Lot 2214
Great Britain. Third Hammered issue Shilling, Nd. S.3322; N.2764. Charles II, 1660-1685. Mint mark crown, circa 1662-early 1663. Obverse; Crowned bust of Charles left, long hair and lace collar, denomination (XII) behind, and all within beaded inner circle: CAROLVS II D G MAG BRI FRA ET HIB REX. Reverse; Royal arms on cross moline, inner circle CHRISTO AVSPICE REGNO (I reign under the auspice of Christ). Mint state and extremely rare thus. Flan a little uneven, naturally, at the top but crisply struck with beautiful lustrous pink and pastel blue grey toning which is very similar to that on the Bridgwater House coins. A strong portrait. NGC graded MS-62. Estimate Value $2,500 - 3,000
*Only a two-year type, this coin has additional interest in that it marks the return of Latin to British numismatics and the placing of the monarch's head on the coinage after the death of Cromwell. It was also one of the last series of hammered coins, for in 1663 the ancient method of striking coins by hand was finally superseded by machine-made or 'milled' coins. Coinage machinery was installed at the Royal Mint and Blondeau and the Roettier brothers had already engraved dies for the Lord Protector, with a safeguard against 'clipping.'
Smaller coins were later given a grained edge, whilst the larger coins were made with an inscribed edge. However, after regaining the throne in 1660, Charles was anxious to get coins bearing his portrait into circulation and so he initially set about issuing the hammered pieces made by hand, until the coin mills were properly set and ready to go. These produced superior milled coins and ended the practice of hand production for ever.
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| Realized $3,360 |
