Mary I Gold Sovereign Coin

The Mary I “Fine” Gold Sovereign of Thirty Shillings (dated 1553 or 1554) is a premier rarity in British numismatics, typically valued between £18,000 and £50,000 depending on its condition and eye appeal. High-grade examples can exceed these figures at major auctions.

Value and Market Pricing
The value of a genuine Mary I Sovereign is driven by its extreme rarity and its status as the first English gold coin to bear a date in Roman numerals (MDLIII for 1553)

Auction Estimates: Recent listings for “Good Very Fine” specimens typically carry estimates of £18,000 to £30,000.
Retail/Specialist Pricing: Top-tier dealers like Silbury Coins have listed exceptionally well-preserved examples for up to £47,500.
Private Sales: At least one specimen from Sovereign Rarities was previously priced at £50,000 before moving to out-of-stock status.

Specifications
Face Value: 30 Shillings (compared to the standard 20-shilling sovereign of later reigns).
Purity: Struck in 23-carat 3.5-grain “Fine Gold” (approximately 99.5% pure), returning to the high standard established before the “Great Debasement” of Henry VIII.

Design Features:
Obverse: The Queen enthroned, holding an orb and sceptre, with a portcullis at her feet.
Reverse: A square-topped shield at the centre of a Tudor rose.
Mint Mark: Most frequently features the Pomegranate mark, alluding to her mother, Catherine of Aragon.