Charles II (1660-85). Gold Unite of twenty shillings, second hammered issue (1661-62), laureate and draped bust left, mark of value XX behind in field, Latin 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 406, class II O7/R14; N.2754; S.3304; Fr.276; KM.416). A little weakly struck at base of drapery and corresponding part of reverse, otherwise toned, good very fine. Estimate Value $13,000 - UP
Ex B A Seaby Ltd, London, purchased January 1946 for £13/10/- Ex A H Baldwin, fixed price list, Winter 2009, item BH024.
The abbreviated Latin legends translate as on the obverse "Charles by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland"; and on the reverse "Through concord kingdoms flourish." The initial indenture for coinage after the Restoration of Charles II was with a new Master Worker Sir Ralph Freeman on the 20th July 1660 allowing for both fine gold coinage which was used for Angels in the reign of Charles I, and for crown gold 22 carat (0.917 fine) for the denominations of the Twenty, Ten and Five Shillings pieces, so-called Unite, Half-Unite and Crown. Subsequently no fine gold coinage was struck, and the first issue of hammered gold did not have any denominations upon them, being struck from November 1660 till November of 1661. The second issue with mark of value like we have offered here was struck from November 1661 until October 1662, and was far larger than the first with at least £31,186 worth struck across the three crown gold denominations. Herbert Schneider wrote a detailed article about all the dies used on the hammered gold of Charles II in British Numismatic Journal volume 36, in 1967.