Elizabeth I (1558-1603), Lyon counter, pewter, lion rampant to left surrounded by Garter, rev. French shield between two crowned columns, 2.04g/12h (Mitchiner 4621; N –; MI I, 121/60). Good very fine and well-struck, very rare £200-250

Provenance: DNW Auction T7, 7 October 2009, lot 366.

The Lyon counters appear to have enjoyed the widest usage among the general population of all counters of English manufacture during their heyday, the 1580s and 1590s