England · Elizabeth I (1558–1603)
England Half Pound — Elizabeth I, First Issue Lis (1559–1560)
About this coin
Obverse
The crowned queen faces left, wearing a bodice ornamented with beads.
Script: Latin
Lettering
ELIZABETH D G ANG FRA Z HIB REG
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 PROTEGE 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.
| Year | Mint | Mintmark | Variant | Mintage | Notes | Find this issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ND (1559–1560) | London (Tower) | Lis | Bust 1B; wire-line inner circles | Recorded reverse reads PROTEGE; other endings and reverse dies occur. |
ND (1559–1560)Bust 1B; wire-line inner circles
Recorded reverse reads PROTEGE; other endings and reverse dies occur.