Elizabeth I Half-Pound 6th issue, mm woolpack, finest graded MS63

Elizabeth I (1558-1603), gold Half-Pound of ten shillings, struck in 22 carat crown gold, sixth issue (1583-1600), finely engraved crowned bust in ruff and elaborate dress left, crown breaks inner beaded circle, Latin legend and beaded border surrounding, initial mark woolpack (1594-96) both sides, ELIZABETH. D'.G'. ANG'. FRA'. ET. HI'. REGINA., rev. crowned quartered shield of arms, E to left, R to right, Latin legend and beaded borders surrounding, SCVTVM. FIDEI. PROTEGET. EAM., weight 5.55g (Schneider 810; Brown and Comber G26; N.2009; S.2535A). Light red pleasing tone, has been slabbed and graded by NGC as MS63, currently the finest graded at both services, very rare this well preserved.

NGC Certification 5880691-004.

We note that this coin is currently as of November 2020 the finest graded Half-Pound of Elizabeth I of all issues across both services, with the next finest being a 62+ milled piece also for sale on this website.

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.

Provenance:
Ex A. H. Baldwin and Sons Ltd, London, purchased 1995.

Ex Christopher H. Comber Collection, Part I, Baldwin of St James Auction 50, 15th October 2020, lot 38.