Charles II (1660-85), gold Unite of Twenty Shillings, second hammered gold issue (1661-62), laureate and draped bust left, mark of value XX in field behind, legend and toothed border surrounding both sides, initial mark crown on obverse only, CAROLVS. II. D. G. MAG. BRIT. FRAN. ET. HIB. REX, rev. crowned quartered shield of arms, C to left, R to right, .FLORENT. CONCORDIA. REGNA., weight 9.03g (Schneider -, class II O7/R15; N.2754; S.3304). A little weakly struck in parts with a doubled profile to bust, lightly toned, very fine and a die combination that is not present in the Schneider Collection.

The second issue of the hammered gold displaying the mark of value was ordered in November 1660 despite the fact that Twenty Shilling pieces had risen in value to 21 Shillings and Fourpence in the August preceding. The last hammered gold coins were struck in October 1662 so about eleven months of production in total produced just over £31,000 worth of gold across three denominations.

There are many die varieties in this coinage and they were examined carefully by Herbert Schneider in his article “The Hammered Gold Coins of Charles II” in the British Numismatic Journal Volume 36 1967, pages 122-168.

Provenance:
Ex A. H. Baldwin and Sons Ltd, purchased 2006.