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Tyrants of the Thames
85
SILVER SHILLING (1554-1558)
Philip & Mary, Tudor Queen & Spanish Consort, 1554-1558
London. Facing busts with full titles, undated. Many known pieces were intentionally defaced by those
who hated Mary’s Catholic union. The facing portraits is a style that appears on no other English coin;
artistically it was borrowed from the earlier Spanish coins of Ferdinand & Isabella. Once the reign ended
upon Mary’s death, and Philip departed, the design was abandoned forever. On a broad flan with a tiny
crack but full letters on the legends, complete beaded rims, and well-outlined portraits (the key problem
in locating a good example of this issue), as well as very pleasing light gray patina.
S-2498. N-1967. PCGS-graded VF35.
86
GOLD FINE SOVEREIGN (1584/5-1587)
Elizabeth I, Tudor Queen, 1558-1603
London. Sixth issue of 1583-1600. Escallop mintmark on each side. Rare. The design continues the
classic motifs first seen in the reign of Henry VII: the monarch faces the viewer in a full-length robed
image, enthroned, holding golden orb and scepter, a tressure behind her and a portcullis at her feet, while
the reverse displays a full-blown Tudor rose with the royal shield at its center. A great Tudor rarity. A
fabulous, boldly struck example on a broad flan showing fully detailed legends, on a wonderful flan with
superb gold color.
S-2529. N-2003. PCGS-graded MS63.