Goldberg Coins & Collectibles Auctions    
       

       

                             



Sale 31: The Pre-Long Beach Auction May 30 - June 1, 2005
             

             
            Lot 2115Great Britain. Crown, 1551. S.2478; Dav-8245. Edward VI, 
            equestrian, facing to the right, date below. S-2478. The first dated 
            English coin! Mintmark "Y". Fine-silver issue of 1551-53. Most 
            examples seen of this type are dated 1553, and even they are now 
            rare above Fine condition. But a 1551 in this condition? This is a 
            coin almost never encountered! The great Slaney Collection had one, 
            sharper than this but it sold in 2003 for 42,000 Pounds (about 
            $76,000 at the time). We are not sure of the value of the present 
            specimen, which is particularly well struck showing sharpness in the 
            important features of the design, very little wear, none of the 
            double-striking usually associated with this crown type, and it's 
            also on a lovely, large, round flan. King Edward was only 14 when 
            this coin was minted, son of Henry VIII by Jane Seymour, in fact 
            Henry's only son. Henry's obsessive desire for a male heir of course 
            caused the great schism between the Catholic church and himself, 
            leading to the establishment of the Church of England. Edward's 
            health had been fragile since birth, and the unfortunate lad died of 
            tuberculosis in July 1553. He had no time to make a mark on his 
            world, except perhaps numismatically, for his coins are classic 
            works of Renaissance art, and this, his silver crown, became the 
            very first in a long line of beautifully engraved, emblematic, large 
            silver issues of England and later of Great Britain. This specimen 
            is believed by the owner to be one of the finest in existence, and 
            it's difficult to gainsay that suggestion. We are giving a wide but 
            fairly modest estimate, considering the whopping price achieved two 
            years ago for the Slaney specimen. This coin is not in the same 
            league with the Slaney piece but it is nonetheless one of the best 
            pieces to hit the market in some years. NGC graded EF-45. 
            Estimated Value $10,000-15,000. 

            Provenance: The Cheshire Collection.
             Realized $20,000
             


          








Courtesy Ira & Larry Goldberg Auctioneers, Beverly Hills, CA. www.goldbergcoins.com