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

Charles I (1625-1649), Exeter mint, Crown, mm. rose, 28.65g/10h (Besly C6; SCBI Brooker 1012 [Truro]; N 2532; S 3055). Score in obverse field otherwise good fine, reverse nearly very fine £500-£700

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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At the end of 1642, it was mooted by the government in London that a branch mint of the Tower should be set up in Exeter, the only time during the war that this was considered by the Parliamentarians, and in January it was ordered that moneyers should be sent to the city. Despite this and the fact that sufficient bullion was seemingly available, no coins were ever struck. The reason for this is not entirely clear. Exeter was then captured by the Royalist army in September 1643 and Vyvyan’s mint at Truro quickly transferred there. Although a new Commission was not received until the following January, there is evidence that coinage was already being struck by the end of September.