Great Britain (1621-23) rose ryal Fr-239
This specimen was lot 20274 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (Newport Beach, CA, January 2021), where it sold for $33,600. The catalog description[1] noted, "GREAT BRITAIN. Rose Ryal, ND (1621-23). London Mint; im: Thistle. James I. PCGS AU-58 Gold Shield. Third issue, fine gold coinage. Obverse: James seated facing on elaborate throne, head turned slightly left, holding lis-tipped scepter and orb; portcullis below; Reverse: Coat-of-arms over long cross fourchee; XXX (mark of value = 30 shillings) above; lis, lion, and rose alternating around. Well centered and struck on an attractive, broad flan, this immense gold denomination presents extraordinary detail and craftsmanship. One need only look to the obverse, where numerous lis and roses form the background behind the throne, while even smaller lis decorate the cushion against which the king sits. There is even great care taken to aspects of his attire, such as the ruffling of the collar and the detail given to the Order chain worn around his neck. A truly majestic specimen from late in the reign of this successor to Elizabeth I." This rose ryal of James' third issue was accompanied by a spur ryal (Fr-240), angel, laurel (Fr-242) and half laurel (Fr-243). With the accession of James I we drop "England" as the country name and adopt the current "Great Britain."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13 g, 0.995 fine gold.
Catalog reference: S-2632; Fr-239; N-2108; KM-66.1.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- 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.
- 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]Orsini, Matt, Richard Ponterio and Kyle Ponterio, The January 2021 NYINC Sale: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, featuring the Oro del Nuevo Mundo and Matt Orsini Collections, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2020.
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