Charles I 1644 Halfcrown, Oxford, VF35

Charles I (1625-49), silver Halfcrown, 1644, Oxford Mint, armoured King on horseback left, crowned holding sword, riding over grassy ground, Oxford plume in field behind, Latin legend and beaded borders surrounding, initial mark Shrewsbury style plume, CAROLVS: D: G: MAG: BR: FR: ET HIB: REX., the R of FR struck over a B, rev. Latin Declaration in two lines at centre between ruled lines RELIG. PRO. LE / ANG. LIB. PAR, large Oxford plume above, flanked by smaller plume and lozenge each side, date and OX below in two lines, with lozenge stops either side, Latin legend and beaded borders surrounding, initial mark five lozenges and lozenge stops, :.:EXVRGAT. DEVS. DISSIPENTVR. INIMICI, (Bull 615/8 OX.26-19-4c; Brooker 909; Morrieson E-5; N.2418; S.2965). Weakly struck, toned, has been graded and slabbed by PCGS as VF35, the only piece so far graded by PCGS.

PCGS certification 626107.35/84195373.

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 coinage 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 29^th 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 3^rd January 1642/3.