Philip and Mary gold Angel mint mark lis MS61 top of population

Philip and Mary (1554-58), fine gold Angel, of ten shillings, class 4, St Michael with large wings slaying dragon right, Latin legend with linear inner and beaded outer border surrounding on both sides, initial mark lis (August 1557-58) both sides, pellet stops with Roman lettering both sides, PHILIP. Z. MARIA. D: G: REX. Z. REGINA, rev. curve decked ship sailing right on rough sea, large quartered shield at centre, P and M above with cross, wire line inner circle and legend surrounding, A. DNO. FACTVM. EST. ISTVD. Z. EST. MIRABI., weight 5.10g (Schneider 726; N.1965; S.2496A). Toned, well struck of full weight, a little crimping on part of rim and some striking weakness on left wing of angel, otherwise has been slabbed and graded by NGC as MS61 and currently the finest graded example across both NGC and PCGS.

NGC certification 2130736-006 - currently top of the NGC population as of December 2022.

The abbreviated Latin legend translates as on obverse "Philip and Mary by the Grace of God, King and Queen of England," and on the reverse "This is the Lord's doing and it is marvellous," a Psalm from the Bible.

The accounts for the lis mintmark under Philip and Mary are missing so the gold output is unknown.

Provenance:

In stock with Sabine Bourgey, Paris circa 1993.

Ex St James Auction 11, 8th May 2009, lot 53.

Ex F. R. Kuenker, Auction 251, 3rd July 2014, lot 3066.