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For centuries, the most discerning collectors have understood that a rare coin is more than an asset; it is a tangible piece of history. We empower you to build a world-class collection, blending deep historical knowledge with clear, data-driven insights. This ensures you build a collection with the profound legacy of becoming a custodian of history, securing a verifiable and highly portable store of enduring value for generations to come.
Charles I Briot 1st Issue 1631-2
A superb example of a Charles I milled coin.
Guide Price £42,250
From the first series of ‘milled coins’ from Great Britain. An excellent example of this important coin.
A very rare and attractive coin from the famous ‘Briot’ issue of 1631-2.
Nicholas Briot was a Frenchman who invented a new method for minting coins that improved uniformity and therefore removed the risk of ‘clipping’ (where the metal was removed from the coins making them worth less). By 1605/6 Briot was appointed the chief engraver at the Paris Mint where he produced coronation medals for the young Louis XIII and in 1615 he submitted his design of a screw press to the Paris Mint. Having received little enthusiasm from the Mint he fled to England in 1625 in disgust at his treatment (and to evade creditors,)
Charles I wished to improve the artistry and quality of his medals and coinage and at some point after 1628 Briot was employed by the Royal Mint to produce new higher quality coins. He became Chief Engraver in 1633.
In 1631 and 1638 Briot produced a small number of coins using his revolutionary screw press alongside the hammered coins still being produced.
Charles I was impressed with Briot and at the outbreak of the English Civil War he went with the King to York and Oxford to continue the production of coins. From 1641 Briot travelled back and forth to France where he died in 1646. To this day his medals and coins are considered “gems of medallic art”.
Charles I was famously executed for treason in 1649 making him one of the country’s most famous rulers. His coinage continues to be popular with an example of his hammered ‘Triple Unite’ coin recently selling for $300,000!
Guide Price £42,250
Country: England
Monarch: Charles I (1625-1649)
Denomination/metal: Gold Unite of 20 Shilling
Type: Gold
Condition: AEF, well struck
Mint mark: London, flower
Obv. Crowned bust left wearing lace collar, XX behind, CAROLVS DG MAGN BRITANN FRAN ET HIB REX
Rev. Crowned Royal Arms in Rococo garnishing dividing crowned ‘CR', FLORENT. CONCORDIA. REGNA'.
Ref. N.2295; S.2719
We use ‘Guide prices’ for all items but are on hand to negotiate between buyer and seller. If this item is of interest then please contact us to start a conversation. We work with complete discretion for our clients and therefore don’t ever publish realised prices.
Charles II 1660 Twenty Shilling/Unite
A superb coin from the last series of hammered coins produced in England.
Guide Price £39,250
Struck at the start of Charles II reign and the restoration of the Monarchy.
Very rare earlier type and doubly rare as so well struck. A superb piece. Significantly the last of the hammered coins of England.
Charles II was one of the most beloved British King and was known as the ‘Merry Monarch’ because of his hedonistic court.
In the 1640’s Charles I was in a bitter war with both parliament and the puritans in the first English Civil War. Charles I took his young son (also named) Charles to battle with him and in 1645, at only 14, the young prince was named commander of the English forces in the west country. The following year Charles I was losing the war and surrendered. His son escaped the country for his own safety and joined his mother (who was the sister of Louis XIII) in exile in France.
In 1648 the second English Civil War started and Charles (still only 18 years old) moved to The Hague in hope of raising an army through his his sister Mary who was married to William II Prince of Orange. Unfortunately Charles was too late to save his father and in 1649 he was was executed on the orders of Oliver Cromwell - England became a republic (or less generously a military state).
Charles tried on several occasions to raise an army to take back the throne but caused much friction throughout Europe and never succeeded in his task. Most of his attempts centred on Scottish support (the Scottish Parliament announced him King of Great Britain, France and Ireland in 1649 after his fathers death) and whilst he invaded England on several occasions but never made it very far. Most famously, in 1651, he evaded English capture for 6 weeks before landing in Normandy - there were many narrow escapes which Charles enjoyed regaling his court with.
In 1658 Oliver Cromwell died and passed his title to his son Richard - who was ill equipped to rule and resigned the following year. After civil and military unrest and a change of parliament Charles was invited back to restore the Monarchy. He landed back in England and arrived in London on his 30th Birthday, May 29th 1660 and was crowned Charles II.
It had already been agreed that all but a select few would be forgiven for their parts in the Civil War and no retribution would be sought. This did not extended to Oliver Cromwell though and his head was posthumously severed from his body.
The rest of Charles’ life was not a quiet one with a Plague in 1665 and the Great Fire of London in 1666. He also had many quarrels with parliament and dissolved it on several occasions. He never sired a heir (but had around 12 illegitimate children!).
Guide Price £39,250
Country: England
Monarch: Charles II (1660-1685)
Denomination/metal: Gold 20 Shilling / Broad
Type: Gold
Condition: AEF - Graded by NGS as AU55 but this seems harsh as despite the quality it is actually a hammered coin.
Mint mark: Crown
Obv. Laureate (no berries) draped bust left, CAROLVS II D.G. MAG. BRIT. FRAN. ET. HIB. REX'. (no mark of value behind bust)
Rev. Crowned Royal Arms dividing 'CR', 'FLORENT. CONCORDIA. REGNA'.
Ref. Schneider cl II 03/R4; Sch.371; N.2753; S.3301
We use ‘Guide prices’ for all items but are on hand to negotiate between buyer and seller. If this item is of interest then please contact us to start a conversation. We work with complete discretion for our clients and therefore don’t ever publish realised prices.
Richard II Noble
A particularly good example of a rare Richard II Noble
Guide Price £9,500
Rare coin in exceptionally good condition.
The nobles of Richard II are all rare and this is a particularly good example.
Much of peoples posthumous views of Richard II have been shaped by Shakespeare’s play of the same name and whilst embellished is not entirely untrue.
Richard II gained the throne from his Grandfather Edward II in 1377. He was only 10 years old so much of the decision making was made on his behalf by a small group of advisers. This ultimately led too much discontent from a group of aristocrats who led a revolt and gained control in 1387. By 1389 Richard had regained control and bidded his time and ruled in relative harmony until 1397 when he took his revenge in a period known as Richards “Tyranny”.
One of the members of the rebellion who was spared was Richard’s cousin Henry Bolingbroke. They were childhood friends and Henry’s father, John of Gaunt, had been a key adviser to the King in his early years. In 1398 Henry ended up in a quarrel with the Duke of Norfolk and Richard called for a duel - but before the duel could take place Richard banished both of them to save the bloodshed. This was satisfactory until John of Gaunt died and Richard decreed that his land and titles would not pass to his son Henry. This enraged Henry who raised a small army and returned from his exile in France. It is said Henry only ever returned for what was rightfully his but the support was so great he ended up overthrowing Richard and taking the crown for himself as Henry IV.
Richard died from starvation in prison - whether this was his choice or not is a mystery never to be solved!
£9,500
Country: England
Monarch: Richard II (1377 - 1399)
Denomination/metal: Gold Noble 1385 AD
Type: Hammered Gold
Condition: GVF to EF - Good Very Fine to Extremely Fine, well struck, facial features of king clear.
Obv. King in ship holding shield of Royal Arms and sword, trefoil above sail, with French title, 'RICARD D G REX ANGL Z FRANC D hIB Z AQT
Rev. Cross fleuree with 'R' in centre and crowned lions passant in angles, double saltire stops, 'IhC AVTEM TRANSIENS PER MEDIV ILLORV IBAT'.
34mm, 76.7g
Ref. Schneider 126ff; N 1302; S 1654
We use ‘Guide prices’ for all items but are on hand to negotiate between buyer and seller. If this item is of interest then please contact us to start a conversation. We work with complete discretion for our clients and therefore don’t ever publish realised prices.
Elizabeth I Pound, 6th issue
Elizabethan coin from late in her reign. A beautiful example of one of the most attractive coins of the Tudor age.
Guide Price £25,000
An absolutely superb coin.
The Pound coins of Elizabeth I are rated by some as the most attractive of the Tudor coins making the quality of this coin even more impressive.
Whilst some coins were ‘milled’ (in a screw press) early in Elizabeth’s reign these coins were hammered using the old method. This make their elaborate design and intricacy even more impressive.
The design shows Elizabeth I towards the end of her reign with long flowing hair, a beautiful jewelled dress and high ruff.
There is little wear and is strongly and centrally struck meaning that all the details are clear with no weak areas at all. The darker toning between the letters project the legend. Magnificent detail in jewellery and embroidered dress. A very impressive contemporary portrait of this famous English queen – hard to better!
Elizabeth I is one of the most famous rulers of England along with her father Henry VIII, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II.
Her path to the throne was not a simple one but her 44 year rule provided great stability for the country. In what became know as the ‘Elizabethan Age’ she oversaw the flourishing of the arts, courtesy of playwrights such as Shakespeare, and England becoming a dominant seafaring nation. She famously never married, despite many suitors, and was ultimately celebrated for her virginity. After Elizabeth died the throne passed to James VI of Scotland (who’s mother Mary was executed by Elizabeth). This laid the foundations for the unification of England and Scotland and the Kingdom of Great Britain.
£25,000
Country: England
Monarch: Elizabeth I (1558 - 1603)
Denomination/metal: Gold Pound
Date/mint mark: Tun
Type: Hammered Sixth Issue (Fine gold – 0.995%)
Condition: GVF - Good Very Fine and very strongly struck.
Ref. no: Schneider 799, N 2008; S 2534.
Obv. Crowned bust of Elizabeth left, with long flowing hair and elaborate ruff and dress, 'ELIZABETH D G ANG FRA ET HIB REGINA'.
Rev. Crowned royal arms dividing E-R, 'SCVTVM FIDEI PROTEGET EAM', the shield of faith shall protect her.
Size & weight: 38mm, 11.2g.
Provenance : 1960s ticket with price £185.
We use ‘Guide prices’ for all items but are on hand to negotiate between buyer and seller. If this item is of interest then please contact us to start a conversation. We work with complete discretion for our clients and therefore don’t ever publish realised prices.