Charles I 1643 Halfcrown, Oxford mint

Charles I (1625-49), silver Halfcrown, 1643, Oxford Mint, armoured King on horseback left, crowned holding sword, flowing scarf at back, Oxford plume in field behind, Latin legend and beaded borders surrounding, initial mark Oxford plume, CAROLVS. D: G: MAG: BRIT: FR: ET: HIB: REX., rev. Latin Declaration in two lines at centre between ruled lines RELIG: PROT: LEG / ANG: LIBER: PAR, three Oxford plumes above, date below, Latin legend and beaded borders surrounding, initial mark two pellets as colon, :EXVRGAT: DEVS: DISSIPENTVR: INIMICI, weight 14.25g (cf.Brooker 888; Morrieson D-3; Bull obv 597 / rev 604/4; N.2413; S.2954). Toned, with surface marks and a little weakly struck in places, otherwise about very fine and not a recorded obverse and reverse die combination in Bull, rare.

The abbreviated obverse legend translates as "Charles, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland. The abbreviated reverse Declaration translates as "The religion of the Protestants, the Laws of England, the Liberty of Parliament". The outer reverse legend translates as "Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered"

This silver Halfcrown was struck at the Oxford Mint where Charles I had moved his capital from London after the Battle of Edgehill, to the Royalist Universities of the City of Oxford, where he made a state entrance on 29^th October 1642. The King lived at Christ Church, with the Queen installed at Merton; the Royalist Parliament met in the Upper Schools and Great Convocation House; the Privy Council at Oriel; and the Mint worked at New Inn Hall from the 3^rd January 1642/3.