Queen Elizabeth I of England (1558-1603) Silver Sixpence - 6th Issue - MM Woolpack - Tower Mint - S. 2578B (Dated 1594)

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Obverse: ‘ELIZAB : DG : ANG : FR : ET : HIB REGI’

Translation: “Elizabeth, by the Grace of God, Queen of England, France and Ireland”

Shows left-facing bust (6C) of the Queen with visible ear and rounded profile. A rose is featured behind bust, enclosed within beaded circle. The tip of her crown brushing the edge of the inner beaded circle. Woolpack mintmark (1594-1596).

Reverse: ‘POSVI : DEV : ADIVTOREM : MEV ‘

Translation: “I have made God my helper”

Square-topped shield of royal arms, quartered by long cross within a beaded circle. Woolpack mintmark. Dated 1594.

Type reference: Spink- 2578B

Weight: 2.9g

Diameter: 25mm x 25mm 

Composition: Silver 

Fineness: .925

Method: Hammered 

Condition: 
Portrait shows very clear features with great definition on raised points. The queen’s ear is showing, along with her mouth and eye outline; with an intact, detailed crown on top of the head. The obverse shows very minor flattening from circulation. 

The coin is struck on a very flat and straight flan that is slightly ‘non circular’ around the edges, therefore obverse legends suffer partial loss to top section of text- however it remains readable and well defined for the most part. The reverse is not affected in this way, and the coin weighs correctly at 2.9g, which suggests the coin has not been clipped despite the slight loss.

The reverse retains very nice definition, particularly the letter definition of the legend and also the crisp fleur de lis and lions within in the shield. There is some scratching visible particularly in top quarters, good detail retained overall. Woolpack mint mark nice and visible on both obverse and reverse.

Overall a very attractive example.

Condition grade: F - VF  (Fine - Very Fine)

(Grading is an estimate based on our own assessment, please study the images and undertake your own assessment)

Historical Significance: 
In 1594, England was in the midst of the Elizabethan Golden Age, a period that marked the country’s rise as a major maritime and cultural power. Queen Elizabeth I had ruled for over three decades by this point, earning her nickname “The Virgin Queen” and famously never marrying, using her status to maintain political independence.  

Her government fostered political stability and Protestant consolidation, which allowed trade, exploration, and the navy to flourish. The Royal Navy was expanding rapidly, projecting English influence across the seas and defending against Spain, while figures such as Admiral Sir John Hawkins led daring voyages to Africa and the Americas, establishing trade routes, acquiring wealth, and challenging Spanish dominance. This coin was struck in 1594, just one year before Hawkins’ death at sea in the Caribbean, and only nine years before the death of Queen Elizabeth I herself.