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 (Pound Sterling)

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