Elizabeth I gold Pound of 20-Shillings mm. woolpack (1594-6)

Elizabeth I (1558-1603), gold Pound of Twenty Shillings, sixth issue (1583-1600), crowned bust in ruff and elaborate dress left, Latin legend and outer beaded border on both sides, initial mark woolpack both sides but at end of obverse legend (1594-96), ELIZABETH; D; G; ANG; FRA; ET. HI; REGINA., rev. crowned quartered shield, E to left, R to right, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, annulet stops, SCVTVM. FIDEI. PROTEGET. EAM., weight 11.17g (Schneider -/799; N.2008; S.2534). Once cleaned with some light toning, skilfully tooled around final letter of legend and corresponding part of reverse with a little smoothing, otherwise a bold very fine with an imposing portrait.

The abbreviated Latin legends translate as on the obverse "Elizabeth, by the Grace of God, Queen of England, France and Ireland"; and on the reverse "The shield of faith shall protect her."

An indenture of the 3rd June 1593 with Sir Richard Martin allowed for the reintroduction of crown gold (0.917 fine) denominations of Pounds, Half-Pounds, Crowns and Halfcrowns whilst the fine gold indenture of 1583 was still in effect. The second mint mark of the crown gold coinage was the woolpack, and it has been estimated by Brown and Comber that the output for this mint mark was £42,739 worth, with an additional £2,652 worth of fine gold struck, which represents the fourth largest gold output of the reign.