★ Grierson C24 ★

PLANTAGENET. Edward III. 1327-1377. AV Noble (32mm, 6.69 g, 4h). Fourth coinage, Pre-Treaty period, series E. Tower (London) mint; im: cross 2. Struck 1354-1355. · Є DWΛRD · DЄI · GRΛ · RЄX · ΛIIGL’· 7 · FRΛIIC · DhУ B (annulet stops), half-length figure of Edward standing facing in ship, holding sword and shield; ornaments: 11-11-11-1; ropes: 3/3; quatrefoils: 4/4 / + IhC · ΛVTЄm · TRΛIICIЄIIS · P · mЄDIVm · ILLORVm · IBΛT · (annulet stops), short cross potent over cross fleurée; at center, voided polylobe containing Є; in each, angle, lion passant guardant, with crown above and trefoil below, extra lis in first quarter; all within polylobe, with lis in each spandrel. Grierson, Coins of Medieval Europe C24 ; Lawrence dies W/50; Potter, Gold 10; Schneider 24-5 var. (legend stops); North 1160; SCBC 1488. Slightly clipped. Otherwise attractively toned. Near EF.

From the Richard A. Jourdan Collection of Medieval European Coins, purchased from Charles H. Wolfe, 1999. Ex G. V. Doubleday Collection (Glendining, 7 June 1972), lot 59.

The Noble was introduced by Edward III in 1344. The unusual obverse type depicting the king standing facing, holding sword and shield, in a ship may be a reference to the great English naval victory at Sluys in 1340. It was coupled with a reverse showing ‘great elaboration and beauty, and the coin as a whole, larger and heavier than any struck on the Continent, was one of the most splendid of medieval times.’ Grierson, p.156