Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 9008 - The John Marshall Collection, other Ancient, British, World Coins, Comm Medals & Books
Lot: 126

Elizabeth I (1558-1603), base metal medal or token, 5.23g, bust of Elizabeth facing, crowned, wearing ruff, wire line inner circle, mint mark lis, star stops, et angliae gloria, rev. sola phoenix omnia mvndi, - ´the single Phoenix is all and all, and the glory of England,´ crowned Phoenix amid flames, wire line inner circle, star stop, (MI I, p90, 1, plate VII no.7; Mitchener 4500), a good example of this rare and historically interesting medal, good very fine Estimate £ 250-350 Traditionally this piece was attributed to early in her reign possibly issued for throwing to the people at the time of her coronation. More recent thinking suggests a later date based on the older portrait and dress style of the Queen and that the Phoenix was not adopted as her personal device until the 1570s. The Phoenix was a symbol of celibacy and also signified a thing incomparable, both meanings associated with the Virgin Queen and the projection of Elizabeth as Gloriana.

Sold for
£1,100