The George Holloway Collection of Fine Sovereigns of Elizabeth I

George Prendergast Holloway

The coins in this catalogue are representative of one man’s remarkable study, over almost 60 years, of all the known examples of Elizabeth I’s magisterial series of fine gold sovereigns. Mr Holloway, fondly remembered by members of the British coin trade as a diligent researcher of these coins, has left an archive detailing no less than 341 different specimens, each of them described in the detail that only a true enthusiast can muster, right down to the most minor striking characteristic.

The largest denomination issued by Elizabeth, her predecessor Mary and successor James I, the fine sovereign, a denomination originally introduced by her grandfather Henry VII, was tariffed at 30 shillings and made its debut under Edward VI in 1550; the last such coins, popularly known as rose ryals, were coined in 1624. On 31 December 1558 Elizabeth issued a commission to Sir Edmund Peckham, authorising him to strike sovereigns and other denominations in fine gold (23ct 3.5 grains [= 240 grains]), together with a range of crown gold divisions (22 carat). As David Brown and Chris Comber observed, initially very little crown gold was struck at the...