Edward III 1327-1377 AD

Crown over lion in each angle, all within tressure of eight arcs, fleurs in spandrels, Latin legend and beaded borders surrounding, initial mark cross pattee with pair of small saltires either side, +xx DOmInEx nE In x FVRORExx TVOxx ARGVASxx mExx weight 4.41g. Brilliant and crisp, super example of the greatest rarity in the Half Noble series, one slight scrape from soil recovery on hull of ship, one light crease, otherwise good very fine and of the highest rarity, one of only two known examples, none in museums.

The abbreviated Latin legends translate as on the obverse "Edward by the Grace of God, King of England and France and Lord of Ireland"; and on the reverse "O Lord, rebuke me not in Thine anger" a Psalm taken from the Bible.

This is an example of the earliest Half-Noble struck, dating from July 1344-46 with the reverse carrying a letter L for London at centre. The Noble and its fractions quickly became the most successful gold denomination not just in England but also for trade into Europe where the denomination was easily divisible into the European Mark.
No example of this early Half-Noble was known, until the first was physically found in the ground during 1997. In lesser condition with large spade marks, this first coin has since found its way to the famous Schneider collection and is the example illustrated by Lord Stewartby. Therefore, no example languishes in any museum or institutional collection either, making the coin offered herewith the rarest and finest known of this great rarity. Estimated value around £50,000

Edward III (1327-77), gold Half-Noble of three Shillings and Fourpence, second period (1344-46), London Mint, King standing with sword and quartered shield in ship sailing right, Latin legend and beaded borders surrounding, small saltire stops, ED WARD'x GRA'x REX'x AnGL' z FRAnC'x DnSx Hyb, rev. L for London at centre of ornate cross with lis terminals.