A Royal Noble from Newcastle in Baldwin’s May 29th sale
In 1887, what is now the Eastern Coast Main Line Railway in Newcastle-on-Tyne, was being widened to four tracks and just outside the station of Manors (in the eastern centre of Newcastle) a viaduct was being put in to take these expanded tracks. Whilst excavating the foundations of this new viaduct, at the Austin Friars end, a large gold medieval coin was found in the ground – a gold Noble of Edward III struck in Calais between 1361 and 1369.
Edward III ruled for fifty years, 1327 to 1377 and by chance, the year in which this coin was found, 1887, Queen Victoria was entering her fiftieth year on the throne of the United Kingdom. The Site Manager thought, therefore that it might be an apt gift for the monarch on this her Golden Jubilee year and sent it off to her. The coin was returned and set up in an ornate gilded brass casket, specifically relevant to the Queen’s Golden Jubilee of 1887.
The coin is displayed inside and on purple satin and velvet interior, the first Golden Jubilee of Edward III is commemorated, it is also recorded that the coin was in the possession of one George Frater Heaton a drysalter, colourman and varnish manufacturer at his works at Manors Viaduct, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Apart from being in mint condition (it is graded by PCGS as Mint State 63 and encapsulated in plastic), it is also a splendid medieval coin. Edward is portrayed in full armour holding the Royal Arms and a large sword standing in a medieval ship. In 1340, during the Hundred Years War, Edward had annihilated the French Fleet at the battle of Sluys, sinking virtually the whole French navy. England had suddenly become a major sea power and Edward portrays this very succinctly in his new coinage, the ‘Noble’ with the design of the monarch in a ship. Also interesting is the St. George’s flag at the stern of the ship – this signifies that the coin was struck in Calais which was, of course, an important English town and mint and would remain English for a further 200 years!
On the reverse is a beautifully intricate floriated cross with crowned lions in the angles and a small C in the middle for Calais. The legend in Latin around the edge translates to ‘But Jesus, passing through the midst of them, went His way’ (Luke iv 30) which perhaps refers to Edward passing through the French ships at Sluys, unbowed - reinforcing royal piety and spiritual legitimacy.
This large gold medieval coin is proclamation of sovereignty and power, a medium of trade and of archetypal medieval design. We will never know how it came to be lost, perhaps the fact that it was found on former Augustinian Friary ground is relevant – but we do know its more modern history, its connection with Queen Victoria in her jubilee year and its physical connection with Newcastle-on-Tyne.
This, extremely beautiful and mint condition gold coin with such an interesting provenance and Royal connection is being sold at Baldwin’s on the 29th of May in our Superb Collection of Gold & British Coins Auction, with an estimate of £15,000. to £20,000. Click here for more information
Battle of Sluys 1340
