The Gary Oddie Collection of English Regal Shillings

Charles II (1660-1685), Milled coinage, Pattern Shilling [or Farthing], 1663, in copper, unsigned [by J. Roettiers], first bust variety right, carolvs ii dei gratia, rev. mag br fra et hi rex, crowned rose, thistle, lis and harp arranged cruciformly, harp with 7 strings, interlinked cs at centre, date between two crowns, edge grained, 5.68g/7h (ESC 562; BMC 488). A hint of original colour on reverse, very fine and very rare £600-£800

This lot is to be sold as part of a special collection, The Gary Oddie Collection of English Regal Shillings.

View
Collection

Baldwin Auction 52, 25 September 2007, lot 393.

Although this coin, and other regal issues of that date, was produced on new machinery at the Mint by Pierre Blondeau, the artist responsible was John Roettiers, not Blondeau himself as implied in ESC. Bearing the first bust variety of the King, they are presumed to have been struck late in the year, perhaps when the idea of a coinage of regal copper farthings was being mooted, although if so, the idea came to naught