For its last sale of the year, Spink is shaping up to present its auction of Ancient, English and Foreign Coins and Commemorative Medals, which above all offers some truly exceptional pieces for those interested in Tudor and Stuart coinage.
Coins of the Tudor period are keenly sought by many collectors, as are other collectibles from this period. We've long since sold on our 'Tudor oddity' (a rare example from the one-off attempt to create a silver currency during the period).
Two of the highlights in Spink's sale are: a Sovereign from the second coinage (1526-44) of Henry VIII. The obverse shows the King crowned and seated facing outwards whilst sitting on the throne. He is flanked by two pillars and a portcullis appears beneath his feet.
 The high quality Henry VIII second coinage Sovereign |
The reverse shows the classic shield on rose design. It shows some light old scratches on the reverse, and weakness on the King's face, but is a well-centred coin and very rare. Once a part of the Oswald Fitch collection, it is expected to sell for £30,000-40,000.
Items related to Henry VIII always hold a special fascination for collectors. We've sold two documents signed by the charismatic King in recent times, both for £48,000.
We have three more currently on offer in our manuscripts for sale section, all of them are very valuable and all covered by our unique 120% guarantee, but in particular there is a letter marking Henry's personal attempt to have a divorce allowed by the Pope, which most would expect to be in a museum.
 The extremely rare Mary I Ship Ryal coin |
The Henry VIII coin is not the expected top lot at Spink, however. That honour is predicted to go to a Ryal from the reign of Mary I, specifically her initial period of sole rule (1553-4).
The obverse shows the Queen crowned and standing facing out, in a ship with a flag with letter m on the bow castle and rose on the hull. She is holding a sword in her right hand and left hand resting on shield.
The reverse shows a rose over a radiate sun over a floriate cross, with a crowned leopard in the gaps. It is an unusually full round and well struck example with an attractive portrait, light crease, a small striking crack by the tassle in the centre on the obverse, but otherwise it is in good very fine condition and extremely rare.
 Alfonso I D'este Gold Doppio Ducato (Double Ducat) (Click to find out more) |
Mary I ship ryals are extremely rare - only five examples have been offered at auction in the last 60 years, and Mary's desirability amongst numismatists is not to be underestimated - a portrait medal of the Queen by Jacopo da Trezzo reset the world record prize in 2009 that it had previously set in 2005.
In this case the coin is expected to achieve £80,000-100,000.
We're currently offering a coin of similar rarity from the Tudor period, though from Italy: an Alfonso I D'este (1505-1534), Gold Double Ducat, which collectors of the period may find difficult to resist.
