1645 Charles I Tower Mint under Parliament mm Sun Crown

Charles I (1625 - 49) Tower Mint under parliament (1642 - 49), Crown, Group V, mm. sun (1645-1646), crowned figure of king on horseback l., brandishing sword, rev. oval, garnished shield of arms (S.2761; N.2198; FRC XXVII/XL)

Struck on a large and broad flan, with a handsome dark grey toned.  Some superficial metal stress marks on the obverse otherwise Nearly Extremely Fine with an excellent reverse. Upon close scrutiny the deposits of red wax from an earlier (unknown thus far) auction plate it was illustrated in are visible on the obverse in the S of CAROLVS and the R of BR .  It is believed that this issue was engraved by Thomas Simon who was appointed joint chief engraver at the Mint alongside Edward wade in April 1645. Simon possessed superlative engraving skills and artistic talent; his work was even acknowledged in the diaries of Samuel Pepys and this stand out issue of the Parliament series certainly fits the work of this great engraver. It is of our opinion that similarities in the style of bust and proportions of this issue can be drawn with the Charles I on Horseback Painting   by Anthony Van Dyck. With the Civil War heavily engulfing the country and the fact that the coinage was being made by Parliament but in the name of the King, it is highly plausible that Thomas Simon drew his inspiration for the King's equestrian portrait from this painting which is now housed in the National Gallery.

*We note below a handful of other examples of this exceptional issue that have recently sold at auction and via other numismatic dealers. 

(1) Ex Eric Miller Specimen, Spink 26.03.2019, lot 15 - £13,000 hammer

(2) Ex Lord Stewartby, Spink 28.03.2017, lot 1800 - £7500 Hammer 

(3) Ex Slaney Collection, AMR Coins -  £5750, March 2022