TUDOR. Lady Jane Grey. 10 July–19 July 1553. Fantasy AR “Testoon” (34mm, 14.54 g, 12h). William Taylor, engraver(?). Dated 1553 (though struck by Emery, 1840s). EF.

CNG Feature Auction 127
Lot: 1170.
Closing Date: Sep 18 2024 11:00 ET

British, Silver

Estimate: $ 750

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TUDOR. Lady Jane Grey. 10 July–19 July 1553. Fantasy AR “Testoon” (34mm, 14.54 g, 12h). William Taylor, engraver(?). Dated 1553 (though struck by Emery, 1840s). Crowned bust facing slightly left / Crowned rose; crowned I R flanking. H.E. Pagan, “Mr. Emery’s Mint” in BNJ 40 (1971), 87. Old cabinet toning, a few minor scratches. EF.

From the Alexander Christopher Collection.

In the early 1840s, a glut of counterfeit ancient and British coins appeared on the London market. The forgeries were struck by an individual by the name of Emery, possibly a London plate glass maker. The dies are of fine quality and have been suggested to be the work of William Taylor, a notorious engraver also responsible for the 1847 Liberian coinage and many of the restrikes of Soho mint issues.

Though given by Pagan as a “jeton or medal,” the design and fabric of this coin clearly harkens back to the hammered silver testoons of Henry VIII. Two varieties are known, one with a hammered fabric and gothic lettering (the present type), another with Roman lettering and the fabric of a 19th century medal. Regardless, this type is a wonderful example of the Emery series and effectively the only way for collectors to acquire a coin of Lady Jane Grey in period-appropriate style.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 127 lots will be determined during the live online sale that will be held on 17-18 September 2024. This lot is in Session Four, which will begin 18 September at 2 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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