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 three 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 (Lessen type G dies 2/3; Schneider 421; Bull EGC 165 R3; N.2780; S.3337A). Lightly toned with some light adjustment marks across bust and around rims, some light weakness on high points and retaining an underlying brilliance, rare with only 3,400 struck, graded by NGC as MS60.

NGC Certification 6674772-003

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. The Schneider cataloguing says erroneously their example has no berries, and Bull says this variety has two when in fact they all have three berries when coupled with nine leaves.

Provenance:
Ex Heritage New York signature sale 6th January 2008, lot 51194 when this coin was previously graded as an MS61.

Estimate: £ 12000 - 15000