Great Britain (1621-23) crown Dav-3760
This specimen was lot 41327 in Stack's Bowers Summer 2026 Global Showcase Auction (Pittsburgh, August 2026), where it sold for $3,416. The catalog description[1] noted, "GREAT BRITAIN. Crown, ND (1621-23). London Mint; mm: Thistle. James I. NGC EF-45. Third coinage. Obverse: James, holding sword and reins, riding caparisoned horse trotting right; Reverse: Garnished square-topped coat-of-arms. The finest known example certified for the type. A beautifully preserved survivor, this specimen exhibits a bold strike and remarkably even wear. The surfaces are blanketed in a rich, deeply layered cabinet patina that lends the coin immense visual character and undeniable eye appeal. Possessing a completely original, unmolested appearance, this exceptional piece is guaranteed to capture the attention of advanced numismatists and ignite spirited competition on the auction floor." Silver crowns of five shillings were struck only sporadically during the reign of James I; the primitive equipment in the Tower Mint struggled to cope with such large coins. They are rare and popular, causing them to be expensive. They come with (KM 64) or without plumes over the shield on the reverse (KM 63, shown here).
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 30.10 g, 0.925 fine silver.
Catalog reference: Dav-3760; S-2664; N-2120.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1600-1700, Galesburg, IL, 1974.
- 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]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, Summer 2026 Global Showcase Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2026.
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