Ashmolean treasures, 1644-1910

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Can you imagine the joy of unexpectedly finding yourself in the Ashmolean museum and the frustration of having only a phone camera? Here are some English and British treasures, as well as the hone could capture them. Other goodies are elsewhere.

I am starting off with a modest silver pound 1644 Oxford, a prize piece, even by Ashmolean's standards. Charles I held Oxford for quite some time. I suspect this used to be at least as beautiful university silverware.

The reverse was impossible to photograph. It has denomination and date and in between, Charles deceitful political slogan: RELIG:PROT:LEG:ANG:LIBER:PAR, claiming as his goals to maintain the protestant religion, English law and the liberty of parliament, while doing exactly the opposite.

The description from the Ashmolean's web site is: English, Charles I, 1644, 44 mm diameter, minted at Oxford. Charles I on horse / Plumes and inscription.
This crown was struck at the mint in Oxford, which was situated in New Inn Hall Street, near the current site of the Ashmolean. Much college treasure was struck into coin to support the royalist cause during the English Civil War. The obverse shows the city of Oxford depicted beneath the king's horse. The inscription on the reverse summarises Charles I's war aims as support for the Protestant religion, the laws of England, and a free Parliament.

Peter

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A special case on the Britannia figure contained this pattern. The picture is woeful, but shows what left me agape: the piece is bimetallic...

Peter

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And then there was that proof set lying around. I don't collect them, but if they'll give it to me, I'l make an exception

Peter

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In the beginning, there was the plaster die and they had it too, but it was impossible to photograph, but here's the first working punch. Ever seen it before?

Peter

[andyg]

the proof set coins will be,
£5, £2, Sovereign, Half Sovereign.
Crown, Double Florin, Half Crown, Florin
Shilling, Sixpence, Threepence.

The bronze coins retained their younger portrait so were not in this proof set for the diamond jubilee...
Of course we have another diamond jubilee to look forward to in 2012, which I guess will mean even more non circulating commemorative's

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Quite correct, andyg. The chance to issue a diamond jubilee portrait is missed by now and we get some pseudo-issues instead.

Peter