Elizabeth I acceded to the throne in 1558, after Mary I's death,
and was crowned in Janauary 1559. It was at this time that
France and Spain were vying for control of England. The arrival
in England in 1568 of Mary, Queen of Scots, and her imprisonment
and subsequent execution in 1587, caused a political crisis
aided by Spain. In July 1588 Philip of Spain sent an Armada of
130 ships from Lisbon that was defeated by the English off
Gravelines. This tremendous victory transformed England into the
leading sea power of the time. Elizabeth I's reign is often
called the 'Golden Age' because it was a time of great
achievement in England. She died in 1603 at the age of 69. Known
as 'mill money' this reproduction Sixpence would have been
produced on a screw press. On the obverse is the bust of
Elizabeth I and on the reverse is a shield of royal arms. The
coin is held in a clear plastic blister and is supplied in full
colour pamphlet style packaging, complete with images and
historical information of both the coin and