British Coins

Elizabeth I, sixth issue, ‘crown gold’ coinage, pound, mm. woolpack (1594-96), bust 8A left, ELIZABETH D G ANG FRA ET HI REGINA, rev. crowned shield of arms, ER at sides, SCVTVM FIDEI PROTEGET EAM, annulet stops, wt. 11.22gms. (S.2534; N.2008; cf. Schneider 797; Brown & Comber F8), beautifully centred dies, bold legends, struck on a broad flan with the outer beaded rims mostly visible, obverse die showing central wear, about as struck, very rare so well preserved
Purchased Knightsbridge Coins, 2001.
The woolpack initial (or mint) mark is especially appropriate on this denomination, for the coins made of ‘crown gold’ (22 ct, or .917 fine) were often used in foreign business and frequently for payments in the Flemish wool trade. This initial mark was used on dies which struck coins from 9 May 1594 to 13 February 1596. Production of gold money was slowing down by the 1590s and in fact, after the ryal ceased being issued, there was a continual minting of gold pounds, half-pounds and crowns—but no more ‘fine gold’ pieces. After 1592, only ‘angel gold’ (23 ct, .995 fine) was minted: the ‘fine sovereign’ together with the angel and its fractions. This gold pound is a particularly pleasing example of this late coinage.