Code: 12979
This is a Tudor silver shilling (12 pence) of Queen Elizabeth I, minted in London between 1560 - 1561 AD.
Obverse inscription: ELIZABETH DG ANG FRA ET HIB REGINA, ( "Elizabeth, by the Grace of God, Queen of England, France and Ireland") Crowned bust left, mintmark 'Cross crosslet'.
Reverse inscription: POSVI DEV AD IVTORE M MEV ("I have made God my helper") Square topped shield quartered by long cross fourchee dividing legend, mintmark 'Cross crosslet' above.
This coin had seen plenty of circulation, being buried just before the Battle of Aylesbury in the English Civil War, which took place in November 1642. The hoard of 1064 coins was discovered by a detectorist, Steve Hickman, in farmland near Aylesbury. The find was made in March 2023. There is plenty of information online if you search here. Video here
The engagement usually called the Battle of Aylesbury is said to have taken place on 1 November 1642 at Holman’s Bridge (north of Aylesbury) during the First English Civil War. Contemporary accounts claim a Parliamentary victory over Royalist forces under Prince Rupert, but historians debate the scale and even the existence of a major battle — some evidence suggests a skirmish rather than a significant battle.
This coin would have borne witness to over 80 years of British history as it circulated in payments and trade from its mintage in 1561 to its deposition in the ground for safekeeping in 1642. The original owner never returned to dig up the treasure, possibly one of the casualties of the battle?
DENOMINATION: Shilling
CULTURE: Tudor England
DATE: 1560 - 1561 AD
Mint-Mark: 'Cross crosslet'
MATERIAL: Silver
SIZE: 32mm diameter
WEIGHT: 5.91 grams
ATTRIBUTION: Spink.2555
PROVENANCE: Aylesbury Hoard BUC-D73196 #99
