Charles I 1642 Halfcrown, Oxford

Charles I (1625-49), silver Halfcrown, 1642, Oxford Mint, armoured King on horseback left, crowned holding upright sword, Oxford plume in field behind, Latin legend and beaded borders surrounding, initial mark Oxford plume, CAROLVS: D: G: MAG: BRIT: FRAN: ET: HI: REX., rev. Latin Declaration in two lines at centre between ruled lines RELIG: PROT: LEG / ANG: LIBER: PAR, three Oxford plumes above, date below, Latin legend with colon stops and beaded borders surrounding, EXVRGAT: DEVS: DISSIPENTVR: INIMICI:, weight 14.78g (Bull 594/3 OX.1.6-10d; Brooker 882/-; Morrieson F-3; N.2412; S.2953). Toned, double struck and oval in shape, otherwise very fine and the earliest date for the Mint.

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 silver Ten Shillings or Half-Pound 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.