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World Gold Coins
J
AMES
I R
OSE
R
YAL
3428
Great Britain. Rose Ryal, ND
. S.2613; Fr-230. James I,
1603-1625. Mint mark, escallop. Struck in the period 1606-
1607. Second coinage (1604-1619). King James enthroned,
holding orb and scepter, facing, portcullis at feet, back of
throne with scrolling. Reverse, shield of arms over rose.
The centers of the coin are sharply struck, all lettering clear,
and free from any marks or abrasions. Struck on a large
round flan, with practically no evidence of wear. Surfaces
are lustrous and original. One of the finest surviving speci-
mens.
This was the last of the large 'Sovereign'series of coins
which began with the Henry VII in 1489, and continued
with the Sovereigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary and
Elizabeth I. All of these rare coins feature the monarch,
crowned and seated.
PCGS graded AU-53.
WINGS
APPROVED
.
* This coin was minted just three or four years after James
began his reign, and shortly after the famous 'Gunpowder
Plot.'In 1603 Queen Elizabeth I had died and was suc-
ceeded by King James VI of Scotland, the son of Mary
Queen of Scots and Lord Darnley. He became James I of
England, and united the two thrones. James had a love of
pomp and ceremony (and his coinage was ornate and var-
ied) but he alienated the Puritans by his High Church views,
and Parliament by his assertion of the divine rights of mon-
archy. His many favorites, such as Buckingham, and his
schemes for an alliance with Spain dented his initial popu-
larity with the public, but despite his shortcomings he man-
aged to avoid war and major financial problems. The
contemporary description of James as 'The wisest fool in
Christendom'seems remarkably appropriate.
Estimated Value .................................... $30,000 - 35,000
C
HARLES
I U
NITE
3429
Great Britain. Unite, ND
. S.2620; Fr-234. James I, 1603-
1625. Second coinage, fifth bust. Mint mark cinquefoil
(1613-1615). Obverse, crowned half- length bust of king
right, holding orb and sceptre. Reverse, square topped
shield of arms with I R (Iacobus Rex) at sides. Mint state
and glowing with original golden luster, this coin has one of
the finest portraits of King James that I have seen. These
coins were crudely made and irregular-shaped and few
pieces of this quality have survived. Struck on a large round
flan it is more attractive than the Thomas Law Collection,
Marshall Collection, Cheshire Collection, Eliasburg Collec-
tion, Schneider Collection and Samuel King Collection spec-
imens.
NGC graded AU-58.
WINGS APPROVED
.
* This coin was minted in the middle of James's reign, circa
1613-1615. The king had survived the Gunpowder Plot of
1605, and despite his many failings he managed to keep
the nation on an even keel. Perhaps his most enduring
achievement was in the sphere of religion. He commis-
sioned a translation of the Bible. Published in 1611 it
became known as the Authorized Version, famous for its
beauty of language. When James died in 1625, a prema-
turely senile figure at the age of fifty nine, he was not the
most beloved of monarchs. But generally, it was agreed
that this unlikely king had succeeded where his more illus-
trious forebears - and English cousins - had failed. He had
united the kingdoms of England and Scotland and main-
tained peace in his realm.
Estimated Value ........................................ $4,500 - 5,000
