Charles I 1625 - 1649

mm Eye SC90, about Very Fine / Very Fine

Group I, frist horseman, type Ia, king on horseback left, horse caparisoned with plume on head and crupper, mm Cross Calvary over Lis. Reverse, Square-topped shield over long cross fourchee, mm Cross Calvary. Good Very Fine with much of the fine details clear, an outstanding example.

During the reign of King Charles I (1625–1649) the copper farthings - introduced by his father, James I – continued to be produced. There were two types called the “Richmond” and “Maltravers”- named after Frances Stewart, Dowager Duchess of Richmond and Lennox, and Lord Maltravers – who were awarded a patent by the King to produce the farthings. Due to the high number of forgeries, in 1636 Lord Maltravers was asked to introduce a new style of farthing which came to be called the Rose Farthing—it was much smaller and thicker than the “Maltravers”, but the revolutionary development was the copper coin had a small “plug” of brass inserted in the centre. This made the Rose Farthing an early example of a Bimetallic coin and also almost impossible to counterfeit, and the production of forgeries soon ended. The obverse shows two sceptres through a crown, and the legend CAROLVS DG MAG BRIT—Charles, by the grace of God, of Great Britain—while the reverse shows a double rose and the inscription FRAN ET HIB REX - France and Ireland King. These are being offered in Very Fine and would make a super addition to your farthing collection!

Charles I (1625-1649), Tower Mint Shilling, Group 1B, Mm. Lis. About Very Fine