POST MEDIEVAL COIN

Unknown artist

This is an interesting hammered silver sixpence of Elizabeth I (1558-1603). Interesting because of the degree of double strike to the reverse of the coin and that it would still have been placed in circulation, as evidenced by the degree of wear. The coin is from the fifth issue of 1582-1600, this example being 1590. Although the date is a little indistinct due to the double strike, the mintmark type 86 of a hand helps to confirm it. That mark was only in use for 1590-2.The obverse has the Queen’s portrait facing left with a rose in the field behind the head. The reverse has a quartered shield with that long cross fourchée and date over shield. However, the reverse is double struck with a clear shift of around 20 degrees left.Overall, the coin is in good condition with some slight clipping to the top edge as viewed from the obverse.