James I fine gold Angel, mm mullet, pierced for touching for the Kings Evil UNC

James I (1603-25), fine gold Angel of Eleven Shillings, second coinage (1604-19), St Michael slaying dragon right, Latin legend and beaded border surrounding on both sides, initial mark mullet (1611-12) struck over bell over key both sides, IACOBVS. D' G'. MAG'. BRIT'. FRA'. ET. HI'. REX., rev. flat decked ship sailing, no bowsprit, large quartered shield at centre, I to left of mast, cinquefoil to right, beaded circles and legend surrounding, .A. DNO. FACTVM. EST. ISTVD., weight 4.41g (Schneider -; N.2081; S.2616). Toned with one light crease and usual piercing, has been slabbed by NGC but not graded due to piercing as UNC details, otherwise an English bold to good very fine and extremely rare.

NGC Certification 2119532-023.

The output of fine gold for this period was £1,486, which covered four denominations from the impressive large gold Ryal to the small Half Angel. The Angel was struck quite sparingly as evidenced by the reuse of the obverse and reverse dies from previous mint mark periods. The dies seems to have started life as a mint mark key dating to 1608 and then over-stamped with mint mark bell for the period (1609-10) good longevity for this time. The piercing of Angels was for the purpose of Touching for the King's Evil and means that such a coin will have been handled and touched by the monarch's hand before being given to and hung around a recipient in the hope of recovery from scrofula or other such afflictions. For further suggested reading see "Touch-Pieces and the King's Evil" by Noel Woolf and "Silver Pennies and Linen Towels" by Dr Brian Robinson.

Provenance:

Ex Spink Numismatic Circular, January 1974, item 199.

Ex Dr C. F. Noon, Spink Coin Auction, 8^th October 2003, lot 293.