BRITISH COINS, Elizabeth I, seventh issue, halfcrown, mm. 1 (1601-1602), crowned bust l., with orb and sceptre, rev. shield of arms, dated 1 on each side at end of legend, sharp letters in both legends with the outer circle beading in evidence. When Elizabeth Tudor died in the early morning of 24 March 1603 at Richmond Palace, she had lived for seven decades and had reigned as sole Queen of England for forty-five years. Born to Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII, she grew up without a mother and all but ignored by her father, to whom she was more than a disappointment, not being a boy. The English public knew almost nothing about her, and at court and in much of Europe she was considered to be illegitimate. When she passed away in old age, much of the world knew her as a brilliant monarch and she was greatly loved throughout her kingdom. As the day dawned on 24 March 1603, her coffin was lit by torches on a royal barge that carried her remains downriver to Whitehall. A month later, her coffin was moved to Westminster Abbey. The hearse was drawn by four horses draped in black velvet. People were in their streets, houses, windows, that came out to see her statue lying upon the coffin. Elizabeth I, Tudor, had altered the English monarchy in numerous ways, not the least of which was tendering to the Crown the true affection of her diverse subjects, a passion little felt for any previous royalty. Coins of Elizabeth, featuring a complete portrait very rare owing to the way most of the coins were struck.
SwK Yes I will like to own this coin and I showed it to members of the Coin Club, everybody 'loves it', specially the sharp striking. A rarity compared to the Crown Devi
