LOT #31074 |
Current Bid: $105,000
Great Britain: Elizabeth I (1558-1603) gold "Ship" Ryal of 15 Shillings ND (1584-1586) MS63 NGC,...
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Description
Impeccable and Extremely Desirable "Ship" Ryal in Choice Designation
Elizabeth I (1558-1603) gold "Ship" Ryal of 15 Shillings ND
(1584-1586) MS63 NGC, Tower mint, S-2530, N-2004,
Schneider-784, Fr-210. 117.2 grains. Escallop mm. Sixth issue. With
Gold WINGS sticker. Obverse, Queen standing in ship sailing to
left, wearing ornate dress and ruff, holding orb and sceptre. A
rose on ship's side, with E on banner at bow, single lis to left of
rose, lion between two lis to right. ELIZAB: D; G: ANG: FR: ET HIB
REGINA. Reverse, floriated cross with rose on radiant sun at
center, crowned lions in the angles. IHS AVT TRANSIENS PER MEDIV
ILLORVM IBAT.One of the most iconic and intensely hunted pieces in British numismatics and among some of the last coinage to be struck in this medieval design style. Every space of the flan is embellished with heraldic symbols and Lombardic lettering that draw attention to the main theme of the coin: the last and longest reigning Monarch of the House of Tudor, Elizabeth I. This type was offered by our firm five year ago in April of 2020, graded in a MS64 and appearing to have a thicker ruff (Auction 3083, Lot 31075). Although that piece was graded one point higher, the face of Elizabeth I lacked the detailing that is captured in this example here, where a soft honey-gold glow radiates from the fields, testifying to the remarkable care with which this treasure has been preserved. These breathtaking types are certainly ultra-rarities when located this pristine, but this piece is only heightened further by its proud gold WINGS sticker and impeccable list of provenances. It was sold as a highlight of the Thomas Law collection in 2013, and at one time was a piece in both the remarkable collections of the Reverend Mallinson and W. Clarkson. When offered as a highlight of the Thomas Law Collection in 2013, the coin was described as, "A beautifully designed type with exquisite detail and die workmanship, this rarity comes from the Mallinson collection sale and boasts of an older pedigree (W. Clarkson, Sotheby, 1904). Reverend Mallinson was a superb caretaker of his magnificent cabinet, just as Mr. Law was. The reverse displays frosty luster and has the appearance of a mint state example. Overall, a wonderful example of a coin that is virtually impossible to obtain." Notably there was no example of an Elizabeth I Ryal in the Millennia coin collection or the gold collections of Slaney, Norweb, Eliasberg, Dr Paul Broughton, or Samuel King. This is a spectacular opportunity to acquire a high-quality piece that is considered one of the greatest numismatic rarity of the Elizabethan era and one that would make a great trophy in an advanced cabinet.
Following the death of Henry VIII, Elizabeth I ruled from 1558 to 1603, overseeing England's rise as a naval power, the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, and the beginnings of American colonization; in 1584, Walter Raleigh named Virginia in her honor, the 'Virgin Queen.' Inspired by gold captured from Spanish galleons and Francis Drake's plundering of Spanish ships, her reign saw the striking of many coins, the most impressive being the 'Ship' Ryal. Produced between 1584 and 1586, the iconic gold coin is the premier numismatic rarity of the Elizabethan era. Only a handful were minted, generally in low grade, showing Elizabeth magnificently aboard a ship as a symbol of 'Britannia' ruling the waves. The Ryal embodies Elizabeth in her pomp and England's emergence as a global sea power, remaining both a rare masterpiece of English history and a memento of America's birth. Celebrated for her strength, pageantry, and devotion to her people-immortalized in her Golden Speech of 1601-Elizabeth was deeply revered, and when she died in 1603 the first Elizabethan age came to an end.
The Ryal was always a slightly controversial type, representing an attempt during Edward IV's first reign to simplify the confusion of circulating gold denominations by producing the equivalent of a 'Half Sovereign' worth 10 Shillings. However, as the Noble of 6 Shillings 8 Pence was by then the accepted standard, the Ryal was ultimately unsuccessful and replaced shortly afterwards by the famous Angel. Despite its initial unpopularity, the 10 Shilling Ryal reared its head once again in Henry VII's reign, and again in Mary's reign (then worth 15 Shillings to match the 30 Shilling Sovereign). By the time of Elizabeth's reign it was a far from necessary denomination and was produced solely for trade in the Netherlands, in a failed attempt to extract profit from the arbitrarily higher price Ryals traded for in the Low Countries. Elizabeth's coinage is especially noteworthy for the remarkable variety of denominations issued over her 45-year reign. Among them, the Ryal stands out as the rarest, having been struck in extremely limited numbers.
Ex. Ira & Larry Goldberg Auction 96 (February 2017, Lot 2297); Mallinson Collection; W. Clarkson Collection (Sotheby 1904); Thomas H. Law Collection
From the Cara Collection of Highly Provenanced British Rarities, Part II
Metal: Gold
Diameter: 34mm
More information about Great Britain Coins. See also: Great Britain World Coin Nationality.
Estimate: $100,000 - $150,000.
View all of [The Cara Collection of Highly Provenanced British Rarities, Part II ]
Auction Info
2025 November 6 - 7 World & Ancient Coins Platinum Session and Signature® Auction #3126 (go to Auction Home page)
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