Ira and Larry Goldberg Auctioneers
Auction 116 2-3 Jun 2020
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Great Britain. Pattern Farthing, 1665. KM-PnR33; Peck-407. Charles II. Struck in silver. Edge strained grained. Very scarce. Obverse, short-haired portrait of king by John Roettier CAROLVS. A. CAROLO. 1665 around. Reverse, Britannia seated with spear and shield: QVATVOR. MARIA.VINDICO ("I claim the four seas") surrounding, BRITANNIA in exergue. Deeply toned in shades of indigo and grey/blue. A handsome piece, now rare in this grade. Mint State. Final grade and photos to be posted on the internet. Estimated Value $550 - 600
The king's portrait is more-or-less the same as that adopted for use on Charles II's copper currency farthings 1672-1679, and the reverse representation of Britannia appeared on the currency reverses, in similar mode.
Peck notes that opinions differ as to whether the figure of Britannia is really that of Frances Stewart, afterwards Duchess of Richmond, a prominent member of the Restoration court, who refused to become the king's mistress. It certainly seems that the diarist Samuel Pepys' recognition of the likeness of Ms Stewart came about as a result of insider information, a rather convincing rumour, or just wishful thinking.
The reverse legend "I claim the four seas" is indeed (according to Peck) rather pretentious. Snelling believes that the legend was abandoned to please Louis XIV of France, but it is more likely that it was dropped due to scathing remarks made by Lord Lucas in the House of Lords in 1670.
The king's portrait is more-or-less the same as that adopted for use on Charles II's copper currency farthings 1672-1679, and the reverse representation of Britannia appeared on the currency reverses, in similar mode.
Peck notes that opinions differ as to whether the figure of Britannia is really that of Frances Stewart, afterwards Duchess of Richmond, a prominent member of the Restoration court, who refused to become the king's mistress. It certainly seems that the diarist Samuel Pepys' recognition of the likeness of Ms Stewart came about as a result of insider information, a rather convincing rumour, or just wishful thinking.
The reverse legend "I claim the four seas" is indeed (according to Peck) rather pretentious. Snelling believes that the legend was abandoned to please Louis XIV of France, but it is more likely that it was dropped due to scathing remarks made by Lord Lucas in the House of Lords in 1670.