Charles I, Uncertain (Hereford?), mint, halfcrown, 1645, m.m. lis, King on horseback riding left over rough ground, rev., crowned and supported royal arms within Garter, date below, 14.71g (Brooker 1180; N. 2359; S. 2915), slightly weak in parts, generally good very fine, with pale gilt appearance as usual for this very rare and characterful issue A recent XRF test indicates a silver fineness of approximately 90%, only marginally less fine than sterling. The coin also contains 1% gold which could well be explained by the inclusion of silver-gilt items used in forming flans for coining. Hereford is an attested Royalist mint where 'Rude the Coyner' is known to have been active in 1644, and to which this issue is tentatively ascribed. Provenance: Gen. Sir Redvers Buller, Glendining, 15 December 1921, lot 117; G. Hamilton-Smith (III), Glendining, 23 May 1927, lot 331; Spink’s Numismatic Circular, November 1927 (72905); Spink’s Numismatic Circular, November 1936 (56098); Capt. R.D. Wills, Glendining, 6 December 1938, lot 528; S.R. Naish, Seaby’s Coin and Medal Bulletin, Fixed Price List 338, November 1945 (N207), Dr E.C. Carter (collection purchased by A.H. Baldwin & Sons, 1950).

Estimate: GBP 7000 - 9000