Edward III gold Noble, Pre-Treaty period series B (1351), ex Fitts

Edward III (1327-77), gold Noble of six shillings and eight pence, Fourth Coinage (1351-77), Tower Mint London, Pre-Treaty Period (1351-61), series B (1351), King standing in ship with upright sword and quartered shield, beaded circle surrounding, open E and C with Roman style M and N in legend, barred A's annulet apostrophe stops, E DWARD'o DEIo GRAo REXo ANGL'o Zo FRANCo Do hYB', rev. open E at centre of ornamental cross with lis terminals, crowns over lions in angles, lis over lion's head in upper right quarter, all within a beaded and linear tressure, fleurs in spandrels, legend with colon annulets +Ih'Eoo AVTEMoo TRANCIENSoo PERoo MEDIVoo ILLORVoo IBAToo, unbarred As with Lombardic h, weight 7.22g (Doubleday 17-18; Schneider 12/-; N.1138; S.1484). Toned, edge a little shaved at one point hence slightly light weight, otherwise with a good portrait and from a rare early series of this denomination, good very fine.

The abbreviated Latin legends translate as on the obverse "Edward by the Grace of God, King of England, Lord of Ireland and Aquitaine"; and on the reverse "But Jesus, passing through the midst of them, went His way" taken from the Bible.

This coin is an example of one of the earliest Nobles of the fourth coinage of King Edward III, there being no true series A gold apart from some Half-Nobles, and some Nobles that have a series A reverse coupled with series B.

Provenance:

Ex Seaby Coin and Medal Bulletin No.432, May 1954, item G627.

Ex Collection of Arthur M Fitts III, USA.