Coins

Charles I (1625-1649), Chester mint, Shilling, mm. three pellets on obv. only, crowned bust left with lace collar, rev. crowned oval shield with lion-skin garniture, 5.69g/6h (Lyall d/vi; Sharp, BNJ 1982, p.246, 2, same dies; SCBI Brooker –; N 2630/1; S 3133A). Struck from oversized dies on a small but full-weight flan, about very fine and excessively rare
£6,000-8,000

Provenance: Found in Norfolk 2017.

This extremely rare coin would seem to be part of an emergency coinage struck during the siege of Chester in order to pay the troops. Although the correct size and weight for a Shilling, the inner circles on both sides of this coin are larger than normal. With a diameter of 24mm, the obverse die is of unusually detailed workmanship for a silver issue and cut in deeper relief than usual. It may have been intended for the striking of a gold coin and, in fact, the portrait bears a considerable resemblance to the unite illustrated in SCBI Brooker (1110). The reverse inner circle measures 26mm and the die is recorded by Lyall as being used on his halfcrown b/ii. As at other mints during the Civil War, the coins bear direct witness to the extraordinary circumstances under which they were struck