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Extremely Rare First Issue Charles I Gold
Half Unit Using the Bust of James VI
1283 Scotland, Charles I (1625-49). Gold Half-Unit or Double Crown, first coinage (1625-35), crowned bust
of James VI of Scotland right with altered chin and beard, Latin legend and beaded borders surround-
ing both sides, initial mark thistle both sides.CAROLVS. D. G. MAG. BRIT. FRAN. &. HIB. REX. Rev.
crowned quartered shield of arms, C struck over I to left, R to right, HENRICVS. ROSAS. REGNA
IACOBVS. weight 4.92g (Burns 2 fig.1031; S.5528; Fr.49; KM.53). A little double struck with a well de-
fined portrait of the previous King, good Very Fine and extremely rare.
$15,000
Ex Robert William Cochrane-Patrick, Sotheby 8th March 1936, sold for £28 hammer.
Ex Richard Cyril Lockett, Scottish & Irish part, Glendining, 19th June 1957, lot 403 sold for £150 hammer.
Ex The Douglas Collection, Spink Auction 119, 4th March 1997 lot 321.
The change of monarch required a change of coinage by Act of Privy Council of the 15th April 1625 for a new
portrait and legend upon the coinages. With the gold denominations broadly the same portrait punches were used
as per that of James VI with just a slight alteration to the beard and hair around the ear with the reverse dies reused
with the C of Charles cut over the old I of James. The Latin legends translate as on the obverse “Charles, by the
grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland” and on the reverse “Henry the roses, James the kingdoms”
referring to James VI of Scotland becoming also James I of England from 1603.