Description
Philip and Mary (1554-58), Angel, class IV, initial mark lis both sides (c.1557-58), St Michael of old style, slaying dragon right with a stylised cross crosslet style spear, smaller wing variety, inner linear circle surrounding, pellet stops, legend surrounds PHILIP Z MARIA D G REX Z REGINA, no stop after A. Rev, flat decked ship sailing right, quartered shield of arms at centre, P and M above flanking cross, legend commences, A DNO FACTVM EST ISTVD Z EST MIRAB, 5.09g (S.2496; N.1965; Schneider 727 var, ).
A superlative example struck on a fully centred flan, legends and initial marks clear and concise both sides; with especially bold cross hatching on St Michaels legs. The flat decked ship and quartered shield of arms pleasingly intact, with the faintest wear to the top right shield, three quarters of the waves showing distinct striations. Bold good very fine, in places nearer to extremely fine, very rare.
Ex Spink Auction 81, 19th November 1990, lot 29.
Ex Mark Rasmussen, List 13, Autumn 2007.
The fine Gold Angels of Philip & Mary are the largest denominations available in the series, classed as very rare, with no definitive mintage figures ready at hand, and lesser so for the extremely rare half-angel. The ones carrying Philip’s title were struck for about a year between 1557-58, all are recorded by Schneider as Class IV.
They appear to broadly be divided between the following i) old style small wing variety, flat decked ship ii) newer style larger wing variety, ship of new style (upturned ship). There are subsequent variations within the series ; see Spink Auction 5028 Lot 44, 5th May 2005; ‘obverse of old style and reverse of new design.’ Mules have also been recorded, normally relating to the beaded and wireline circles and the way in which they would combine on a given obverse/reverse combination.
It has been argued, that less than fifty of these Angels exist today, this total encompasses both museum trays as well as in private collections. A first-rate example of hammered Tudor gold, with much eye appeal.
