Goldberg Coins & Collectibles Auctions    
       

       

                             



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

             
            Lot 2124Great Britain. Elizabeth I (1558-1603) silver Shilling 
            (1560-61. S-2555. Second issue, of sterling fineness, struck 
            1560-61. Marlet mm. Bust 3C. Elizabethan portrait coins are in 
            furious demand worldwide. The reasons? Classic Renaissance-era 
            styling, varying and sometimes frighteningly lifelike portraits of 
            England's most brilliant queen, and the popularity of Elizabeth 
            herself as a royal subject. Fewer and fewer nice portrait coins are 
            seen on the market each year, as they are soaked up into 
            collections. This example is especially pleasing: obvious wear and 
            some surface abuse from the distant past, but overall it has 
            especially good eye-appeal and is well struck. The flan is large and 
            nearly fully round, without cracks. The portrait shows much detail 
            and is well balanced, without weak areas. Ditto the shield and all 
            legends, which are unusually clear. The metal's slight porosity is 
            totally forgiven by the handsome grayish gold color of the ancient 
            tone. All in all, a sharp coin from the beginning of Elizabeth's 
            fascinating and long reign. NGC graded VF-35. 
            Estimated Value $950-1,100. 

            Provenance: The Cheshire Collection.
             Realized $625
             


          








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