The New York Sale
Auction LIII 14 Jan 2021
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Charles I (1625-49). Silver Halfcrown, Salopia (Shrewsbury) Mint circa 1644. Mint mark, lis, King on horseback left with raised sword, horse with mane blown forward, Rev. Small crowned oval shield, weight 14.52g (S.3124; N.2605). Very rare. In NGC holder graded AU 58. Estimated Value $4,000
NGC Certification 4930815-055
This important market town of Shrewsbury in Shropshire had been a staunch Royalist stronghold since the outbreak of the Civil War in 1642 and frequently served as a base of operations for Charles' skilled cavalry commander, Prince Rupert, the Duke of Cumberland. The coin may very well have been struck to finance Rupert's 1644 campaign against the Parliamentarian forces in Northern England, which began with a muster of the Royalist army at Shrewsbury in May. Unfortunately, despite some initial successes, Rupert suffered a major defeat at the Battle of Marston Moor on 2 July, after which the North was completely lost to the Royalists. The Parliamentarian forces failed to immediately capitalize on their victory, however, and Shrewsbury remained a key Royalist supply depot until 22 February 1645, when a Parliamentary sympathizer in the town opened St. Mary's Water Gate (subsequently renamed Traitor's Gate) and permitted troops under Thomas Mytton to enter. The capture of Shrewsbury was a great coup for the Parliamentarian cause, as it brought the final defeat of Charles I much closer. Nevertheless, the victory was marred by Mytton's implementation of the Long Parliament's Ordinance of No Quarter, which decreed summary execution for Irishmen captured while fighting in support of the English king. In revenge for the Irish captives killed at Shrewsbury, Prince Rupert ordered the execution of Parliamentarian captives held at Oswestry.
The William Oldknow Collection.
NGC Certification 4930815-055
This important market town of Shrewsbury in Shropshire had been a staunch Royalist stronghold since the outbreak of the Civil War in 1642 and frequently served as a base of operations for Charles' skilled cavalry commander, Prince Rupert, the Duke of Cumberland. The coin may very well have been struck to finance Rupert's 1644 campaign against the Parliamentarian forces in Northern England, which began with a muster of the Royalist army at Shrewsbury in May. Unfortunately, despite some initial successes, Rupert suffered a major defeat at the Battle of Marston Moor on 2 July, after which the North was completely lost to the Royalists. The Parliamentarian forces failed to immediately capitalize on their victory, however, and Shrewsbury remained a key Royalist supply depot until 22 February 1645, when a Parliamentary sympathizer in the town opened St. Mary's Water Gate (subsequently renamed Traitor's Gate) and permitted troops under Thomas Mytton to enter. The capture of Shrewsbury was a great coup for the Parliamentarian cause, as it brought the final defeat of Charles I much closer. Nevertheless, the victory was marred by Mytton's implementation of the Long Parliament's Ordinance of No Quarter, which decreed summary execution for Irishmen captured while fighting in support of the English king. In revenge for the Irish captives killed at Shrewsbury, Prince Rupert ordered the execution of Parliamentarian captives held at Oswestry.
The William Oldknow Collection.