Description
Elizabeth I (1558-1603), Half Angel, sixth issue (1583-1600), armoured depiction of Saint Michael slaying dragon with a cross tipped staff, inner beaded circle, initial mark hand (1590-92), pellet stops legend surrounding ELIZABETH DG ANG FR ET HI REGINA. Rev, ship in sail, quartered shield upon hull, large cross above, E and rose flanking, pellet stops, legend reads A DNO FACTVM EST ISTVD ET EST MIRAB, 5.09g (S.2532; N.2006; Schneider –). Set out on a broad flan with the outer borders visible, bright yellow lustrous toning both sides complimented by full and complete legends. Saint Michael showing impressive detail, some fade to the dragon. Reverse, few soft spots, the B of Mirab blocky letter puncheon, otherwise very pleasing, both mintmarks well expressed and accurate. About extremely fine for issue, rare.
This Half-Angel carrying mintmark Hand is not represented in the Schneider collection. Possibly only one other appearing at auction since the turn of the century, this being the ex Clarendon piece sold via Baldwin’s of St James’s, Auction 9, 21st September 2017, lot 1222.
