The Gary Oddie Collection of English Regal Shillings

Elizabeth I (1558-1603), Milled coinage, Pattern Shilling, in silver, by E. Mestrelle, mm. mullet, elizabeth d g ang fran et hib regina, crowned bust left, rev. posvi devm adivtorem mevm, small shield over long cross fourchée, 32mm, 6.16g/6h (Borden/Brown 13, O1/R1, this coin listed; N 2042, recté large module). Some small digs in obverse field, otherwise very fine, extremely rare; 5 specimens known to the cataloguer, of which one is in the British Museum £3,000-£4,000

This lot is to be sold as part of a special collection, The Gary Oddie Collection of English Regal Shillings.

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Collection

R.C. Lockett Collection, Part V, Glendining Auction, 17 October 1961, lot 4398 (part); P. Sanders Collection, Noonans Auction 277, 19 July 2023, lot 119 [from Spink January 1962].

Mestrelle’s first patterns were likely made in December 1560; the mullet marks they bear would have readily distinguished them from the star-marked coins of his regular issue. Two others have been offered in commerce recently (DNW 148, 489, Wilkinson collection; BSJ 50, 93, Comber collection)