James I Rose Ryal, second coinage, mm trefoil (1613), AU58

James I (1603-1625), gold Rose Ryal, Second coinage (1604-1619), King in robes seated facing on throne within tressure, holding orb and sceptre, portcullis below, initial mark trefoil (1613), struck over tower both sides, IACOBVS D G MAG BRIT FRAN ET HIBER REX, pellet and contraction mark stops both sides, rev. quartered shield upon large rose, within beaded circle, A DNO FACTVM EST ISTVD ET EST MIRAB IN OCV NRIS, 13.83g (SCH -; Stewartby C/j; N 2079; S.2613). Obverse struck for lightly rusted dies, with good portrait detail, almost extremely fine and a very rare mint mark with Stewartby recording only five examples in his 2005 article, three of which were in museums, has been graded and slabbed by PCGS as AU58, the only Tower mint mark so far graded and therefore illustrated on the PCGS website.

PCGS certification 655739.58/34313457.

This is the only example that has been graded of the Tower mint mark. 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 "This is the Lord's doing and it is marvellous in our eyes" a Psalm from the Bible, which should read in full "A Domino Factum Est Istud Et Est Mirabile In Oculis Nostris".

Such large gold coins were struck in 23 and a third carat "fine" gold.

Reference:- Rose Ryals of James I 1605-17, by Lord Stewartby, British Numismatic Journal, Volume 71, 2005.

Provenance:
Ex Spink, privately purchased, March 1995.
Ex Spink Coin Auction 1012, 2^nd December 2010, lot 924.