Edward III Half-Noble Transitional Treaty period XF40, cursing type reverse

Edward III (1327-77), gold Half-Noble of three shillings and four pence, Tower Mint London, Transitional Treaty Period (1361-63), with abbreviated name of King and error reverse omitting "me" after "Domine", King standing in ship with upright sword and quartered shield, no bowsprit to ship, right forecastle does not break inner circle, beaded circle surrounding, ED'x DEI'x GRA'x REX'x AnGL'x D nS'x hIB'x AQ, rev. large E at centre of ornamental cross with lis terminals, crowns over lions in angles, lis over lion in upper right quadrant, all within a beaded and linear tressure, fleurs in spandrels, legend +DomInExx Inxx FVRORExx TVOxx ARGVTSxx mE (Schneider -/59-60; Lawrence dies C/9-10; Doubleday 175 this coin; N.1223; S.1500). Lightly toned, a little uneven in shape, weak in parts, has been slabbed and graded by NGC as XF40 and a very obverse die variety with a very abbreviated name of King as well as the more desirable "cursing noble reverse".

NGC Certification 3892954-010.

The abbreviated Latin legends translate as on the obverse "Edward by the Grace of God, King of England, Lord of Ireland "; and on the reverse "O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger" a Psalm from the Bible.

Accounting records for London show some 22,000 pounds in weight of gold was coined in the two years of this period which equated to approximately £329,000 worth of currency in gold. This particular issue with abbreviated legend, no bowsprit and cursing reverse legend would be restricted to a very limited number of dies probably a mere fraction of this total.

Provenance:

Ex Gordon V. Doubleday, Collection of coins of Edward III, Glendining, 7-8^th June 1972, lot 175 - sold for £200