Watch List notes:

Charles II Pattern Farthing 1665, Peck-434 (scarce), long hair variety, copper, MS65 BN NGC, prooflike if not in fact proof, boldly detailed, tiny field abrasions, decidedly choice surfaces, and simply stupendous eye-appeal resulting from vivid bluish red iridescence. These patterns, attributed to John Roettier, Charles II's chief die engraver, are the first coins to depict the allegorical Britannia on any British coin. Popular legend holds that the engraver took the image from a bronze Sestertius of the Roman emperor Antoninus Pius the reverse of which denoted Britannia as a province of Rome, and here we clearly see the very name of Britain spelled out in classic form in the exergue beneath the allegorical figure. Surrounding it is a Latin legend that translates to mean "I Claim the Four Seas" and this essentially continues the mystique of majesty and domination, suggesting a continuum of empire much as the obverse legend, Carolus a Carolo, does the same -- Charles to Charles, it declares, ignoring the intervening civil war and Commonwealth. The obvious elegance of these new coppers notwithstanding, commerce held sway and most known pieces show use, in some cases a great deal of circulation wear, as the need was great, and the coinage slight, for the purposes of business. The patterns of 1665 differ from the coins made entirely for commerce beginning in 1672 mainly in the altered reverse legend, but also in the placement of portions of this legend and the date moved to the exergue, as well as in fine details of the king's portrait. Few farthings of this reign -- whether pattern or regular issue -- can match the magnificent royal bust seen on this truly glorious specimen.From The Estate of John C. Hugon.

Estimate: 1000.00-1500.00 USD