YORK (Restored). Richard III. 1483-1485. AV Angels (28mm, 5.13 g, 1h). Type 2b. Tower (London) mint; im: boar’s head (2). Struck 20 July 1483–June 1484.

Triton XXIII – Session Four – World Coinage Part II, British Coinage and Medals, and Large Lots
Lot: 1296. Estimated: $ 10 000

British, Gold

Sold For $ 17 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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YORK (Restored). Richard III. 1483-1485. AV Angels (28mm, 5.13 g, 1h). Type 2b. Tower (London) mint; im: boar’s head (2). Struck 20 July 1483–June 1484. (boar’s head) RICΛRD’· DI · GRΛ : RЄX ΛnGL · Z FRΛnC : : (saltire and double saltire stops), Archangel Michael slaying dragon / (boar’s head) PЄR CRVCЄ’· TV[Λm ·] SΛLVΛ · nOS · XPC · RЄDЄm (saltire stops), ship bearing coat-of-arms and cross, R and rose flanking cross. Winstanley 8.4 (this coin); Schneider 489 (same obv. die); North 1676; SCBC 2151. Struck slightly off centre. Toned. VF. Very rare.

From the Arthur M. Fitts III Collection, purchased from Andy Singer. Ex Glendining (17 February 1988) lot 166; E. Wertheimer Collection (Glendining, 24 January 1945) lot 104.

The die duplicate in the Schneider collection is noted as reading RIC over EDW (for Edward). In fact close examination has shown that the mint mark and letters RIC have been punched in over FRANC. Clearly the die sinker had started engraving the legend anti-clockwise before he realized and corrected his mistake, a curious and very unusual error.

INTRO: “My intrigue with Richard III began with the reading of Josephine Tey’s novel, The Daughter of Time about 1952. I could not believe that an English king could have been responsible for the deaths of two of his nephews! Five years later I decided to concentrate on Medieval English History in college, and the alleged murders were viewed with significantly greater seriousness.

During my ten week visit to England in the summer of 1958, I became addicted to collecting medieval gold and silver coins, naturally including those of Richard III. I have participated in several historical tours of England, two of which focused on Richard III. The remarkable discovery of his remains in September 2012 has only increased the interest.” – Arthur Fitts

The final winners of all Triton XXIII lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 14-15 January 2020. Triton XXIII – Session Four – World Coinage Part II, British Coinage and Medals, and Large Lots will be held Wednesday afternoon, 15 January 2020 beginning at 2:00 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and in person at the public auction, 22.50% for all others.