Coins

Country: England
King (reign): Edward III (1327 - 1377)
Denomination/metal: Silver Groat
Date/mint mark: mm. cross potent, London 1361-1369
Type Treaty period; Double annulet stops
Ref. no: N 1252; S 1617; Lawrence 20/20; Stewartby p260

Obv. Crowned, facing bust within tressure, 'EDWARD DEI G REX ANGL DS HYB Z AQT Edward by the Grace of God king of England, Lord of Ireland and Aquitaine. Rev. Long cross over two circular legends , 'POSVI DEVM ADJVTVRVM MEVM' I have made God my helper and 'CIVITAS LONDON, City of London, groups of 3 pellets in each angle.
17mm, 4.62g. GVF - Good Very Fine or better, well struck portrait

Exceptionally good specimen – well struck up portrait (normally usually fairly weak), all legend clear, nicely patinated, rare thus. Edward III struck towards the end of the '100 years' war in the 1360s when Peace had been signed with France. To acknowledge this Edward dropped 'France' off the titles on his coins although he kept Aquitaine. The treaty of Bretigny brought a period of peace for nine years during the Hundred Years War. As part of the treaty Edward was given control of the areas of Gascony, Calais and Ponthieu as long as he agreed to give up his claim for the French throne. ex G Doubleday via Glendinnings June 1972

Country: England
King (reign): Elizabeth I (1558 - 1603)
Denomination/metal: Silver Penny, Six (Sixpence)
Date/mint mark: mm. latin cross, 1580
Type: Hammered
Ref. no: N 1997; S 2572

Obv. Crowned bust left of Elizabeth (Bust '5a'), rose behind, all in beaded circle Rev. Royal Arms on a long cross fourchee , dated
26mm, 3.13g. VF - Very Fine, little weak on legend in front of facet, very lightly patinated

Good portrait, pretty coin of this famous monarch.

Country: England
King (reign): Elizabeth I (1558 - 1603)
Denomination/metal: Silver Penny, Six (Sixpence)
Date/mint mark: mm. acorn, 1575
Type Third and Fourth Issue Type
Ref. no: N.1997; S.2563

Obv. Crowned bust left, rose behind Rev. Long cross fourchee over shield
25mm, 2.9g. VF - Very Fine, nicely toned.

Good portrait, all legend legible

Country: England, Stuart
King (reign): Charles I (1625 - 1649)
Denomination/metal: Gold Pounds, Three (Triple Unite)
Date/mint mark: 1642
Type Oxford Mint, 'Declaration'
Ref. no: Schneider 286; N 2381; S 2724

Obv. Half length tall figure of Charles to left, wearing crown and full armour holding a sword and an olive branch. Plumes behind, 'CAROLVS DG MAG BRIT FRAN ET HI REX'. Rev. Declaration in a three line scroll, 'RELIG PROT / LEG ANG / LIBER PAR' (Protestant Religion, Laws of England, Liberty of Parliament), three plumes above with mark of value, date below; around 'EXVRGAT DEVS DISSIPENTVR INIMICI' (Let God arise and let the enemy be scattered).
46mm, 27g. GVF - Good Very Fine, strongly struck

TheTripleUnite, valued atsixty shillings, 60/-or three pounds, was the highestEnglishdenomination to be produced. It was struck at the Oxford Mint set up during the first English Civil War of 1642-6 and issued between January and March of 1642 at the hurriedly set up mint at New Inn Hall in Oxford. This huge coin was issued, at least in part, for use as gifts to those whom the King wished to 'cement' to his side in the Civil War. Thus he obverse design for the coin features an armoured bust of Charles I, with broadsword raised, and yet in visual dichotomy he bears an olive branch clutched over his heart. Charles was visually appealing to either nature of the benefactor he was seeking to entice. The bust on this coin is very hawkish which is the earliest type, later he had it changed to a more benevolent softer style. On the reverse he put his famous declaration – uttered in 1642 when he swore to to uphold the Protestant Religion, the laws of England and the freedom of Parliament. Very rare and spectacular coin!

Country: England, Stuart
King (reign): Charles I (1625 - 1649)
Denomination/metal: Gold Shillings, Twenty (Unite)
Date/mint mark: mm. lis, 1625
Type Tower Mint, Gp. A, Class II
Ref. no: Schneider 114-15; Brooker 22; N 2146; S 2685

Obv. Crowned bust of Charles left, wearing elaborate ruff and ermine, denomination 'XX' behind, 'CAROLVS D'G' MAG' BRI' FRAN' ET HIB' REX'. Rev. Crowned, garnished Royal Arms, 'FACIAM EOS IN GENTEM VNAM' (I will make them into one nation).
35mm, 8.99g. GVF - Good Very Fine

Handsome piece, well struck – marvellous detail to the bust of the king. Scarce thus. This piece is particularly interesting as it is was issued in the first year of Charles's reign and thus he is represented on the coin in his coronation robes – the elaborate ruff, ermine mantle and gold chin. Very good portrait indeed.

Country: England
King (reign): Charles I (1625 - 1649)
Denomination/metal: Silver Crown, Half
Date/mint mark: Triangle
Type: Hammered
Ref. no: N 2211; S 2776

Obv. King in armour with drawn sword on horse right, on rough ground (Group III) Rev. Oval, garnished Royal Arms
14.64g. AVF - About Very Fine

Good unclipped halfcrown

Country: Great Britain
Type: Struck
Ref. no: MI II 359/197; E438

Obv. Crowned, draped bust of Anne left Rev. Victory flying over a battle scene in woods.
47mm, 37.08g. AEF - About Extremely Fine, good tone, traces of original lustre.

Battle of Malplaquet 1709. Medal by J. Croker to celebrate the British and Allied Victory over Bourbon France near Mons in the war of the Spanish Succession. Although the Allies under Marlborough won the battle (took the field) they actually lost twice as many men as the French. GOOD QUALITY PIECE OF A FAMOUS BATTLE

Country: Great Britain
Date/mint mark: 1713
Type: Struck
Ref. no: MI II 399/256; E458

Obv. Laureate draped bust of Anne left Rev. Britannia seated half left, holding olive branch, men ploughing and ships sailing behind
58mm, 61.32g. AEF - About Extremely Fine, good even toning

Peace of Utrecht 1713. silver medal by J. Croker commemorating the Treaty of Utrecht which concluded the war of the Spanish Succession between Britain, Prussia, Austria and the NL against France and Spain. PRETTY AND GOOD CONDITION MEDAL OF THE END OF THE WAR THAT SHAPED EUROPE AS IT IS TODAY.

Country: Great Britain
Date/mint mark: 1717
Type: Struck
Ref. no: MI II 437/39; E479

Obv. Laureate, draped,cuirassed bust of George right Rev. Clemency leaning on a pillar touching a snake with her caduceus
45mm, 0g. UC - Uncirculated, with almost all original lustre

Act of Grace and Free pardon 1717 Copper medal by J. Croker. On the 15th. of July Parliament passed this act to pardon all, with few exceptions, who had taken part in the Jacobite Rebellion. Clemency is 'tranquilising' the serpent of Rebellion with her caduceus – as Mercury did in the formation of the first caduceus. SUPERB CONDITION, JACOBITE INTEREST.

Country: Great Britain
Type: Struck
Ref. no: MI II 612/276; Woolf 55;7b

Obv. Equestrian portrait of Duke of Cumberland, sword drawn Rev. Scene of the battle with rebels fleeing
34mm, 13.7g. GVF - Good Very Fine to Extremely Fine . Generally bright with light surface marks

Battle of Culloden 1746. Medal by unknown maker. Bonnie Prince Charlie had advanced into England as far as Derby and then retreated north of the border. The Duke of Cumberland followed him north and after some resistance eventually met Charles at Culloden Moor near Nairn. The Jacobite army was routed in an hour with much slaughter and the Stuart rebellion was extinguished. VERY GOOD SPECIMEN OF THIS MEDAL MADE FOR PUBLIC DEMAND

Country: Great Britain
Date/mint mark: 1760
Type: Struck
Ref. no: BHM 3; E17

Obv. Draped and cuirassed bust left of George Rev. Britannia standing facing, holding cap of liberty and cornucopia, lion arms and Union shield beside.
41mm, 28.74g. GVF - Good Very Fine, nicely patinated

Accession of George III 1760. Medal by T. Pingo commemorating the accession of George II's grandson, George III. VERY RARE IN SILVER, MONARCH WITH U.S. RELEVANCE

Country: Great Britain
Type: Struck
Ref. no: BHM 3; E17

Obv. Draped and cuirassed bust left of George Rev. Britannia standing facing, holding cap of liberty and cornucopia, lion, arms and Union shield beside.
41mm, 29.98g. AEF - About Extremely Fine – reverse better, attractive patina , even brown toning

Accession of George III 1760. Medal by T. Pingo commemorating the accession of George II's grandson, George III. VERY GOOD CONDITION, US RELEVANCE

Country: Barbados
King (reign): George III (1760 - 1820)
Denomination/metal: Copper Penny
Type: Milled
Ref. no: KM.Tn8

Obv. Crowned slave's head Rev. Pineapple
32mm, 0g. EF - Extremely fine, toned

Very interesting coin with the crowned black slave's head, pun on Prince of wales motto

Country: Iran, Qajar Dynasty
King (reign): Fath'Ali Shah (1797 - 1834)
Denomination/metal: Gold Toman
Date/mint mark: Dar el-Ibadat Yazd, 1798
Type: Hammered type S.2
Ref. no: KM.739

Obv. Arabic inscription Rev. Arabic inscription
25mm, 6.12g. VF - Very Fine, weakly struck in places, small test punch

Pretty coin. Has a test mark.

Country: Great Britain
King (reign): George III (1760 - 1820)
Denomination/metal: Copper Penny
Date/mint mark: 1806
Type Late Soho Coinage
Ref. no: S.3780; Peck.1343

Obv. Laureate, draped bust right Rev. Britannia seated left
34mm, 19g. UC - Uncirculated, trace of lustre

Lovely coin, good patination, couldn't get one much better.

Country: Great Britain
Date/mint mark: 1807
Type: Struck
Ref. no: BHM 627; E983

Obv. Bare bust of Wilberforce right Rev. Britannia standing with Victory above and other allegorical figures around her
53mm, 61g. EF - Extremely Fine, bronzed. Struck from rusty dies – therefore pocking on face

Abolition of the Slave Trade 1807. Medal by T. Webb for the 'Gentleman's Magazine' in 1809 to commemorate the abolition of the Slave trade in British Possessions. PORTRAIT MEDAL OF WILBERFORCE, ANTI SLAVERY MEDAL, ALL STRUCK FROM RUSTY DIES.

Country: Great Britain
Type: Struck
Ref. no: BHM 986; E118

Obv. Bare bust left of Wellington Rev. 35 line legend
55mm, 74.53g. UC - Uncirculated. Good patina with underlying lustre

Duke of Wellington appointed Governor of Plymouth 1819. Medal by Webb & Rouw for J. Mudie to commemorate this appointment. SUPERB CONDITION, VERY HIGH RELIEF MEDAL

Country: Great Britain
Date/mint mark: 1849
Type: Struck
Ref. no: BHM 2351; E1439

Obv. Coroneted bust of Victoria left. Around - Lords names holding cabinet positions Rev. Names of Members of House of Commons in 50 lines
95mm, 0g. AEF - About Extremely Fine, bronzed

Members of the House of Commons 1849. Medal by L. C. Lauer showing the make-up of the House of Commons and on the obverse those in the House of Lords with cabinet positions. ENORMOUS MEDAL, POLITICAL INTEREST.

Country: Japan
King (reign): Mutsuhito, Meiji (1876 - 1912)
Denomination/metal: Gold Yen, Twenty
Date/mint mark: Year 3 (1870)
Type: Milled
Ref. no: KM Y 13; JNDA 1-1, J&V L1

Obv. Japanese dragon with the value (inscribed as ???) below, the issuing authority (???) to the left, and the year of minting (in Meiji) to the right. Rev. A chrysanthemum surrounded by a wreath, a banner either side. Above the imperial seal of Japan, below the Paulovnia crest.
35mm, 33.33g. GEF - Good Extremely Fine.

The first year of the Japan 20 Yen gold series, and the only large size 20 Yen issue with a mintage over 1,000. The 'iconic' coin of the Japanese series – the 'penny black' or the 'Una and the Lion' !

Country: Great Britain
King (reign): Victoria (1837 - 1901)
Denomination/metal: Silver Penny, Six (Sixpence)
Date/mint mark: 1873
Type: Milled
Ref. no: S 3910; ESC 1727; Dav. 1079

Obv. Young, filleted bust of Victoria left Rev. Denomination crowned, in a laurel and oaken wreath. Die No. 78.
19mm, 2.82g. AS - As struck, toned with considerable lustre

Superb example – highest grade possible.

Country: Great Britain
King (reign): Victoria (1837 - 1901)
Denomination/metal: Silver Penny, Six (Sixpence)
Date/mint mark: 1874
Type: Milled
Ref. no: S 3910; ESC 1728; Dav. 1084

Obv. Young, filleted bust of Victoria left, second head Rev. Denomination crowned, in a laurel and oaken wreath. Die No. 61
19mm, 2.82g. AS - As struck, toned with considerable lustre and coloured toning

Superb example – highest grade possible.

Country: Great Britain
Date/mint mark: 1890
Type: Struck
Ref. no: BHM 3407; E1756

Obv. Crowned bust of Victoria left in laurel wreath, below stamped envelope with stage-coach and train, Royal Arms beneath Rev. Bust of Sir Rowland Hilll three-quarters right, Mulready envelope below, rose, thistle and shamrock below that.
65mm, 106.1g. GEF - Good Extremely Fine, considerable amounts of original lustre

Golden Jubilee 1890, of the Uniform Penny Postage. Medal by L.C. Lauer to commemorate this event. SUPERB CONDITION, PHILATELLIC INTEREST.

Country: Great Britain
King (reign): George VI - (1936 - 1952)
Denomination/metal: Banknote Pounds, One Million
Date/mint mark: Bank of England

0mm, 0g. VF - Small hole cancellation through signature. Light creases and some handling otherwise good very fine to about extremely fine and extremely rare.

One Million Pounds, 30 August 1948, D 000007, on Bank of England watermarked paper, PAYABLE ON DEMAND, signature of E.E. Bridges, Secretary to the Treasury, bottom right, stamped ‘CANCELLED, 6 OCT. 1948, BANK OF ENGLAND’. Monies received through the Marshall Aid plan after World War II, were subject to strict accountability. The Treasury had to borrow from the Bank of England on a short term basis and to help with the book keeping requested the printing of high value notes. The total order sent to The Bank of England printing works was for Three Hundred Million Pounds in varying denominations, starting from Twenty Five Thousand Pounds. It is believed that the entire issue was subsequently destroyed with the exception of numbers Seven and Eight for One Million Pounds which were presented to the British and American Treasury Secretaries respectively.

Country: England, Tudor
King (reign): Henry VIII (1509 - 1547)
Denomination/metal: Gold Angel
Date/mint mark: mm. castle, 1509-1513
Type First Coinage
Ref. no: Schneider 557-9; N 1760; S 2265

Obv. The Angel Michael spearing a recumbent dragon, both feet on dragon, 'hENRIC' VIII DI GRA REX AGL' Z F'. Rev. Medieval ship with Royal Arms on cross mast, 'h' and rose either side, bowsprit on right forecastle, 'PER CRUCE TVA SALVA NOS XPC RED' (By thy cross save us, Oh Christ our redeemer).
29mm, 5.02g. VF - Very Fine, good strike

Very Fine - all details generally visible, fully round, good clear face. Rare variety – not exact match in Schneider. For the first sixteen years Henry VIII's coinage followed the pattern of his father's – except that he put the 'VIII' after his name to distinguish them as they were both Henry.

Country: England
King (reign): Edward III (1327 - 1377)
Denomination/metal: Silver Sterling
Date/mint mark: Bordeaux 1344
Type French Feudal Coinage
Ref. no: Elias 56

Obv. Crowned bust half left, leopard below Rev. Long cross, crowns in angles
19mm, 1.27g. VF - Very fine

Very good example of this ’Esterlin’ struck by Edward III for circulation in his French province of Aquitaine. Rare in this condition and bearing a very interesting portrait of the king – a bust three-quarters to the left. For a long time there has been conjecture as to when exactly this issue was struck and now it is generally accepted, as argued by Elias from documentary evidence, that the most likely date of issue is 1344. Hoard evidence slightly contradicts this and points to an earlier issue time of 1335 to 1337 but the problem with this dating is that the mint at Bordeaux is thought not to have been active in these years. Either way, the issue was produced in the early years of the reign of Edward III.

Country: England, Tudor
King (reign): Elizabeth I (1558 - 1603)
Denomination/metal: Silver Testerns, Eight (Dollar)
Date/mint mark: 1600-1601 O'
Type: Hammered
Ref. no: Prid 1; S 2607a

Obv. Crowned Royal Arms dividing crowned 'ER', 'ELIZABETH D' G' ANG' FR' ET HIB' REGINA'. Rev. Crowned portcullis, 'POSVI DEVM ADIVTOREM MEVM', (I have made God my helper).
42mm, 26.95g. EF - Extremely Fine, well struck and fully rounded, good plum-grey toning

Exceptionally rare and well struck exhibiting little or no wear. Certainly one of the finest known. Superb and exceptionally rare coin. Portcullis money was struck at the Tower Mint for the use of the Governor and Company of Merchants of London and of course the East India Company. They are considered by many to be our first purely colonial issues. Basically they were produced with the intention to compete with the Spanish "pieces of eight” and were minted in denomintations of one, two, four and eight testerns and secondly to consolidate Britain's influence in the economic and commercial struggle with other would be colonisers. Unfortunately the coins were not a success and were not popular with traders in the East, who were suspicious of these new strange looking coins – preferring the accepted Spanish coins. There are only thought to be less than two hundred surving coins (of all four denoms.) of which many are in museums.

Country: Great Britain
Type: Cast
Ref. no: BHM 737; E1025

Obv. Bust left of Duke of Wellington Rev. Altar with arms of Britain, Portugal and Spain, around arms and colours
47mm, 13.35g. EF - Extremely Fine. Made of two clichees that have been joined together to produce the single medal. Consequently the inside of the medal is hollow – or is filled with soft packing and thus, in parts, the medal is a little ‘concave’.

British Army enters Madrid 1812. Medal by Wyon to celebrate the taking of Madrid on the 12th. of August 1812. The French had occupied the city from March 1808 but after losing the battle of Salamanca a few days earlier, they fled the city. RARE VARIATION OF THIS MEDAL. (UNRECORDED)

Country: England, Stuart
King (reign): Anne (1702 - 1714)
Denomination/metal: Gold Guinea
Date/mint mark: 1714
Type Third Draped Bust
Ref. no: S 3574

Obv. Draped bust left, 'ANNA DEI GRATIA'. Rev. Crowned Royal Arms in cruciform, garter star centre, sceptres in angles, 'MAG BRI FR ET HIB REG'.
25mm, 8.13g. VF - Very fine, reverse good Very Fine, with original lustre

Although this is the regular issue this piece is a particularly nice example – only exhibiting a small amount of wear on the upper curls of Anne's hair by her ear in the centre of the coin. The coin exhibits traces of original lustre particularly on the reverse which can be seen specifically in the protected areas of the fields either side. All in all a very pretty little coin and a good example.

Country: England, House of York
King (reign): Edward IV (1461 - 1470)
Denomination/metal: Gold Ryal
Date/mint mark: mm. crown only, 1466 - 1467
Type London Mint, Light Coinage
Ref. no: Schneider 364; S 1951

Obv. Crowned king in medieval ship holding sword and Royal Arms, flag with Gothic 'E' to right. No mint mark. 'EDWARD DIE GRA REX ANGL S FRANC DNS IB' (Edward by the Grace of God king of England, France, Lord of Ireland). Rev. Cross 'fleur de lise' with crowned leopards in angles, rose on star in centre, all within tressure of eight arches, small lis in angles. Crown mint mark: 'IHC AVT' TRANSIENS PER MEDIVM ILLORVM IBAT', (But Jesus, passing in the midst of them, went his way).
24mm, 7.64g. VF - Very Fine, well struck with a very small flan flaw

Very good example of this quintessential medieval coin. Uncommon in this well struck and little worn condition. This beautiful and large medieval coin, issued right in the middle of the Wars of the Roses by the Yorkist king Edward IV during his first reign. As well as being an flamboyant example of medieval art it also illustrates well England's contention to being a sea power, portraying Edward aboard a ship rather than sitting on a throne.

Country: England, Stuart
King (reign): Charles II (1660 - 1685)
Denomination/metal: Silver Shilling
Date/mint mark: mm. crown, 1660 – 1662
Type First Hammered Issue
Ref. no: ESC 1010; N 2762; S 3308.

Obv. Crowned bust of Charles left, long hair and lace collar, no inner circle. 'CAROLVS II DG MAG BRIT FRA ET HIB REX'. Rev. Royal Arms on Cross moline, no inner circle, 'CHRISTO AVSPICE REGNO' (I reign under the auspice of Christ).
32mm, 5.9g. AEF - Almost Extremely Fine, toned

Issued in the first couple of years of the Restitution this shilling is important in two respects. Firstly it it marks the return to Latin from English and the putting back a monarch's head on coins of the realm and secondly it is the last of a series of coins that were struck by hand before Coin Mills and mechanised striking were exclusively practised by 1663. This is the first hammered issue after the Restitution and is not only rare – but exceedingly rare to find in well struck and unworn condition.

Country: England, Stuart
King (reign): Charles I (1625 - 1649)
Denomination/metal: Silver Shilling
Date/mint mark: mm. br, 1644
Type Bristol mint, 5 pellets
Ref. no: S 3015; N 2494; Brook 996

Obv. Crowned bust in lace collar left, denomination behind Rev. Three plumes over Declaration – 'REL PRO / LEG ANG / LIB PAR' (Protestant religion, English law, Liberty of parliament) and around 'EXVRGAT DEVS DISSIPENTVR INIMICI', (Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered)
31mm, 5.68g. GVF - Good Very fine, well struck on a large flan

Very rare to find in such good condition – these coins were struck in makeshift conditions – quickly and carelessly to get coin out to pay the troops – only the weight was important. This is a superb specimen in that it is strongly and centrally struck with a beautiful toning. When the Civil War began in 1642, the Tower mint fell into the hands of Parliament and Charles was forced to open a mints in Royalist held western England at Bristol, Shrewsbury and Oxford (1642 - 46). In September 1642 he made his famous 'Declaration speech' promising to uphold the Protestant Religion, the Laws of England and the Liberty of Parliament. This declaration in Latin is displayed on these western mint coins giving them the name of 'Declaration pieces'. In all a well struck rare coin in top condition with a local Bristol interest.

Country: England, Hanoverian
King (reign): George III (1760 - 1820)
Denomination/metal: Gold Shillings, Twenty (Sovereign of)
Date/mint mark: 1817

Ref. no: S 3785

Obv. Laureate head right, coarse hair, legend type A Rev. St. George and dragon
22mm, 7.98g. UC - Uncirculated, just about as struck

Superb coin with original lustre, a good specimen of this coin is for some reason very hard to find. Historical analysis of George III's life has gone through a "kaleidoscope of changing views" which have depended heavily on the prejudices of his biographers and the sources available to them. Until re-assessment in the later half of the twentieth century, his reputation in America was one of a tyrant and in Britain he became "the scapegoat for the failure of imperialism". He is most rememberd as "The Mad King" and "The King Who Lost America".

Country: England, Stuart
King (reign): James I (1603 - 1625)
Denomination/metal: Gold Shillings, Twenty (Laurel)
Date/mint mark: mm. 'rose', 1620 - 1621
Type Third Issue, Fourth head.
Ref. no: S 2638a

Obv. Laureate, draped bust of James left, denomination 'XX' behind, 'IACOBVS D'G' MAG' BRIT' FRAN' ET HIB' REX'. Rev. Crowned Royal Arms on cross fourchee, 'FACIAM EOS IN GENTEM VNAM' (I will make them into one nation).
35mm, 8.85g. VF - Very Fine, even strike, light colour

Good example - usually weakly struck this piece has a well struck portrait with all legend readable - also very nice even light toning and thus rare and desirable. In 1619 there was a currency reform and new 20 shillings piece was reduced in weigh making the former coins worth 22 shillings. To make it easy to differentiate between the two coins this new lighter coin was issued with James facing left - the other direction and wearing a laurel wreath rather than a crown. Consequently it became known as a 'Laurel'.

Country: England, Stuart
King (reign): James II (1685 - 1688)

Ref. no: MI I 535/186; E 241

Obv. Laureate, draped bust of Charles right Rev. Britannia seated right, contemplates her naives sailing in the sea to the left.
56mm, 74.19g. GEF - Good Extremely Fine, good toning with blue hues. Two minor edge-knocks.

Peace of Breda medal by J. Roettiers commemorating end of hostilities with the Dutch. The face of Britannia is recognisable as that of Mrs. Stuart, Duchess of Richmond who was Charles's mistress at the time! This likeness is spotted by Pepys who comments on it in his diary entry of the 25th Feb 1667. Rare in such good condtition, very handsome medal.

Country: England, Stuart
King (reign): Charles II (1665 - 1700)
Denomination/metal: Gold Shillings, Twenty (Unite)
Date/mint mark: mm. 'crown', 1660 - 1662
Type Hammered Coinage, First Issue.
Ref. no: S 3301; N 2753

Obv. Laureate, long-haired and draped bust of king left, 'CAROLVS II D G MAG BRIT FRAN ETM HIB REX'. Rev. Crowned, garnished Royal Arms dividing 'CR', 'FLORENT CONCORDIA REGNA' (Through Concord kingdoms flourish).
34mm, 9.05g. AEF - About Extremely Fine, good toning, obverse a little double struck

In 1651 Cromwell invited the Frenchman Pierre Blondeau over to London to set up his mint and produce machine made coins – a mechanised process which was generally established in Continental Europe. This change from hammered coins to milled coins was poised to happen when Charles II was restored to the throne in May 1660. Initially, in a hurry, he had coins in his name issued in the old way - by hand striking, but very soon Blondeau's milling machines were ready and in early 1663 the Royal Mint went over to full time mechanised production of coins - and the old way of striking by hand ended for ever. This gold Unite of 20 shillings is thus one of the last ever British coins to be hand struck. It is slightly off centre and a fraction double struck - all typical attributes of a hammered coin. However, it extremely beautiful and splendid, not to mention rare. The issue was not large and this is the rarer 'first type' issue which shows no mark of value (XX) behind the king's head. A very handsome 'Restoration' piece and last of an archaic form of coin production!

Country: England, Stuart
King (reign): Charles I (1625 - 1649)
Denomination/metal: Gold Shillings, Twenty (Unite)
Date/mint mark: mm. heart, 1629 - 1630
Type Tower Mint under king
Ref. no: S 2688

Obv. Crowned bust of Charles left, denomination behind, 'CAROLVS DG MA BR FR ET HIB REX'. Rev. Crowned and garnished Royal Arms, 'FLORENT CONCORDIA REGNA' (Through concord kingdoms flourish).
33mm, 9.12g. VF - Strong Very Fine

Very pretty coin – although there is some wear and weak areas to the legend the portrait is very strong and detailed. It is interesting to note that as this is an early issue Charles is wearing a ruff which was just going out of fashion. Coins struck after this issue portray him wearing the lace collar which is how we normally picture this Stuart king.

Country: Portugal
King (reign): Joao III, 1521 – 1557
Denomination/metal: Gold Reis, 1000 – ‘San Vicente’
Type Lisbon Mint
Ref. no: Gomes 181.01

Obv. Saint Vincent standing right holding ship and palm, two stars in field, 'VSQUE AD MORTEM ZELATOR FIDEI' (Defender of the faith, to the death). Rev. Crowned Royal Arms, 'IOANNES REX PORTVGAL'.
29mm, 7.18g. GVF - Good very Fine, a little short of flan

John III (João III) was the King of Portugal and the Algarves from 1521 to 1557, the second monarch of the new House of Aviz-Beja and succeeded his father at the age of nineteen. During his rule, Portuguese possessions were extended in Asia and in the New World through the Portuguese colonization of Brazil. John III's policy of reinforcing Portugal's bases in India (such as Goa) secured Portugal's monopoly over the spice trade of cloves from the Moluccas and nutmeg from the Banda Islands, as a result of which John III has been called the "Grocer King". On the eve of his death in 1557, the Portuguese empire spanned almost 1 billion acres (about 4 million square kilometers). During his reign, the Portuguese became the first Europeans to make contact with both China, under the Ming Dynasty, and Japan, during the Muromachi period. He abandoned Muslim territories in North Africa in favour of trade with India and investment in Brazil. In Europe, he improved relations with the Baltic region and the Rhineland, hoping that this would bolster Portuguese trade.

Country: England, Viking
King (reign): Sihtric, Hiberno-Norse King of Dublin (989-1036)
Denomination/metal: Silver Penny
Date/mint mark: 1015 – 1035
Type Hiberno-Norse, Phase II
Ref. no: DF 23; S 6125

Obv. Draped bust left, blundered legend. Rev. Voided Long Cross with tri-crescent endfs, with two small pellets in each angle, blundered legend
18mm, 0.87g. EF - Extremely Fine, well struck and nicely toned with golden lustre

The Vikings raided the British Isles at the end of 8th century and by the end of the 10th century were forming communities on the coastal fringes of Ireland – Dublin being one of their main strongholds held by Olaf Sihtricsson. The typical 10th century coin reads 'SIHTRIC RE +DYFLIN' Sihtric king of Dublin and later on in the early 11th century these pennies were copied by other moneyers – perhaps further along the coast, without understanding the meaning of the legend. Consequently, in around 1025 there appeared these pennies in the style of Sihtric but with gibberish legends. Such is this coin with its fantastically naïve and brutish portrait of Sihtric and the cross on the back which aided its being cut into halfpennies or farthings. Not only a very good condition but toned with hints of golden lustre makes this is a very desirable coin.

Country: England, Anglo-Saxon
King (reign): Harthacnut (1035 - 1042)
Denomination/metal: Gold Penny
Date/mint mark: 1035 – 1042
Type Danish issue, minted Lund

Obv. Armoured and diademed bust left, 'HARDACNUT'. Rev. Voided Long cross, each limb terminating in three crescents, crescents in two angles 'TOCI ON LVND' (Toci at Lund).
1g. GVF - Good Very Fine, strongly struck

Harthacnut was the only legitimate son and therefore heir of Cnut and on his father's death in 1035 inherited both England and Denmark. This silver penny is similar to his English issue except that there are crescents on the reverse and the moneyer is the Danish 'Toci of Lund' in southern Sweden, then part of the Danish realm. Harthacanut was prevented leaving Denmark due to political problems and only arrived in England in 1040 by which time his half brother Harold Harefoot and regent had rather secured the kingdom for his own. Harold's timely death allowed Harthacnut to reclaim England without bloodshed although the latter died only two years later. Before he returned to England, during Harold's Regency, coins were struck in both his and Harold’s name from 1035 – 1037 and this is one in Harthacnut's name around 1036. In June 1042 Harthacnut attended the wedding of his father's Standard Bearer in Lambeth where he died of excessive drinking – or possibly poison. He was succeeded by Magnus in Denmark and Edward the Confessor in England. Harthacnut was the last Danish king to rule England.

Country: Brazil, Portuguese
King (reign): Maria I, 1786-1789
Denomination/metal: Gold Reis, 6400 (Peca)
Date/mint mark: 1804
Type Mint of Rio de Janeiro
Ref. no: Russo 542; F 87

Obv. Draped bust right with elaborate hair-do, 'MARIA I D G PORT ET ALG REGINA'. Rev. Crowned Royal Arms in an elaborate ogee border.
32mm, 14.35g. EF - Extremely Fine, struck from rusty dies

As well as being Portuguese, these gold coins were also used in the early Australian settlement of New South Wales due to the acute need of current coin. On the 19th of November 1800 a Government Proclamation was made in Sydney legalising certain foreign coins as acceptable currency within the Colony and fixing a sterling value to them. This coin was fixed at £4 and was called a 'Joanna' because of the latinised name of the previous Portuguese monarch whose coins were most commonly met with. It was some 25 years later that Britain eventually sorted this problem out by ensuring that the colony had sufficient British coin. For the first quarter of the 19th century these 4 escudo pieces of Portugal was also legal tender in Australia as £4 pieces! Maria I (1734 – 1816) was Queen of Portugal, Brazil, and the Algarves. Known as Maria the Pious (in Portugal), or Maria the Mad (in Brazil), she was the first undisputed Queen regnant of Portugal. With Napoleon's European conquests and at the urging of the British government, on 29 November 1807, the entire Braganza dynasty decided to flee to Brazil to establish a Cortes-in-exile, in the Portuguese Viceroyalty of Brazil. Along with the Royal Family, she was transported aboard the nau Príncipe Real. During her move from the Royal palace to the docks she was heard screaming throughout the trip, in the middle of the crowd and in the carriage. The Queen's dementia was so great that she feared that she was going to be tortured or robbed during her movement by her servants. On 1 August 1808, the British General Arthur Wellesley (later Duke of Wellington) landed a British army in Lisbon and thus initiated the Peninsular War. Portuguese forces under British command distinguished themselves in the defence of the lines of Torres Vedras (1809–1810) and in the subsequent invasion of Spain and France. In 1815, Prince Regent João government elevated Brazil to the status of a kingdom, and Maria I was proclaimed the Queen of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves. When Napoleon was finally defeated in 1815, Maria and her family remained in Brazil. Very handsome coin of this first Brazilian queen and scarce date.

Country: England, Orange
King (reign): William (1694 - 1702)
Denomination/metal: Gold Guinea, Half
Date/mint mark: 1698
Type Second bust, late harp type
Ref. no: S 3468

Obv. Laureate, long haired bust of William right Rev. Crowned Royal Arms in cruciform, sceptres in angles, Lion of Orange in centre
20mm, 4.12g. AEF - Almost Extremely Fine

Although this is the regular issue this particular piece is a particularly nice example – only exhibiting a very small amount of wear on the upper curls of his hair by his ear in the centre of the coin. 'Heraldically' it is interesting as the coin exhibits the Rampant Lion of the House of Orange in the centre of the reverse

Country: England, Tudor
King (reign): Mary (1553 - 1554)
Denomination/metal: Gold Groat
Date/mint mark: 1553 – 1554
Type Only issue
Ref. no: S 2492

Obv. Crowned bust left, 'MARIA DG ANG FRA Z HIB REGI'. Rev. Royal Arms on a cross fourchee, 'VERITAS TEMPORIS FILIA' (Truth, the daughter of Time).
24mm, 2.18g. GVF - Good Very Fine, well struck with a beautiful dark patination

Very good example of this single issue (1553/54) of Mary, also the largest silver denomination, before she married Philip of Spain. Superb portrait, well struck, detailed and nicely toned. Rare. Aged 37 at her accession, Mary wished to marry and have children in order to leave a Catholic heir to carry on her religious reforms. To this end she removed her half-sister Elizabeth (a focus for Protestant opposition) from direct succession. Mary restored papal supremacy in England, abandoned the title of Supreme Head of the Church, reintroduced Roman Catholic bishops and began the slow reintroduction of monastic orders. Mary also revived the old heresy laws to secure the religious conversion of the country; heresy was regarded as a religious and civil offence amounting to treason (to believe in a different religion from the Sovereign was an act of defiance and disloyalty). As a result, around 300 Protestant heretics were burnt in three years - apart from eminent Protestant clergy such as Cranmer (a former archbishop and author of two Books of Common Prayer), Latimer and Ridley, these heretics were mostly poor and self-taught people. Apart from making Mary deeply unpopular, such treatment demonstrated that people were prepared to die for the Protestant settlement established in Henry's reign.

Country: Portugal
King (reign): Joao VI, 1816 – 1826
Denomination/metal: Gold Escudos, Four (Peca)
Type Lisbon Mint
Ref. no: Gomes 18.07; F 128

Obv. Laureate draped bust right, 'JOANNES VI D G PORT BRASIL ET ALG REX'. Rev. Crowned Royal Arms on a globe in an olive wreath.
32mm, 14.34g. UC - Uncirculated, with mint bloom, some light adjustment marks

John VI was King of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves from 1816 to 1822, and, although de facto the United Kingdom over which he ruled ceased to exist, he remained so de jure from 1822 to 1825; after the recognition of Brazilian independence under the 1825 Treaty of Rio de Janeiro, he continued as King of Portugal and the Algarves until his death in 1826. Under the said Treaty he also became Titular Emperor of Brazil for life, while his son, Emperor Pedro I, was both de facto and de jure the monarch of the newly independent country. He left a lasting mark, especially in Brazil, creating numerous institutions and services that laid a foundation for national autonomy, and is considered by many researchers the true mastermind of the modern Brazilian state. Still, he has been widely (if unjustly) viewed as a cartoonish figure in Luso-Brazilian history, being accused of laziness, lack of political acumen and constant indecision, and often portrayed as physically grotesque – which certainly the portrait on this coin supports!

Country: Afghanistan King (reign): Shah Zaman (1793 - 1801)
Denomination/metal: Gold Mohur
Date/mint mark: 1796

Ref. no: Km 715

Obv. Perso-Arabic script including date Rev. Perso-Arabic script including monarch's and mint name
22mm, 10.99g. EF - Extremely Fine, Well struck, small test punch on edge (as always)

The Durrani Empire (actually Afghan Empire was established in 1747 by Ahmad Shah Durrani at Kandahar, Afghanistan. It included the land that is now called Afghanistan, Pakistan, eastern Iran and western India.The Durrani Empire is considered the foundation of the modern state of Afghanistan, with Ahmad Shah Durrani (Ahmad Shah Baba) being the "Father of the nation". The Durrani dynasty diminished in the early 19th century when Afghanistan was fighting defensive wars with Persia on one side and British India on the other side. The Barakzai dynasty took over control of the kingdom but lost many of its territories by the end of the 19th century. It became what is now Afghanistan after the Anglo-Afghan Treaty of 1919 when the state became officially recognized by all the major countries in the world.

Country: England, House of York
King (reign): Edward IV (1471 - 1483)
Denomination/metal: Gold Angel
Date/mint mark: mm. cinquefoil/pierced cross
1472-147

Ref. no: Schneider 466; n 1626; S 2091

Obv. The angel Michael spearing a dragon, 'EDWARD DI GRA REX ANGL S FRANC' Rev. Royal arms below a cross in a ship, dividing an 'E' and a rose, PER CRVEM TVA SALVA NOS XPC REDEMPT' (By the cross, save us, oh Christ our Redeemer)
27mm, 5.11g. GVF - Good Very Fine, weak in one area of legend

Very rare mule with a different mint-mark either side. Also very good condition with facial features of angel well struck up. Small area of weakness in legend. Ex Lockett – the very best provenance.

Country: England, House of York
King (reign): Richard III (1483 - 1485)
Denomination/metal: Silver Groat, Half
Date/mint mark: mm. rose, 1485 - 1485

Ref. no: S 2613

Obv. Facing crowned bust of king, 'RICARD DI GRA REX ANGL' S FR'. Rev. Cross Potent, three pellets in each inner angle, 'POSVI DEVM ADJVTORE MEVM', (I have made God my helper) and 'CIVITAS LONDON' (City of London).
21mm, 1.32g. VF - Very Fine, toned

Richard III only ruled for some two years – so all his coins are rare. The halfgroat is the rarest silver denomination and they simply do not turn up and only appear on the market very periodically. This piece is a very good example of an excessively rare coin of a much collected monarch. Richard Duke of York, last Plantagenet, murderer of the Princes in the Tower, defeated by Henry Tudor at Bosworth in Leicestershire is one of the best known English kings, immortalised and 'smeared' by Shakespeare writing for a Tudor monarch, and once again is in the news with his body having been recently discovered under a Leicester car park!

Country: Turkey
King (reign): Muhammad V, 1909 – 1918
Denomination/metal: Gold Kurush, 500
Date/mint mark: 1913
Type Qustantiniyya Mint (Constantinople)
Ref. no: Pere 1019; KM 758

Obv. Mint name and denomination in laurel wreath with accession year 1327. Rev. Toughra with Rashat to right, regnal year '4' below - all within a laurel wreath.
36mm, 35.93g. EF - Extremely Fine or better

High value machine-struck Ottoman gold was, more often than not, mounted for suspension to act as a form of family savings rather than as circulating coins. This escaped this fate. Such 'unmounted' coins are rarely found today which, with the low mintage of this issue makes it a rare and desirable piece.

Country: England, Stuart
King (reign): Charles I (1625 - 1649)
Denomination/metal: Silver Crown, Half
Date/mint mark: 1645
Type Civil War Issue, Bristol Mint
Ref. no: S 3010

Obv. Charles, crowned and in full armour, riding left, plumes behind, 'BR' below, 'CAROLVS D G MAG BR FR ET HIB REX'. Rev. Proclamation, 'REL PROT, LE, AN, LI PA' (Protestant Religion, laws of England, Freedom of Parliament) between three plumes above and date, 'BR' (for Bristol) below. Around 'EXVRGAT DEVS DISSIPENTVR INIMICI' Let God arise and let the enemy be scattered).
35mm, 15.18g. AEF - About Extremely Fine, obverse a little softly struck, bright

Very good example struck from this hurriedly set up provincial mint of Bristol. These coins are normally quickly and badly struck but this example exhibits virtually no wear although the obverse is a little softly struck – but still exhibits a very nice portrait of Charles. When the Civil War began in 1642, the Tower mint fell into the hands of Parliament and Charles was forced to open a mints in Royalist held western England at Shrewsbury, Bristol and Oxford (1642 - 1646). In September 1642 he made his famous 'Declaration' promising to uphold the Protestant Religion, the Laws of England and the Liberty of Parliament. This declaration in Latin is displayed on these western mint coins giving them the name of 'Declaration' pieces.

Country: Portugal
King (reign): Miguel I, 1828 – 1834
Denomination/metal: Gold Escudos, Four (Peca)
Date/mint mark: 1830
Type Lisbon Mint
Ref. no: Gomes 16.01; F 138

Obv. Laureate draped bust right, 'MICHAEL I D G PORTUGALIAE ET ALGARB REX'. Rev. Crowned Royal Arms in a palm wreath.
31mm, 14.31g. GEF - Good Extremely Fine, strong strike with pleasing toning

Dom Miguel I was the King of Portugal between 1828 and 1834, the seventh child and third son of King João VI (John VI) and his queen, Carlota Joaquina of Spain. Following his exile as a result of his actions in the Abrilada, Miguel returned to Portugal as regent to his niece Queen Maria II of Portugal, and potential royal consort. As regent, he claimed the Portuguese throne in his own right, since according to the so-called Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom his older brother Pedro IV and therefore the latter's daughter had lost their rights from the moment that Pedro had made war on Portugal and become the sovereign of a foreign state (Brazilian Empire). This led to a difficult political situation, during which many people were killed, imprisoned, persecuted or sent into exile, and which culminated in the Portuguese Liberal Wars between authoritarian absolutists and progressive constitutionalists. In the end Miguel was forced from the throne and lived the last 32 years of his life in exile. The issue of gold coins in his reign due to this unrest, was limited and they were only struck in 1830 and 1831 and consequently are scarce. This is a very good condition example of a rare issue of coins.