AMERICAN NUMISMATIC ASSOCIATION
Home Join / Renew Contact Us Site Map
Coin Graphic
Advanced Search
Member Login Donate Teacher Tools ANA Clubs
MembershipExplore the World of MoneyNumismatic EventsCommunicationsShop at MoneyMarket
blue_white spacer image
Explore the World of Money
School of Numismatics
Getting Started
FAQs
Tips for Buying/Selling Gold
Research Tools from NGC
Money Museum
Virtual Museum
 Bebee Paper Money
 British Gold Coins
 Vermont Copper Coins
 Lesher Dollars
 State Quarters
 Faces of Money
Library
Money'Musements
Young Numismatists
Scout Page
Internships
Job Board
Current US Coins
Print this page
side_pic
Text size
[+] [-]
Spacer
Home Explore the World of MoneyVirtual Museum British Gold Coins

Charles I, 1625-1649

The reign of Charles I was beset by strife and contention, finally resulting in the Civil War that temporarily eliminated the monarchy. Under pressure, Charles signed a declaration that he would "preserve the Protestant religion, the known laws of the land and the just privileges and freedom of Parliament." This statement, which came to be known as "the Declaration" was inscribed in abbreviated Latin on the reverse of certain "Declaration unites": RELIG: PRO LEG: ANG LIBER: PAR.

Charles retained Sir Edward Villiers and Sir William Parkhurst as masters of the mint. He also introduced many new coin legends to replace those in use since the time of James I. Most of these legends ("the love of the people is the King's protection"; "God protect his worshipers") are indeed ironic, given the fact Charles' life ultimately was ended by his being beheaded.

Bust Styles and Die Varieties

The sovereigns of Charles I include numerous minor differences in the king's portrait. Points of variation occur in the king's crown, neck ruff, beard and robe. This coin series, like most others in the English hammered gold series, is complicated further by the fact that individual die varieties exist for each bust style.

The Gold Coins of Charles I

Charles I
Charles I

Double Crown value 10 shillings, wt. 70 grains.
1625 (one year type), 1st bust, Tower Mint, EF

Double Crown value 10 shillings, wt. 70 grains.
1631-1632, square-topped shield, Tower Mint, FDC
A milled coin with dies engraved by Nicholas Briot. It is in superb condition and in Europe would be described as FDC (fleur de coin).

Unite value 20 shillings, wt. 140 grains
1628-1629, 2nd bust, Tower Mint, VF+/EF
The unite was also called a "laurel" and a "sovereign."

Unite value 20 shillings, wt. 140 grains
1631-1632, Briot's coinage, Tower Mint, EF
This machine-made issue is easily identified by its uniquely shaped shield.

Unite value 20 shillings, wt. 140 grains
1633-1634, 4th bust, Tower Mint, EF
The king's long hair and small collar identify this type.

Unite value 20 shillings, wt. 140 grains
1643, Oxford Mint, VF
The obverse motto claims Charles is king of Great Britain, France and Ireland.

Unite value 20 shillings, wt. 140 grains
1643, Declaration reverse, Oxford Mint, VF
The legend translates as "the religion of the Protestants, the laws of England, the liberty of Parliament."

ImageTriple Unite value 60 shillings, wt. 421 grains
1643, Declaration reverse, Oxford Mint, VF+
The largest hammered gold coin ever produced in England, the coin shows the king holding an olive branch and sword, indicating his willingness to embrace peace or war in the English Civil War.

  Spacer
Spacer