Rev. Long cross, crowns in angles
19mm, 1.27g. VF - Very fine

Very good example of this ’Esterlin’ struck by Edward III for circulation in his French province of Aquitaine. Rare in this condition and bearing a very interesting portrait of the king – a bust three-quarters to the left. For a long time there has been conjecture as to when exactly this issue was struck and now it is generally accepted, as argued by Elias from documentary evidence, that the most likely date of issue is 1344. Hoard evidence slightly contradicts this and points to an earlier issue time of 1335 to 1337 but the problem with this dating is that the mint at Bordeaux is thought not to have been active in these years. Either way, the issue was produced in the early years of the reign of Edward III.

Country: England, Tudor
King (reign): Elizabeth I (1558 - 1603)
Denomination/metal: Silver Testerns, Eight (Dollar)
Date/mint mark: 1600-1601 O'
Type: Hammered
Ref. no: Prid 1; S 2607a

Obv. Crowned Royal Arms dividing crowned 'ER', 'ELIZABETH D' G' ANG' FR' ET HIB' REGINA'. Rev. Crowned portcullis, 'POSVI DEVM ADIVTOREM MEVM', (I have made God my helper).
42mm, 26.95g. EF - Extremely Fine, well struck and fully rounded, good plum-grey toning

Exceptionally rare and well struck exhibiting little or no wear. Certainly one of the finest known. Superb and exceptionally rare coin. Portcullis money was struck at the Tower Mint for the use of the Governor and Company of Merchants of London and of course the East India Company. They are considered by many to be our first purely colonial issues. Basically they were produced with the intention to compete with the Spanish "pieces of eight” and were minted in denomintations of one, two, four and eight testerns and secondly to consolidate Britain's influence in the economic and commercial struggle with other would be colonisers. Unfortunately the coins were not a success and were not popular with traders in the East, who were suspicious of these new strange looking coins – preferring the accepted Spanish coins. There are only thought to be less than two hundred surving coins (of all four denoms.) of which many are in museums.

Country: Great Britain
Type: Cast
Ref. no: BHM 737; E1025

Obv. Bust left of Duke of Wellington Rev. Altar with arms of Britain, Portugal and Spain, around arms and colours
47mm, 13.35g. EF - Extremely Fine. Made of two clichees that have been joined together to produce the single medal. Consequently the inside of the medal is hollow – or is filled with soft packing and thus, in parts, the medal is a little ‘concave’.

British Army enters Madrid 1812. Medal by Wyon to celebrate the taking of Madrid on the 12th. of August 1812. The French had occupied the city from March 1808 but after losing the battle of Salamanca a few days earlier, they fled the city. RARE VARIATION OF THIS MEDAL. (UNRECORDED)

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: 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): 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): 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): 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, House of York
King (reign): Edward IV (1461 - 1470)
Denomination/metal: Gold Ryal
Date/mint mark: mm. crown only, 1466 - 1467
Type London Mint, Light Coinage
Ref. no: Schneider 364; S 1951

Obv. Crowned king in medieval ship holding sword and Royal Arms, flag with Gothic 'E' to right. No mint mark. 'EDWARD DIE GRA REX ANGL S FRANC DNS IB' (Edward by the Grace of God king of England, France, Lord of Ireland). Rev. Cross 'fleur de lise' with crowned leopards in angles, rose on star in centre, all within tressure of eight arches, small lis in angles. Crown mint mark: 'IHC AVT' TRANSIENS PER MEDIVM ILLORVM IBAT', (But Jesus, passing in the midst of them, went his way).
24mm, 7.64g. VF - Very Fine, well struck with a very small flan flaw

Very good example of this quintessential medieval coin. Uncommon in this well struck and little worn condition. This beautiful and large medieval coin, issued right in the middle of the Wars of the Roses by the Yorkist king Edward IV during his first reign. As well as being an flamboyant example of medieval art it also illustrates well England's contention to being a sea power, portraying Edward aboard a ship rather than sitting on a throne.

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, Stuart
King (reign): Charles II (1660 - 1685)
Denomination/metal: Silver Shilling
Date/mint mark: mm. crown, 1660 – 1662
Type First Hammered Issue
Ref. no: ESC 1010; N 2762; S 3308.

Obv. Crowned bust of Charles left, long hair and lace collar, no inner circle. 'CAROLVS II DG MAG BRIT FRA ET HIB REX'. Rev. Royal Arms on Cross moline, no inner circle, 'CHRISTO AVSPICE REGNO' (I reign under the auspice of Christ).
32mm, 5.9g. AEF - Almost Extremely Fine, toned

Issued in the first couple of years of the Restitution this shilling is important in two respects. Firstly it it marks the return to Latin from English and the putting back a monarch's head on coins of the realm and secondly it is the last of a series of coins that were struck by hand before Coin Mills and mechanised striking were exclusively practised by 1663. This is the first hammered issue after the Restitution and is not only rare – but exceedingly rare to find in well struck and unworn condition.

Country: England, Stuart
King (reign): Charles I (1625 - 1649)
Denomination/metal: Silver Shilling
Date/mint mark: mm. br, 1644
Type Bristol mint, 5 pellets
Ref. no: S 3015; N 2494; Brook 996

Obv. Crowned bust in lace collar left, denomination behind Rev. Three plumes over Declaration – 'REL PRO / LEG ANG / LIB PAR' (Protestant religion, English law, Liberty of parliament) and around 'EXVRGAT DEVS DISSIPENTVR INIMICI', (Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered)
31mm, 5.68g. GVF - Good Very fine, well struck on a large flan

Very rare to find in such good condition – these coins were struck in makeshift conditions – quickly and carelessly to get coin out to pay the troops – only the weight was important. This is a superb specimen in that it is strongly and centrally struck with a beautiful toning. When the Civil War began in 1642, the Tower mint fell into the hands of Parliament and Charles was forced to open a mints in Royalist held western England at Bristol, Shrewsbury and Oxford (1642 - 46). In September 1642 he made his famous 'Declaration speech' promising to uphold the Protestant Religion, the Laws of England and the Liberty of Parliament. This declaration in Latin is displayed on these western mint coins giving them the name of 'Declaration pieces'. In all a well struck rare coin in top condition with a local Bristol interest.

Country: Scotland
King (reign): William II (1694 - 1702)
Denomination/metal: Gold Pistole

Ref. no: SCBI 35, 1731-2; S 5676

Obv. Laureate, long-haired bust left. Sun in splendour rising from the sea below Rev. Crowned Royal Arms (Scotland in 1st. and 4th. Quarters) dividing crowned 'WR'
24mm, 6.76g. VF - Very Fine, metal flaw behind head

Excessively rare coin in very good condition, marvellous image of rising sun below William's bust. The pistole was the last Scottish gold coin. The issue was minted in 1701 from African gold and is associated with the ill-fated Darien adventure, an attempt by Scots merchants to establish a trading colony in Central America which eventually failed and also was instrumental to the movement of 'Union of Crowns' a few years later under Anne. The pistoles were valued at £12 Scots equivalent to £1 Sterling.

Country: England, Orange
King (reign): William (1694 - 1702)
Denomination/metal: Gold Guinea, Half
Date/mint mark: 1698
Type Second bust, late harp type
Ref. no: S 3468

Obv. Laureate, long haired bust of William right Rev. Crowned Royal Arms in cruciform, sceptres in angles, Lion of Orange in centre
20mm, 4.12g. AEF - Almost Extremely Fine

Although this is the regular issue this particular piece is a particularly nice example – only exhibiting a very small amount of wear on the upper curls of his hair by his ear in the centre of the coin. 'Heraldically' it is interesting as the coin exhibits the Rampant Lion of the House of Orange in the centre of the reverse