Lot 1123
Great Britain. Triple Unite, 1644-OXON. S-2729; N-2385: Extremely Rare "small module" variety. 27.05 grams. Charles I, 1625-1649. Oxford mint. Crowned bust left, holding sword and branch (without scarf). Reverse; Scrolled "Declaration." This variety has a long, florid olive branch and is similar to the North plate coin (plate IX, #106) if not sharper on part of the reverse legend. Superb example for issue, lustrous with beautiful reddish gold surfaces and on a full flan, with complete clear legends on both sides and only the slightest doubling. King's portrait is especially fine in detail. Very rare and historical! Pop 1; 1 in 62; 1 in 62+. NGC graded MS-61. Estimated Value $150,000 - UP
The complex series of coins minted during the great Civil War, which changed the nature and power of the English monarchy forever, remains fraught with coins not fully understood to this day, some even still mysterious, as they must be considering the exigencies of war. Studies by experts on each mint and period of the war continue to bring modifications to the cataloguing of the series. Much of the enjoyment of collecting the coins of this period indeed lies in what remains unknown or little understood about them. What is clear, however, is the urgent sense of majesty and claimed power projected by these, the largest of all gold pieces ever issued by any sovereign of the land. Relatively few were minted, and most of those must certainly have perished under Cromwell and the Commonwealth who usurped the centuries-old power commanded by a king who stood up to their challenge and paid the ultimate price for his arrogance, and for his belief in his divine right to rule.
Ex Dr Jacob Y. Terner Collection (by private treaty to the Millennia Collection). Illustrated in Money of The World, coin 102; Ex Goldberg "Millennia" Sale 46, May 26, 2007, lot 307.
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| Realized $336,000 |
