Charles I Halfcrown Tower Mint lightweight issue, mm cross calvary

Charles I (1625-49),silver Halfcrown, lightweight issue (14^thAugust - 7^thSeptember 1626), group 1, armoured King on horseback left, sword raised above head, Latin legend and beaded borders surrounding, initial mark cross calvary both sides (1625-26), CAROLVS D; G; MAG; BRI; FRA; ET HI; REX,rev.crowned quartered shield of arms, mint mark struck over lis, .CHRISTO. AVSPICE. REGNO.., weight 12.68g (Bull 45L/2 (3-16) this coin; Brooker -; N.2202; S.2767 and note).Once cleaned with associated hairlines, scuffs and scratches, a bold to good fine and very rare.

Issues from the light weight period were released to encourage bullion to come into the mint to be coined, however the very high coinage charges attached to this meant it proved unpopular and not the solution the Mint were looking for, hence the whole issue lasted just over three weeks in 1626. These coins are a good 1.5g below the weight of a full weight issue piece. It is interesting to note that Brooker did not possess a lightweight issue piece in his collection at all, and that this coin is the plate coin of this die variety in Bull and the only one of these dies recorded.

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."

Provenance:

Ex Dix Noonan and Webb, Auction 75, 26th September 2007, lot 6.