Charles I 1642 Oxford Pound

Charles I (1625-49), silver Pound of Twenty Shillings, Oxford Mint, 1642, King on horseback left, walking over arms and militaria including a cannon, Oxford plumes behind flowing scarf of King, beaded circles and legend surrounding, initial mark Oxford plumes, CAROLVS: D: G: MAGNI: BRITANI: FRAN: ET: HIB: REX, rev. two line Latin motto at centre, RELIG. PROT. LEG / ANG. LIBER. PAR, three oxford plumes over value of .XX. above, date below, beaded circles and legend surrounding, legend commences at left, initial mark seven pellets, EXVRGAT: DEVS: DISSIPENTVR: INIMICI, weight 118.82g, diameter 54mm, thickness 5mm (Brooker 860; North 2398; S.2940). Toned and well struck for an example of the largest hammered silver coin ever struck in the British series, good detail apparent both sides, with lovely clear surfaces, just a few light flecks and pits around rear end of horse in field, just a hint of striking weakness in some letters, some light bruises around rim as is typical with these issues, usual hand hammered finish to edge, almost extremely fine though about as struck for this issue, with an excellent provenance, rare thus.

The Latin legends translate as on the obverse "Charles, by the grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland." On the reverse the outer legend translates as "Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered." As Psalm from the Bible (Psalm 68.1). The motto across the centre translates as "The religion of the Protestants, the laws of England, the liberty of Parliament."

Provenance:

Ex Grant R Francis, Glendining, 24^th March 1920, lot 252. (Former President of British Numismatic Society 1922-25).

Ex Lord Smith of Marlow, collection purchased by Spink privately 1983

Ex Herman Selig Collection part I, Spink Coin Auction 70, 31^st May 1989, lot 155.