Charles I (1625-49), silver Halfcrown of Two Shillings and Sixpence, York Mint, type 7, armoured King on horseback left, with sword and flowing scarf, horse tail between legs, EBOR below, tiny letter B inside O, beaded borders with legend surrounding, initial mark lion both sides (1643-44), .CAROLVS. D. G. MAG. BRIT. FRAN. ET. HIB. REX., rev. round quartered shield of arms, with lion skin garniture, legend surrounding, .CHRISTO. AVSPICE. REGNO. weight 13.49g (Brooker 1087; Bull 559; N.2315; S.2869). Toned, raised die flaw on reverse, almost very fine.

King Charles I’s second Capital City was York where he first went after fleeing London in January of 1641/2. A year later in early January of 1642/3 the King commanded the French engraver Nicholas Briot, at no doubt great danger to himself, to travel to York and Oxford secretly for meetings in relation to coinage. Later in the month a Mint at York became operational in the house of Sir Henry Jenkins in Minster Yard and operated until the 16th July 1644.

Provenance:
Ex A. H. Baldwin & Sons Ltd. May 1944.
Ex Herbert M. Lingford, portion of English collection purchased by A H Baldwin 1951.
Ex Colin Adams Collection of Halfcrowns, Spink Coin Auction 177, 1st December 2005, lot 158.