Mary, Tudor Queen 1553-1554

London. Pomegranate mintmark (located after MARIA). Crowned, facing, full-length image of the queen enthroned, holding golden orb and scepter, a portcullis at her feet; reverse, full-blown Tudor rose with the royal shield at its center. Very rare. Henry VIII’s eldest daughter, who married a Catholic Spanish prince shortly after this coin was made, and died in the second year of her monarchy without an heir, is shown here replacing her father on the throne as sole monarch.

A beautiful example of this very rare coin, worth 30 silver shillings when created, struck on a full flan, well detailed with a sharp image of the queen’s figure and face, legends sharp and complete, and exhibiting lovely gold color.