MILLED SILVER COINS OF ELIZABETH I
THE COLLECTION OF MR DOUGLAS G BORDEN
OF MELBOURNE FLORIDA
The following fifty coins were collected over a period of some twenty seven years with the object of acquiring as many die varieties as possible. The intention was to make a definitive study of the milled coinage of Elizabeth I struck by Eloye Mestrelle on his mill and screw press in the Tower of London. In his researches, Mr Borden was assisted by the Reverend Robin Sanders, Mr Christopher Comber and Dr David Brown, the resultant study, 'The Milled Coinage of Elizabeth I' by D G Borden and I D Brown being published in the British Numismatic Journal, Vol. 53, 1983. References to this definitive study are quoted as B&B throughout.
The need for a better coinage after the debased issues of Henry VIII and Edward VI is evidenced by the length of time that Mestrelle's coins circulated. They are rarely found in anything better than very fine condition and yet it was a large coinage struck from a great number of dies. The collection contains many rare varieties which will be of interest to other students of the series as well as many examples in relatively high grades. The sale also provides the opportunity to acquire what is probably the only example of the milled threefarthings (lot 64), available to collectors. The Defence of the Kingdom medal (lot 65), is included because of its probability of having also been struck by Mestrelle; a hypothesis based on the similarity of portrait and the retrograde N's appearing both on the medal and a pattern milled Sixpence dated 1570.
Elizabeth I (1558-1603), Shilling, undated, mm, star (89 grs.; 5.79 gms.), large size (31.5mm), crowned draped bust with plain dress left, rev. large shield on cross fourchée (B&B. 14-01/RI; N.2022; S.2589), weakly struck in centre of obverse, good fine/very fine, rare
Details
Elizabeth I (1558-1603), Shilling, undated, mm, star (89 grs.; 5.79 gms.), large size (31.5mm), crowned draped bust with plain dress left, rev. large shield on cross fourchée (B&B. 14-01/RI; N.2022; S.2589), weakly struck in centre of obverse, good fine/very fine, rare