Elizabethan gold brings almost $11,000

Obverse and reverse of the rare and attractive second issue half pound of Elizabeth I that was sold for $10,964 by Tennants in February. (Images courtesy Tennants Auctioneers)

Among the surfeit of historic hammered and milled English gold to appear on the market in recent months, some rarities appear infrequently. The half pound or half sovereign of Elizabeth I is a case in point. An attractive example of a second issue half, S-2520, was offered by the Yorkshire-based auction house of Tennants in February.

The obverse of the 22-karat gold coin shows the young crowned bust of the monarch within a beaded inner circle. Around, the legend reads ELIZABETH D G ANG FR ET HI REGINA and is accompanied by a crosslet mintmark. The reverse legend SCVTVM FIDEI PROTEGET EAM [The shield to protect the Faith] surrounds a crowned Tudor shield that divides the “E R” monogram. The “E” is weakly struck.

The flan is almost perfectly round and the edges sound. With a few faint hairlines, it grades gVF-aEF.

On an estimate of £4,000-5,000, the half pound hammered for £6,500. With 20 percent buyer’s premium and VAT added, the total was £7,943 [$10,964] – a price well above catalog.