Charles I Halfcrown, Exeter, mm rose, 8 even scroll reverse, plate coin Bull, Besly, ex Simpson (1955), Brettell, Hunt and Adams

Charles I (1625-49), silver Halfcrown, Exeter Mint (1643-46), undated, armoured King on horseback left, crowned holding upright sword, with sash tied in bow at back, legend and beaded borders surrounding, initial mark rose, *CAROLVS; D; G; MA; BR; FRA; ET; HIB; REX, rev. oval quartered shield of arms with eight even scroll garniture, initial mark rose, .CHRISTO. AVSPICE. REGNO., weight 14.77g (Bull 660/13 (45b-35) this coin illustrated; Besly J13 - plate 12 this coin; Brooker 1028; N.2549; S.3064). A little misshapen as usual with an old tone, weakly struck in one quarter of reverse shield and corresponding part at front of horse, otherwise good very fine with some original lustre, a very rare die variation, Besly only recorded this coin as his J13 die combination example illustrated in his plates and Bull records two with this coin again being the coin illustrated.

The abbreviated obverse legend translates as "Charles, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland." and on the reverse "I reign under the auspice of Christ."

For further detailed reading see the article "The English Civil War Mints at Truro and Exeter 1642-1646" by Edwar Besly, British Numismatic Journal, volume 62, 1992, pages 102-153 and plates, available online at www.britnumsoc.org

Provenance:

Ex Stephen Simpson (d.1954), collection purchased en bloc by R. P. V. Brettell 1955.

Ex R. P. V. Brettell, Glendining, 28^th October 1970, lot 374, sold for £40.

Ex Philip Hunt, portion of collection purchased by Colin Adams, March 2000.

Ex Colin Adams, Collection of Halfcrowns, Spink Coin Auction, 5^th December 2005, lot 215, sold for £1,400 hammer.

Ex Arthur Bryant Coins with his ticket priced at £3,500.