Description
Richard II (1377-99), Noble of six shillings and eight pence, of fine style, Calais Mint type with French title resumed, armoured King standing in ship with upright sword and quartered shield, flag at stern of ship indicating the Calais Mint, legend surrounds RICΛRD DI GRΛ REX ANGL Z FRΛNC D HIB Z ΛQT. Rev, R at centre of ornate cross with lis terminals, crown over lion in each angle, all within a tressure of eight arcs, fleurs in spandrels, initial mark cross pattée, reads, IHC ΛVTEM TRANSIENS PER MEDIV ILLORVM IBAT, 7.73g (S.1662; N.1307; Schneider 180).
Gold amber tone with deep lustre in the recesses, the obverse die marginally rusty, all details bold and definitive; the King, flag and ship, fine striations and precision to the wavy sea, ships ornaments and legends legible, parts somewhat crimped. Rev, much as struck with mirrored outer fields, the central designs all within the tressure of arcs immediately recognisable. A top tier example of this iconic denomination, filled with nautical connotations and strength at sea. Graded and encapsulated by PCGS as MS63, rare.