Elizabethan Coin – Silver Sixpence Greek Cross – London 1580

Description

Header: Elizabethan coin – silver sixpence Greek Cross – London 1580

Denomination: Silver sixpence

Period: Tudor

Date: 1580

Origin: London mint, Fifth issue

Condition: VF

Obverse: Crowned bust facing left, rose behind, Greek cross mint mark, ELIZABETH DG ANG FR ET REGINA

Reverse: Square-topped shield with long cross fourchee, POSVI DEV ADIVTOREM MEU

Size and Weight: 25mm, 2.45g

References: Sear 2572

Features and Provenance: At the date of this coin, Elizabeth I had been on the English throne for twenty years. She had her favourites in court, usually young men, and one of these was Francis Drake the sailor and explorer. She sponsored him to attempt to circumnavigate the world (of course collecting whatever treasures he could amass at the same time) and left in December 1577 in the ship the Pelican. In 1578 he passed through the Straits of Magellan in his newly named ship, Golden Hind. On his return, Elizabeth knighted him (by proxy) on the Golden Hind in 1581. A French diplomat was asked to do the ‘dubbing’ which was a move to gain French support.

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