The Michael Gietzelt Collection of British and Irish Coins (1625-1660)

Charles I (1625-1649), Hawarden Castle (?), Halfcrown, mm. pear on obv., three pears on rev., horseman left, rev. oval shield garnished with lis and scrolls, hc in garniture at foot, 14.80g/12h (Bull 679; SCBI Brooker 1137, same dies; N 2626; S 3129). On an irregular flan as usual, four old vertical scratches on obverse, otherwise about very fine or better for issue and toned, rare £2,000-£3,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Michael Gietzelt Collection of British and Irish Coins (1625-1660).

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Provenance: DNW Auction 135, 21-4 March 2016, lot 656.

Based on the letters HC in the garniture of the shield, these coins were always, until very recently, attributed to a mint at Hartlebury Castle, situated 10 miles north of the city of Worcester. It was held for the King during the first four years of the Civil War, but surrendered to Roundhead forces on 12 May 1646 without a shot being fired. Other attributions for coins from this family group have been made by Pearce (SNC October 2012, pp.75-6, and January 2014, pp.140-3), who clearly demonstrates that the dies for the ‘Hartlebury’ issue were subsequently used at Chester in 1644, so have no connection with Hartlebury and a 1646 siege at all. Pearce postulates that the HC signature in the garniture signifies an issue struck at Hawarden Castle, 4 miles west of Chester, at the end of 1643 (OS)