Philip & Mary, Tudor Queen & Spanish Consort 1554-1558

London. Facing busts with full titles, undated. Many known pieces were intentionally defaced by those who hated Mary’s Catholic union. The facing portraits is a style that appears on no other English coin; artistically it was borrowed from the earlier Spanish coins of Ferdinand & Isabella. Once the reign ended upon Mary’s death, and Philip departed, the design was abandoned forever.

On a broad flan with a tiny crack but full letters on the legends, complete beaded rims, and well-outlined portraits (the key problem in locating a good example of this issue), as well as very pleasing light gray patina.