Description
Denomination: Silver milled groat RARE
Period: Tudor
Date: 1561-1571
Origin: Tower mint, London
Condition: AVF, neat round flan, weak areas to portrait, small knock to edge
Obverse: Crowned bust, left, elaborately decorated dress, *ELIZABETH D G ANG FRA ET HIB REGINA
Reverse: Long cross pattee over quartered shield of arms, legend around, star initial mark POSVI DEVM ADIVTORE M MEVM
Size and Weight: 23mm, 1.89g
References: Spink 2601
Features and Provenance:
This was the first time that coins had not been produced by the anvil and hammer process. The French moneyer, Eloye Mestrelle, introduced a press that was powered by a horse drawn mill, it produced superior coins but took much longer and proved inefficient. It was withdrawn ten years later and he was later hanged for counterfeiting, although it is thought that these claims were invented. So called ‘milled coinage’ would not be seen again for another hundred years.
Elizabeth reigned for 44 years, but never really should have taken the throne; fate, however, must have taken a hand in her destiny and it knew better than her father what she could achieve. There were numerous obstacles in her way: at that time only men were allowed to be monarchs, Henry’s young son Edward was the legitimate heir to the throne, there was also her elder sister; so she was third in line to the throne. There was also the problem that Henry (and later Edward) declared her illegitimate after the execution of her mother, Anne Boleyn. It seemed everything was against her. After Henry’s death, Edward VI took the throne but only reigned for six years, dying at the age of fifteen. Mary, the next in line, only lasted five years, so it was left to Elizabeth to show them that a woman could be as effective on the English throne as a man could (or better). Ruling until 1603, she died at the age of 70.
Condition Summary. This varies with the age of coin and there are grades between
Uncirculated (U). As struck with no traces of wear
Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear, all parts of legend etc present, visible and clear
Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief, all parts of legend etc present, but may be worn
Fine (F). Wear on the coin and parts of legend etc may be missing or not visible
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