I said that I was reducing my Ancient coin collection to just twenty coins - and I intend to abide by that commitment. So what about the coins in this post? Well I assert that they are not part of a collection - that they in fact represent coins that I have (mostly) .uncovered in “odds and ends” boxes as I have been cleaning out my Scriptorium/Man-cave ……… coins that I tossed into those boxes for eventual research and proper storage - some of them many years ago. Why these particular coins? Well, I was born and grew up right in the middle of great British History. The well preserved Roman town site of Ribchester was only a short bicycle ride from my house. The Civil war battlefield of Preston, where the Parliamentarian forces achieved their crushing victory over The Royalists that effectively ended the war, was only a short bus ride away, and I have always been entranced by that conflict. I include a coin of James I because, although he did not participate physically in the English Civil War, his policies and advocacies had much to do with the path to conflict. I hope that reads alright - I composed it in a hurry. Anyway, here are some coins I intend to hold on too - ones that I can fondle as I read about and and/or research that history. I will shortly add a few more silver coins, including a couple of three-pences (threpp-ny-bits), that I have come across. As always with me, the quality and clarity of the Inscriptional lettering played a prominent role in the selection of these coins. James I, Charles I and Charles II —————————————————- James I (1603-1625) Silver Shilling (1603) Tower Mint (First issue Thistle) Seaby 2645, North 2072, Diameter: 30.2mm, Weight: 5.17gm. Obverse depiction: James I wearing a crown, draped bust facing right (XII) Inscription: JACOBVS DG ANG SCO FRA ET HIB REX (James by the Grace of God King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland) Reverse depiction: Centered Coat of Arms. Inscription: EXERGAT DEVS DISSPENTVR INIMIC (Let God arise and his enemies be scattered) ————————————————————- Charles I (1625-1649) Silver Half-Crown (1625) Tower Mint (Harp), Seaby 2771, North 2207, Diameter: 35mm, Weight: 15.13gm Obverse depiction: Charles I wearing crown and holding sword over his shoulder, mounted on plumed caparisoned horse walking left Inscription: CAROLVS DG MAG BR FR ET HIB REX (Charles by the Grace of God King of England, France and Ireland) Reverse depiction: Garnished oval arms at center. Inscription: CHRISTO AVSPICE REGNO (I reign under the auspices of Christ) —————————————————————- Charles II (1660-1685) Milled Silver Crown (1671) SPINK 3358, Diameter: 38mm, Weight: 29.58gm Obverse depiction: Draped bust facing right Inscription: CAROLVS II DEI GRATIA (Charles the second by the Grace of God) Reverse depiction: Four crowned shields, cruciform, the top bearing the arms of England, the right bearing the arms of Scotland, the bottom bearing the arms of France and the left bearing the arms of Ireland. In the angles formed by adjoining shields are two intertwined C's. At the center is the Star of the Garter. Inscription: MAG BR FRA ET HIB REX 16(71) (King of Great Britain, France and Ireland) Edge Inscription: * + * DECVS ET TVTAMEN ANNO REGNI VICESIMO TERTIO (An Ornament and a Safeguard) {to deter edge clipping} followed by date of minting information.
Thank you @Orfew. Oh I love those Charles I on horseback Coins - they are among my very favorite obverse depictions.
