Richard II (1377-99), gold Noble of Six Shillings and Eight Pence, Calais Mint, type 2a, no French title in legend, armoured King standing in ship with upright sword and quartered shield, flag at stern of ship for Calais Mint, legend and beaded borders surrounding, double saltire stops in legend, RIC ARDxx DEIxx GRAxx REXxx AnGLxx DnSxx hIBxx Zx AQ, rev. R at centre of ornate cross with lis terminals, crown over lion in each angle, all within a tressure of eight arcs, fleurs in spandrels, legend and beaded border surrounding, initial mark cross pattée, IhCxx AVTEmxx TRAnSIEnSxx PERxx mEDIVxx ILLORVmxx IBAT, weight 7.67g (Schneider 146; N.1306; S.1661). Striking a little blundered in places as per usual for Richard II gold, weak at face, otherwise a full coin, pleasing, good very fine, rare.

This Noble was struck at the Calais Mint in France when it was an English possession denoted by the flag flying in the stern of the ship. The Calais Mint operates throughout this reign apart from a 3 year period of closure from January 1384 to January 1387. This coin belongs to the type 2a classification which omits the French title in the legend and is of a cruder style. It is not known how the types fit the chronology of the mint output, and Calais output was to say the least quite erratic reflecting the way gold and silver would have flowed in or out of the Continent to England according to their market values.

Provenance:
Ex A. H. Baldwin, Auction 44, 2nd May 2006, lot 752.