Shropshire 1b (RR). Boscobel. Copper halfpenny. 11.58 gm. 29 mm. Made by Westwood. Laureate bust right; CHARLES THE SECOND OF ENGLAND 1650 around / An oak tree; BOSCOBEL HALFPENNY. Plain edge. Uncirculated; choice example of a fascinating rarity.

The Mike Sussman Collection of British Trade Tokens. Ex McKivor (from his private collection).

Samuel explains the imagery: After being defeated at Worcester, Charles II hid in a house at Boscobel with a large oak tree nearby. Charles hid in the oak tree as a Cromwellian search party was nearby. Fortunately for Charles, as the story goes, an owl that appeared wounded flew by and the search party followed the owl. The oak tree became a Royalist icon and was revered to its death as followers carried away branches. Whitmore records sales of 1 and 1a but none of 1b, the plain edge variety. I could find no recent sales.