England (1461-64) noble Fr-130
This specimen was lot 34 in Sincona sale 75 (Zürich, May 2022), where it sold for 50,000 CHF (about US$ including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted, "Grossbritannien | Königreich. Edward IV. First Reign, 1461-1470. Noble n. d. (1461-1464), London. Heavy coinage. Mintmark lis. Äusserst selten. NGC MS64. Prachtvolle Erhaltung. (Extremely rare, Magnificent condition.)" The noble was introduced in 1344 by Edward III at a weight of 120 grains (7.77 g). Edward IV reduced the weight to 108 grains in 1461 but the coin was still worth one third of a pound or six shillings eight pence. The "light coinage" of 1464 featured the rose noble, coined at the old weight of 120 grains but now worth half a pound or ten shillings. The angel was later introduced at six shillings eight pence, the value of the old noble shown here, but weighed only 80 grains (5.18 g).
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: gold, 108 grains (6.99 g), this specimen 6.95 g.
Catalog reference: Spink 1946. Fr-130.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- Lobel, Richard, Mark Davidson, Allan Hailstone and Eleni Calligas, Coincraft's Standard Catalogue of English and UK Coins, 1066 to Date, London: Coincraft, 1995.
- Skingley, Philip, ed., Standard Catalogue of British Coins: Coins of England & the United Kingdom, 46th edition, London: Spink & Son, 2011.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 75, SINCONA British Collection - Part 2, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2022.
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