Elizabeth I

Elizabeth I, the defence of the Kingdom, silver medalet, c. 1572, crowned bust right, rose behind, chained portcullis in front, QVID NOS SINE TE (the N's inverted), rev., a castle on a mount, E - R to either side, a sphere below, QUID HOC SINE ARMIS, 23.5mm (MI 120/57; Eim. 47). Very fine, toned and rare.

The style of the medalet, as Eimer states, is very much in the style of the milled coinage, c. 1561-1572, of the pioneering Frenchman, Eloye Mestrelle.

Provenance: Bt. T. Millett, 2001.