Charles I (1625-49). Gold Half Unite or Double Crown of ten shillings, 1643, Oxford mint, crowned bust of king left to edge of coin, mark of value X behind head, cross on crown breaks pellet and linear circles, Latin legend and outer pellet border surrounding, legend commences lower left, CAROLVS. D: G: M: BR: FR: ET. HI: REX., Rev. Latin legend on ruled scroll leading continuously into Latin Declaration in three lines, date below, three Oxford plumes above, EXVRGAT. DEVS. DISSIPENTVR. INIMICI. RELIG. PROT./ LEG. ANGL. / .LIBER. PAR., weight 4.45g (Schneider 332; Brooker 858; Beresford-Jones dies III/5; N.2395; S.2742; Fr.260; KM.248.1). Lightly toned, some flat spots in highest points of striking, otherwise an attractive piece, good very fine and very rare. Estimate Value $16,000 - UP
Ex Glendining, 13th March 1975, lot 103. Ex Property of a Lady, Spink Coin Auction 168, 15th April 2004, lot 166. Ex Dr Andrew Wayne, Triton Auction IX, Classical Numismatic Group, 9th January 2006, lot 2295. Ex Ian Gordon Collection, Classical Numismatic Group, Auction 90, 23 May 2012, lot 2585. Ex Property of a gentleman, Mark Rasmussen Numismatist, Summer 2015, fixed price list 27, item C103.
The abbreviated obverse legend translates as "Charles, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland. The abbreviated reverse Declaration translates as "The religion of the Protestants, the Laws of England, the Liberty of Parliament". The outer reverse legend translates as "Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered". This gold Double Crown of Ten Shillings or Half-Unite was struck at the Oxford Mint where Charles I had moved his capital from London after the Battle of Edgehill to the Royalist Universities of the City of Oxford, where he made a state entrance on 29th October 1642. The King lived at Christ Church, with the Queen installed at Merton; the Royalist Parliament met in the Upper Schools and Great Convocation House; the Privy Council at Oriel; and the Mint worked at New Inn Hall from the 3rd January 1642/3.