XPI00068 - Mary 1553 fine gold Sovereign

Mary (1553-4), fine gold Sovereign of thirty shillings, 1553, full-length seated figure of Queen facing on throne, holding orb and sceptre, lis headed pillars to throne each sides, portcullis below, surrounded by treasure and beaded circles with Latin legend and date in Roman numerals, annulet stops and mint mark pomegranate after Queen's name, mARIA:+: D': G': ANG'. FRA Z: hIB': REGInA: m:D:LIII: rev. quartered shield at centre of Tudor rose, linear circles and Latin legend surrounding, A: DnO'. FACTV'. EST: ISTV'. Z: EST: mIRA'. In: OCVL': nRIS'. weight 15.32g (Schneider 704; N.1956; S.2488). Lightly toned, a little double struck in parts of the legend, a couple of very light faint creases, two tiny black spots on left pillar, otherwise with a very good portrait of the Queen especially the face, good very fine and rare this well preserved.

The abbreviated Latin legend translates as on obverse "Mary by the Grace of God, Queen of England, France and Ireland," and on the reverse "This is the Lord's doing and it is marvellous in our eyes," a Psalm from the Bible (CXVII. 23).

These impressive fine gold Sovereigns were ordered by the first indenture of the reign with Under-Treasurer Thomas Egerton, on 20^th August 1553 at a fineness of 23 carat and 3 ½ grains (0.995 fine gold) and a face value of thirty shillings. The mint mark pomegranate follows the Queen's name on Mary's coinages and alludes to the Royal house of Aragon in Spain, through her mother Katherine of Aragon.