England 1555 shilling
This specimen was lot 31596 in Heritage sale 3076 (Long Beach, CA, September 2019), where it sold for $5,520. The catalog description[1] noted, "Great Britain: Philip II of Spain & Mary I (1554-1558) Shilling 1555 AU50 NGC. A selection of significantly better quality than what is often encountered for the type, with not only most of the detail remaining, but the devices lightened from gentle circulation rub and contrasting in delightful fashion against the lower lying steel-toned features. The finest example of the type seen by NGC, and an offering that is difficult if not impossible to ignore or put down without a second look of admiration." This coin was hammered, not machine struck; weak and off-center strikes are normal. This coin was issued during Mary's brief marriage to Philip II of Spain, hence the dual portraits.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver.
Catalog reference: S-2501.
- Skingley, Philip, ed., Standard Catalogue of British Coins: Coins of England & the United Kingdom, 46th edition, London: Spink & Son, 2011.
- Lobel, Richard, Mark Davidson, Allan Hailstone and Eleni Calligas, Coincraft's Standard Catalogue of English and UK Coins, 1066 to Date, London: Coincraft, 1995.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano and Warren Tucker, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3076, featuring the Allen Moretti Swiss Collection and the James Mossman Collection of Canadian Coinage, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2019.
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