Description
Mary I of the House of Tudor, as Queen and sole monarch of England 1553-1554 AD, Silver Groat (1.85g, 25.5mm), initial mark Pomegranate 1553-1554 AD, Tower mint, London. Obverse: Crowned bust of Queen Mary I facing to the left, wearing pearl necklace and brocade gown, inner lined border and legend surrounds, “ᙏΛRIΛ⚬ ⚬ D’⚬ G’⚬ ΛꞂG’⚬ FRΛ’⚬ Z⚬ ꞂIB’⚬ RЄGI’⚬”. Reverse: Shield of Arms of the House of Tudor over long cross fourchée, inner lined border and legend surrounds, “VЄRITΛS TЄᙏPORIS FILIΛ”. Spink-2492; North-1960. Notably sharp devices frame this splendid piece, the portrait with typical flatness but still quite legible with all facial features visible, lightly toned with a nice steel grey, a very desirable piece, good Very Fine.
The obverse Latin legend reads “Maria, Deī Grātiā, Angliae, Franciae, et Hiberniae rēgīna”, with an English translation of “Maria, by the Grace of God, Queen of England, France and Ireland”. The reverse Latin legend reads “vēritās temporis fīlia”, with an English translation of “Truth, the daughter of Time”.