Charles I (1625-49), silver Halfcrown of Two Shillings and Sixpence, Nicholas Briot's first milled Issue (1631-32), armoured King on horseback left, crowned holding sword with flowing sash, rough groundline, beaded circle and legend surrounding, initial mark B and flower, CAROLVS. D:G: MAGN. BRITAN. FRAN. ET. HIB. REX, rev. inverted die axis, crowned quartered shield of arms in frame, crowned C and lozenge to left, crowned R and lozenge to right, beaded circle and legend surrounding, CHRISTO. AVSPICE. REGNO. weight 14.97g (Bull 468; Brooker 715; N.2299; S.2853). Toned practically very fine.

Nicholas Briot the Engraver general to the mints of France, introduced his mechanised mill press to the Tower Mint in 1631. The milled issues were engraved to a very fine quality by Briot, like the coin offered here. Briot had gained the King's favour in 1626 after having moved to England in 1625, the King wanting to improve the artistic merit of the nation's coinage, which led to Briot's official appointment as mint engraver in 1634.

Provenance:
Ex Mark Rasmussen Numismatist, October 2003.
Ex Colin Adams Collection of Halfcrowns, Spink Coin Auction 177, 1st December 2005, lot 144.