2016-03-31 Thu

An extremely rare Rose Ryal of James I is all set for sale at London’s St James’s Auctions on 29th September.

The Ryal belongs to James’ Third Coinage (1619 – 1625) and is among the later coins issued by Tower Mint with a highly detailed design. It was the largest denomination struck for King James. The Ryal is among the first British coins to show Royal arms that incorporate both the lions passant guardant of England with the lion rampant of Scotland. Rose Ryal got its name because of a large Tudor rose that was depicted on the reverse of its first issue.

The obverse features the monarch holding a sceptre and orb; seated on an ornately flowered throne. Surrounded by lis and roses, his feet rest on a portcullis. The legend reads: IACOBVS D : G : MA BRI : FR : ET HIB : REX.

The reverse features the Royal arms on a cross fleury, a lis, a lion and a rose. Above the shield is the value ‘XXX’. The legend reads ‘A DNO : FACTVM EST ISTVD ET EST MIRAB : IN OC : NRIS’. [This is the Lord’s doing and it is marvellous in our eyes].

The mintmark of spur rowell appears on both, the obverse and the reverse.