Obverse:

ELIZABETH D G ANG FRA ET HI REGINA. Crowned bust l. beaded inner circle.

Reverse:

SCVTVM FIDEI PROTEGT EAM. Crowned square topped shield, E and R at sides.

Numerous creases and surface marks and lightly clipped otherwise very fine details. One of the oldest provenances possible.

Ex CoinCraft, with ticket.

Ex Archbishop Sharp Collection, Morton & Eden Auction, 7 Dec 2017 - Lot 217.

Dr. John Sharp (1644-1714) was a clergyman who become Archbishop of York in 1691. His interest in collecting coins seems to have begun a few years before his appointment, around 1687 and with a primary focus on British coins. His interest, knowledge and collection increased and in 1785 he published his work ‘Observations on the Coinage of England’. On Sharp's death, the collection was left to his son John and was kept together for some 250 years by his descendants, with the occasional additions to the collection over time.

The descendants, among others, include;

John Sharp (1674-1726)

Dr Thomas Sharp (1693-1758), Archdeacon of Northumberland and Prebendary of Durham

Dr John Sharp (1723-1792), Vicar of Hartburn, Perpetual Curate of Bamburgh and Archdeacon of Northumberland

Anne Jemima Sharp (1762-1816)

Catherine Sharp (1770-1843) of Clare Hall, near Barnet

Thomas Barwick Lloyd-Baker (1807-86)