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Auction: 20004 - British Coins and Commemorative Medals: Spring Auction - conducted behind CLOSED DOORS
Lot: 237

Charles I (1625-49), Triple-Unite, 1643, Civil War issues, Oxford, 26.85g, m.m. Oxford plume (on obv. only), carolvs: d: g: magn: brit: fr: et: hi: rex:, well proportioned crowned half-length bust of king in armour holding sword in right hand and shouldering an olive branch held in left hand, sash extending behind, plume by head, rev. exvrgat: devs: et: dissipentvr: inimici:, Declaration on continuous scroll but separated from outer legend relig: prot: leg: • :angl: liber: par•, date below, value between pellets above with three Oxford plumes (Beresford-Jones V/S5; Brooker 836 same dies; Schneider II, 291 same dies; N.2383; S.2726), on a large flan, obverse legend double struck in places, scratch by sword which has been defaced with light horizontal scratches, strong Declaration and portrait, a most attractive example of this famous issue, nearly extremely fine/good very fine

provenance
Spink 190, 27 September 2007, lot 588
Stacks, 11 February 1987, lot 3625 (catalogue cover coin)
Bridgewater House, Sotheby, 15 June 1972, lot 111

Commenting on this more artistic portrait by an engraver from the London mint, Beresford-Jones contrasts it favourably with the narrow bust produced by the puncheons brought to Oxford from Shrewsbury. 'This has a head and shoulders in completely different style, and therefore I regard it as by L [the London engraver]. L's obverse was accepted and there is no question of its superior artistic merit. The sword is longer, the hunchback has gone, and there is much greater freedom in the treatment. Technically, however, this is not a satisfactory bust, because it is almost impossible to find an example with a good portrait.' (BNJ XXVII, 1952-54, p.342)




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Sold for
£65,000

Starting price
£40000