James I silver Halfcrown

James I (1603-25), silver Halfcrown, third coinage (1619-25), armoured King on horseback right, sword on shoulder, no groundline, initial mark rose (1605-06), Latin legend and beaded borders surrounding both sides, IACOBVS D: G: MAG: BRI: FRAN: ET HIB: REX. rev. quartered shield of arms, legend without stops, QVÆ DEVS CONIVNXIT NEMO SEPARET, weight 14.91g (N.2122; S.2666A). Tiny piercing at Q of reverse legend, now filled, otherwise toned, a bold very fine for this extremely rare variety without the groundline, at the time of the Adams sale in 2005 this was only one of two known examples and likely an experimental or finer work issue.

The abbreviated Latin legend on the obverse translates as "James, by the grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland" and on the reverse as "What God hath joined together, let no man put asunder" a quote from the Bible.

The only other example we have seen at auction was in Baldwin Auction 30, 7^th May 2002, lot 604 which was weaker on the reverse with a number of light scratches both sides with a provenance back to Morrieson and Lingford.

Provenance:
Ex Dr E. C. Carter, collection purchased by A H Baldwin, 1950

Ex F M De Chastelain, collection offered in Seaby Coin and Medal Bulletin, May 1970, item DC59
Ex Philip Hunt, portion of collection purchased by Colin Adams, March 2000

Ex Colin Adams, Collection of Halfcrowns, Spink, 1^st December 2005, lot 52