Silver half-groat - Elizabeth 1st - (1533-1603) - Ref. 22AP
Elizabeth 1st of England (1533 - 1603) ruled England and Ireland wisely and was known for her tolerance in many aspects, especially in Religion. Often referred to as "Good Queen Bess", the "Virgin Queen" and "Gloriana", she was the last of the Tudor line. Although she was the daughter of Henry VIII, she was far more moderate in all her council. This was the beginning of the Elizabethan Era, famous for its playwrights such as William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe.
She surrounded herself with numerous, trusted advisers, the likes of William Cecil and Baron Burghley. A quarrel with the Pope - who, in 1570, declared Elizabeth illegitimate, led her to form the English Protestant Church, which evolved into today's Church of England.
Recent naval archaeological history shows that Elizabeth instituted new rules regarding warfare and all cannons on her ships were to conform to a strict similar pattern. All cannon balls had to be the same, all cannons were cast to a single design. Through this plan, the British navy took on a new dimension and became greatly feared as a sea-faring nation. Although not overly interested in warfare, she had to contend with the Spanish Armada (which was defeated) and became known as one of the greatest naval victories in the English history.
This was also the time of exploration and England saw the emergence of Sir Francis Drake.
It was during the reign of Elizabeth that the new 'crown' gold standard was established, creating the twenty shillings equaling one pound. The medieval Groat was superseded by the shilling and the sixpence and copper coinage was suggested as a base metal for smaller denominations.
The coin shown above was found by metal detecting in Britain. It is silver and measures just 16mm in diameter, weighing 0.94 grams.
Look carefully at the monarch's head, just to the right you will notice two 'pellets' indicating that this was two-pence.
This is a 'Hammered" coin - Hammered coins were produced by placing a thin sheet of metal, either gold, silver, bronze or copper, between two dies, and striking the top die as to create an image on each side. Experimentation with machinery to produce coins was attempted at this time but was soon abandoned.
The above coin is in fair condition, but, like so many of the Elizabethian coins of the day, the monarch's head has been badly worn.
This a genuine antique. Please remember the classification of an 'antique' is that it should be 100 years old, OR MORE. There are many articles being offered as 'antiques' when, clearly, they are not.
Price R350.00
Post R25.00
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