England · Elizabeth I (1558–1603)

England Gold Crown — Elizabeth I, First Issue Lis (1559–1560)

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About this coin

The first gold crown is distinguished by its lis mark and short titles. On the recorded variety, a wire-line inner circle appears only on the shield side.

Obverse

Crowned bust of Elizabeth facing left.

Script: Latin

Lettering

ELIZABETH D G ANG FRA Z HIB REGI

Translation

Elizabeth, by the grace of God, Queen of England, France and Ireland.

Reverse

A crown surmounts the quartered royal shield between E and R.

Script: Latin

Lettering

SCVTVM FIDEI PROTEGET EAM

Translation

The shield of faith shall protect her.

Mints and mintmarks

Royal Mint at the Tower of London.

Engraver and mintmaster marks

Lis.

Identification and varieties

Undated hammered coinage. Privy-mark date ranges are conventional attributions, not dates inscribed on the coins. Legends and stops vary by die. Measurements describe recorded specimens. This table records confirmed varieties, not every surviving die.

Measurements

Recorded specimen measurements, not a fixed specification for every coin. Hammered flans vary.

Years, mintmarks and variants

Tap an issue for details and places to find it.

YearMintMintmarkVariantMintageNotesFind this issue
ND (1559–1560)London (Tower)LisBust 1EReverse wire-line inner circle; pellet stops.
ND (1559–1560)London (Tower) · LisBust 1E

Reverse wire-line inner circle; pellet stops.

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