Triple Unite 1642 Oxford Mint with tall narrow bust, declaration within wavy lines, plumes with bands on obverse only, Spink 2724, Schneider 284, Brooker 830, North 2381 a splendid example of the iconic coin graded and encapsulated by NGC as AU53 rare and desirable thus, comes with a retail ticket price of £65,000 which being the price the current vendor paid some years ago surely makes this lot a bargain at the current estimate. The English Civil War was in progress when this fabulous coin was stuck after Charles raised the Royal Standard in Nottingham on 22nd August 1642 he set up his court in Oxford where this spectacular piece was minted. The war against Cromwell's New Model Army dragged on until 1646 by which time Oxford was besieged with Charles escaping dressed as a servant. Charles joined the Scottish Presbyterian army but nine months later was handed over to the English Parliament after a payment of £100,000 was made. Negotiations between King and Parliament began but descended into intrigue as Charles made a secret deal with the Scots who invaded England in 1648 starting the Second Civil War. Once again Cromwell's New Model Army prevailed with Charles fleeing to Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight. Further negotiations collapsed into disarray with Parliament reducing itself to the so called Rump Parliament which eventually resulted in the trial and execution in January 1649 of Charles I