Lot 4381
Great Britain. Milled Shilling, ND. S.2592. Elizabeth I, 1558-1603. Milled issue. Mint mark, star. The small size issue, around 30 diameter. Nicely struck on a very even flan. The reverse has a proof-like quality, the obverse has nice blemish-free surfaces. A good looking example of this rare milled issue. NGC graded AU-55.
* These 'milled' coins were innovative, and were among the finest examples of Tudor numismatic art. For the next century the regular silver coinage was of inferior quality, especially during the period of the English Civil War. The early 'milled' coins were produced in a screw press introduced by Eloye Mestrelle, a French moneyer, only 3 years or so after Elizabeth I's accession. The machinery required to produce this new 'mill money' was slow and cumbersome (parts of the machinery were powered by a horse drawn mill) and producing coins by hand proved faster. Mestrelle was himself unpopular and was ironically hanged for counterfeiting in 1578. A sad end to a great man who was ahead of his time.
Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500.
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| Realized $3,738 |
