Charles II 1662 Twenty Shilling Broad, nine leaves, two berries in wreath

Charles II (1660-85), milled gold "Broad" of Twenty Shillings, 1662, laureate and draped bust left, prone letter S below for engraver Thomas Simon, nine leaves and two berries in laurel wreath, legend and toothed border surrounding, CAR. II. D. G. M. BR . FR. ET. HI. REX, rev. inverted die axis, crowned quartered shield of arms, date above crown, legend and toothed border surrounding, .FLORENT. CONCORDIA. REGNA., edge plain, weight 9.13g (Lessen type G dies 2/3 this coin; Schneider 421; Bull EGC 165 R3; N.2780; S.3337A). Toned with copper red hue, light flan adjustment marks around rim and on high points of hair and corresponding part of reverse shield, flan flaw on rim, otherwise practically extremely fine, very rare with only approximately 3,400 struck.

The abbreviated Latin legends translate as on the obverse "Charles the Second by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland"; and on the reverse "I reign under the auspices of Christ."

This interesting issue, a continuation of the design of the hammered issues into machine made milled coinage carries the initial of the engraver and designer Thomas Simon. Once thought to be a pattern it has since been proven that these were issued for currency and the 82 pounds of gold used equated to no more than 3,400 pieces being made, it is surely one of the rarest milled coins of the reign. For further reading consult "Simon's Mill Gold Coins and Medals of Charles II 1660-62" by Marvin Lessen in the British Numismatic Journal, Volume 65, 1995.

Provenance:

Ex Sotheby 12^th July 1993, lot 275.