Rare silver counter of the Lord High Treasurer (c. 1603 England)

Silver

1.15inch

2.92 cm

Extremely Fine on obverse, almost Extremely Fine on reverse, some flattening on high points on the leopard

Beautifully designed and rare silver counter of the Elizabeth I/James I era of Thomas Sackville who at the time was Lord Buckhurst and Lord High Treasurer.
Obverse: The arms of Sackville, within the Garter. Legend: T . SACKVIL . B . D . BUCH . ANG . THES . EQ' . AVRA'. (Thomas Sackville, Baron of Buckhurst, Treasurer of England, Knight.).
Reverse: The Sackville crest. a spotted leopard rampant, left, between 1602.
Legend: Motto, SEMPER . FIDELIS. (Always faithful). Two roses after SEMPER and one after FIDELIS.

See "Medallic Illustrations" vol.I, p.189/4 where the counter was rated as rare in 1885.

Sir Thomas Sackville was created Lord Buckhurst by Elizabeth I in 1567 and she appointed him Lord High Treasurer in 1599, an office which he held until his death in 1608. Since James I created Buckhurst Earl of Dorset on 13 March, 1603-4, this counter must have been struck before that date. The reason why this counter was issued has not been ascertained but "Medallic Illustrations" believe that it was possibly struck as a memorial of the death of Elizabeth I or of the accession of James I and was also used as a counter for reckoning in Buckhurst's department of state. Given its age (over 400 years old), this particular counter is in remarkably good condition.

gbp 570.00 (Pound Sterling)

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