Beschreibung:

A Lost Parcel from the Celebrated Horace Hird Collection | Elizabeth I (1558-1603), Second 'Restoration' Coinage, Third and Fourth Issue [Fine Gold], Quarter-Angel [of 2.5 Shillings], (Pyx Period: 1 November 1573 - 25 May 1574), Tower, (m.m.) ELIZABETH : D : G ANG : FRANCIE, St. Michael vanquishing Dragon, rev. (m.m.) ET : HIBERNIE : REGINA : FIDEI : Ship surmounted by square-topped shield and crucifix mast dividing E and Rose, twisted rigging 2/1, with bowsprit, waves lapping below, 1.30g [19.9grns], 10h, m.m. acorn (HCN 125; Montagu V, 292a; Murdoch -; Lockett 3286 this coin; Comber I, 17; Schneider I, 775-777 this m.m. unrepresented; Brown & Comber E4; North 1993; Spink 2518), a trace of stubble rash under magnification, otherwise a pleasantly neat round coin, especially for this seldom encountered miniscule fraction, very fine, the central devices handsomely bold, extremely rare and a comfortable superior to the recently offered Comber specimen Brown and Comber record eleven instances of this privy mark for denomination [not accounting for duplication] as listed in the Spink Numismatic Circular and Seaby Bulletin between 1937 and 1983. It is apposite however to note the absence of example available for illustration or study purposes in the 1989 thesis with the existence of the variety left somewhat speculative in the final BNJ article. Challis records the mint output for this Pyx Period at £8,143, the lowest for the Second Restoration Coinage.