Charles I Unite, Group B, mm African head, overstruck reverse legend, ex Lockett

Charles I (1625-49), gold Unite of Twenty Shillings, Tower Mint, group B, with overstruck letters in reverse legend, second crowned bust left, value XX in field behind, Latin legend and beaded border surrounding, initial mark African head (1626-27), .CAROLVS. D; G; MAG; BRI; FR; ET. HI; REX.,rev. crowned and garnished quartered square-topped shield of arms, Latin legend without stops and beaded border surrounding, FLORENT CONCORDIA REGNA, the D struck over a C and the A following struck over R, weight 9.00g (Schneider 122; Brooker 34; N.2148; S.2687). Toned with some weakness to striking at upper left of shield and at corresponding part of head on obverse, perhaps once wiped with some light hairline scratches in obverse field, nice clear initial mark on obverse, very fine and a rare mark with a rare overstrike in the reverse legend.

The abbreviated obverse legend translates as "Charles, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland" and on the reverse "Through concord kingdoms flourish."

The recorded gold output for this mint mark amounts to £255,846 worth of crown gold coins issued from the 8^thNovember 1626 to 27^thApril 1627, actually the second highest of the reign, the highest being of the plumes mint mark later at over £337,000 worth. The output would also include gold double crowns and crowns, but despite the high figure this mint mark is one of the harder ones to come by as survival rates seem low.

Provenance:

Ex Richard Cyril Lockett, English part IV, Glendining, 27^th April 1960, lot 4125 sold for £16.

Ex Baldwin Auction 44, vault stock, 2^nd May 2006, lot 821.

Ex Spink Coin Auction, 24^th September 2013, lot 571.

Ex Spink Coin Auction, 29^th March 2017, lot 353.