Artwork Page for Sovereign of Thirty Shillings: Elizabeth I (obverse); Shield of Arms on Tudor Rose (reverse)

Details / Information for Sovereign of Thirty Shillings: Elizabeth I (obverse); Shield of Arms on Tudor Rose (reverse)

Sovereign of Thirty Shillings: Elizabeth I (obverse); Shield of Arms on Tudor Rose (reverse)

1583–1603

England, Elizabeth I, 1558-1603

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Medium
gold
Measurements
Diameter: 4.3 cm (1 11/16 in.)
Weight: 15.266 g (0.54 oz.)
Credit Line
The Norweb Collection 1969.181
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Did You Know?

The denomination of this coin was so high that as a piece of money it was meant only for the aristocracy or royalty.

Description

A point of interest of this very rare piece is the initial mark. The mark, in the shape of a crosslet, and visible at the start of the inscription, dates the die to 1560–61. However here it has been over stamped with another mark, an A, used in 1583–85. This indicates the reuse of the die of the first coinage during the third coinage period. The restoration of the coinage to its proper fineness was completed during this reign. In 1562 a proclamation had been issued reducing the value of all coinage by one third. It was restored to full value again in 1572, when a new coinage was ordered at the old values. There would still be economic troubles ahead, however.
Two sides of a gold coin with an inscription circling an image on both sides (see "Inscriptions" field). On the left, an enthroned, stylized woman wears a crown and holds a scepter and orb. On the right, wavy petals suggest a rose surrounding a coat of arms divided into four sections. The upper left and lower right sections feature three stylized fleur-de-lis lilies and the remaining sections three elongated and barely discernable lions.

Sovereign of Thirty Shillings: Elizabeth I (obverse); Shield of Arms on Tudor Rose (reverse)

1583–1603

England, Elizabeth I, 1558-1603

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