Mary (1553-54), fine gold Sovereign of Thirty Shillings, Tower mint, dated 1553 in Roman numerals at end of obverse legend (issue period 20 August 1553 to 24 December 1554), mintmark pomegranate in legend both sides, crowned full figure of Queen seated facing on ornate throne, holding orb and sceptre, portcullis below extending to rim, ornate throne back with pellet sides to back and large side pillars, multi arc tressure and beaded circle surrounding, pellets in arcs, trefoils on cusps, mintmark pomegranate after Queen's name, annulet stops in legend, legend reads :MARIA:+: D': G': AnG'o FRA Z: hIB': REGInA: m:D:LIII, outer beaded circle surrounding, rev. quartered shield of arms upon Tudor rose, surrounded by beaded and linear tressures of ten arcs, each cusp overlaid with alternating leaf and lis fleury device, linear circle surrounding, legend reads A: DnO+ FACTV: EST: ISTV'o Z: EST: MIRA: In: OCVL': nRIS': with pomegranate between O and F, outer linear circle surrounding, 15.14g (Schneider 704; North 1956; S 2488). Small short crack at centre of the obverse under sceptre hand and at upper left quarter of shield on the reverse, otherwise struck with a good portrait, toned, about very fine.

Queen Mary issued all her gold coinage to the fine standard of 23 carats and 3½ grains (0.995 fine) and to the weight of 240 grains (15.552g) as originally set by her grandfather, King Henry VII. Mary's hammered gold sovereigns, are the only issue of this hammered gold coin denomination that carry an actual date, albeit in Roman numerals, either 1553 or 1554.

Provenance:
Ex Collection of a Southern Gentleman, Stacks Bowers New York Auction, 7th December 1994, Lot 2446, sold for $2,600 hammer.
Ex St. James's Auctions, Auction 5, 27th September 2006, Lot 276, sold for £6,500 hammer.
Ex Hemisphere Collection, A.H. Baldwin & Sons, Auction 88, 8th May 2014, Lot 2006, sold for £15,000 hammer.

Estimate: £ 18000 - 22000