Charles I gold Double Crown mintmark (P) Parliamentary issue AU55

Charles I (1625-49), gold Double Crown or Half Unite of Ten Shillings, Tower Mint under Parliament, group F, class IIa, bust 7, crowned bust left after Briot, value X in field behind, Latin legend and beaded borders surrounding both sides, initial mark P in brackets (1627-28) both sides, CAROLVS D: G: MAG: BRI: FRA: ET HIB: REX., rev. crowned quartered oval shield of arms, crowned C to left, crowned R to right, CVLTORES. SVI. DEVS. PROTEGIT, weight 4.43g (Brooker 181; Schneider 216; N.2177; S.2707). Toned a little uneven in shape, some light marks, has been slabbed and graded by NGC as AU55 and extremely rare, very few known of this denomination and Parliamentary mint mark.

NGC Certification 2130739-019 - currently the finest and only example graded of this extremely rare issue.

The abbreviated obverse legend translates as "Charles, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland" and on the reverse "God protects His worshippers."

The original pyx trial records show that a total of £135,315 of crown gold was struck under the mint marks (P) and (R) combined, from 29^th May 1643 until 15^th July 1644 for (P) and further on till 12^th May 1645 for mint mark R in brackets.

Provenance:

Ex Spink Numismatic Circular, September 1975, item 7555, offered at £250.

Ex Glendining, 24^th March 1976, lot 51 sold for £190.

Ex Patrick Finn, List 9, Spring 1997, item 21, offered at £750.