Elizabeth I 1558 - 1603

When Elizabeth I ascended the throne in 1558, she boldly set about improving the quality of England’s coinage following the debasement of silver under her father Henry VIII. Throughout her reign large quantities of silver coins were produced, the silver was often obtained from raiding Spanish ships. Many silver denominations were produced under Elizabeth’s reign, from the Rare Crowns and Halfcrowns, the mass produced shillings and sixpences, and the more unusual small denominations — groats, threepences, half-groats, three-halfpence, pennies, three-farthings, and halfpenny. These small denominations were very popular with merchants and small traders. Elizabethan pennies are very small, and are often found creased or bent. The obverse bears the legend E D G ROSA SINE SPINA — Elizabeth by the grace of God a rose without a thorn — around a left-facing bust of the queen, while the reverse bears the legend CIVITAS LONDON — City of London. We are delighted to offer you a very small group of Elizabeth I Pennies, they were minted at the Tower Mint in London. Each is in Very Good or Fine condition with a clear depiction of the Queen. These are fantastic little coins, each is at least 420 years old, struck in Sterling Silver and bears the portrait of Elizabeth I.

When Elizabeth took the throne in 1558, much of the country’s coinage was in a poor state after her father, Henry VIII’s debasement of silver coins. It was Elizabeth’s intention to raise the quality of the country’s coinage back up to Sterling quality, and in 1560, the Tower mint began striking her Fine Silver coins. They feature Elizabeth facing left on the obverse and cross over a shield on the reverse, they were struck between 1560 and 1602 and are getting very expensive in higher grades. For the first time in 13 years, we’re able to offer you Elizabeth I’s Fine Silver shillings, they are graded Fair as these were heavily circulated for about a century and are now up to 463 years old.

Bust 6B, S.2577. Good Very Fine and toned. A slight flan flaw to the obverse that doesn't detract from this excellent portrait and absolutely superb depiction of the Hand mintmark, scarce.

Shillings of Elizabeth are very popular and can cost £1000 in higher grades. The shilling is struck in sterling silver and depicts the Queen on the obverse with cross over shield on the reverse. They are undated but were minted in 1560-61 (1558-60 are Rare), before a pause in production for 21 years, then production resumed from 1582 until the end of her reign in 1602. The only way to determine their date is by the mint mark above the Queen and at the start of the reverse legend. Keep an eye out for the Crescent mintmark – the year of the Spanish Armada (1588). This is the first time we have offered these popular and historic coins in VG grade – they are very well circulated but will have an outline portrait although details may be worn. Please NOTE: PHOTOGRAPHY IS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COIN SUPPLIED

When Elizabeth I (1558-1603) ascended the throne in 1558, she boldly set about improving the quality of England’s coinage following the debasement of silver under her father Henry VIII. Throughout her reign, large quantities of silver coins were produced, and much of the silver was obtained from raiding Spanish ships. Many silver denominations were produced under Elizabeth’s reign, from the Rare Crowns and Halfcrowns, the mass-produced shillings and sixpences, and the more unusual small denominations — groats, threepences, half-groats, three-halfpence, pennies, three-farthings, and halfpenny. The silver sixpence was one of the most popular denominations. They feature a portrait of the Queen facing left with Tudor rose behind, the reverse features a long cross fourchée over quartered shield of arms, with the date above (1560-1601), and Latin legend reading “I Have Made God My Helper”. We are delighted to offer you Elizabeth I sixpences from the Tower Mint in London. Each is in Very Good condition with a clear depiction of the Queen. These are fantastic coins, each is over 420 years old, struck in Sterling Silver, and bears the portrait of Elizabeth I. Perfect for your growing Elizabeth I Collection. The coins are all dated on the reverse, because of the thinness of the planchet the designs are not struck up as well as modern coins. But they were issued in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.