James I gold Laurel, mm rose, error variety with inverted lions in shield

James I (1603-25), gold Laurel of Twenty Shillings, error variety with all lions in reverse shield inverted, third coinage (1619-25), third laureate and draped bust left, S style ties at rear of bust, value behind, legend and beaded borders surrounding on both sides, initial mark rose (1620-21), IACOBVS D: G: MAG: BRI: FRA: ET HIB: REX., rev. long cross fourchée over crowned quartered shield of arms, all trios of lions in shield inverted, terminal mark rose, FACIAM EOS. IN GENTEM VNAM, weight 8.93g (cf.Schneider 84; N.2112; S.2638A). Some light weakness in parts of legend, hairline scratches in fields and old pawnbroker mark to left of shield on reverse, otherwise good very fine with very clear shield devices and the error lions, the only example the cataloguer has ever seen in over 15 years of looking having originally sold this coin to the British collection cited below around that long ago having purchased it from Lloyd Bennett who had first discovered it, presumably of the highest rarity.

8.93 grams of 22 carat gold. Made in the UK.

HS Code 9705 3100

The abbreviated Latin legends translate as on the obverse "James by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland" and on the reverse as "I will make them one nation," taken from the Bible.

The original pyx trial records show that £162,898 of 22 carat crown gold was struck for this mint mark from 24^th June 1620 until 8^th June 1621, which is one of the smaller mintages when compared across the mint marks of the third coinage.

Provenance:

Ex Lloyd Bennett, Monmouth, circa 2006-7 who discovered this variety.

Ex Dr Rolf Baumhauer, British gold Collection, Sincona Auction 75, 11^th May 2022, lot 89 - the error unnoticed and sold as an ordinary gold Laurel.