HISCIS1625HU - Scotland, Charles I Gold Half-Unit first coinage

Scotland, Charles I (1625-49), gold Half-Unit or Double Crown, first coinage (1625-35), crowned bust of James VI of Scotland right with altered chin and beard, Latin legend and beaded borders surrounding both sides, initial mark thistle both sides, .CAROLVS. D. G. MAG. BRIT. FRAN. &. HIB. REX. rev. crowned quartered shield of arms, C struck over I to left, R to right, HENRICVS. ROSAS. REGNA IACOBVS. weight 4.92g (Burns 2 fig.1031; S.5528). A little double struck with a well defined portrait of the previous King, good very fine and extremely rare.

The change of monarch required a change of coinage by Act of Privy Council of the 15^th April 1625 for a new portrait and legend upon the coinages. With the gold denominations broadly the same portrait punches were used as per that of James VI with just a slight alteration to the beard and hair around the ear with the reverse dies reused with the C of Charles cut over the old I of James.

The Latin legends translate as on the obverse "Charles, by the grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland" and on the reverse "Henry the roses, James the kingdoms" referring to James VI of Scotland becoming also James I of England from 1603.

Provenance:

Ex Robert William Cochrane-Patrick, Sotheby 8th March 1936, sold for £28 hammer.

Ex Richard Cyril Lockett, Scottish & Irish part, Glendining, 19^th June 1957, lot 403 sold for £150 hammer.

Ex The Douglas Collection, Spink Auction 119, 4^th March 1997 lot 321.