91 Foreign

184

World Crowns and Minors

XFORD

INT

ROWN

1643

2696

Great Britain. Oxford Mint Crown, 1643

. S.2946A; North-2405; Dav-3770. Charles I. Declaration type. Shrewsbury die with groundline.

Obverse, superbly detailed image of king left, upon stylised horse. Legend reads: CAROLVS: D:G: MAG: BRIT: FRAN ET HIBER REX. Reverse,

legend: RELIG: PROTLEG ANG LIBER: PAR between two horizontal lines, with mark of value V (5 shillings) and three Oxford plumes above,

date (1643) below.

A magnificent example of this crudely-made issue, and virtually mint state. Fully round, well centred, evenly struck, and of full weight (29.5

grams). The coin has a delightful grey and green old tone. Superior to the E.D.J Van Roekel and Slaney specimens, others in other recently

offered collections. Practically uncirculated and extremely rare thus.

NGC graded AU-58

* After the Battle of Edgehill in October 1642, the King found that his path to London was blocked by the forces of Parliament, and as London

was now the stronghold of the Puritan party, he had to choose an alternative (Royalist) capital city. Charles quickly took the remains of his

army and his sons (Charles and James) together with the Princes Rupert and Maurice into Oxford.

In many respects Oxford was not an ideal base, and the city was far from the coast, which made it difficult to import vital supplies from con-

tinental Europe.

Having made his headquarters at Oxford, however, Charles I set up a mint by proclamation there. Numerous carts arrived from Shrewsbury

in early January 1643 bringing into the city the mint workers and the necessary coining plant and apparatus. At a similar time minting equip-

ment and workers arrived in Oxford from York, and eventually such remarkable names as Thomas Rawlins, Nicholas Briot and Nicholas Bur-

ghers were working together in Oxford, to produce the King' s coins. This exceptional Oxford mint Crown piece was made as a result of the

King' s determination to continue his numismatic tradition despite his hitherto unprecedented circumstances.

Estimated Value ........................................................................................................................................................... $14,000 - 16,000

2697

Great Britain. Shilling, ND

. S.2800. Charles I, 1625-1649.

Tower mint under Parliament. Mint mark, R in brackets (1644-

45). Irregular edges, bust softly struck, attractive old toning

with lustrous fields.

NGC graded AU-50

Estimated Value ................................................... $200 - 250

Ex: Dr. Ruby Collection

2698

Great Britain. Death and Memorial Medal, 1649

. Eimer-

158; MI-volume 1, 341/190. Silver. 30 mm. By R.Rawlins. Dated

1648, in the old style. Charles I, 1625-1649. Obverse; Armoured

and draped bust of King left. Reverse; Island rock buffeted by a

severe storm. Pristine mint state with superb dark blue toning

over mirror fields. Much finer than the Eimer catalogue plate

coin, and presumed to be the finest known specimen. This

medal appears to be struck on a slightly heavier (piedfort) flan

than usual (approximately 10 grams) and is probably an early

striking or presentation piece. Excessively rare in this condition.

NGC graded MS-64

GOLD WINGS APPROVED

Estimated Value ..............................................$1,500 - 1,800