Description
Denomination: Silver hammered sixpence
Period: Tudor
Date: 1561
Origin: Tower mint, London
Condition: VF, good portrait, pierced for devotional use
Obverse: Crowned small bust, left, rose behind head, pheon initial mark ELIZABETH D G ANG FR ET HI REGINA
Reverse: Long cross pattee over quartered shield of arms, date above, legend around, pheon (arrowhead) initial mark POSVI DEVM ADIVTOREM MEVM
Size and Weight: 26mm. 3.02g
References: Spink 2561, N1997
Features and Provenance: Ex Wilkinson collection.
Elizabeth reigned for 44 years, but never really should have taken the throne; fate, however, must have taken a hand in her destiny as 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 (or better). Ruling until 1603, she died at the age of 70.
A remarkably good portrait, they are so often poorly struck
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 maybe worn
Fine (F). Wear on the coin and parts of legend etc may be missing or not visible
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