English Coinage of the Stuarts Pre-Commonwealth

Started by Deeman, November 15, 2022, 07:18:49 PM

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Deeman

Pattern Coins

Abraham van der Doort

Abraham van der Doort came to England circa 1609 and attracted enough attention at court to rise amongst the ranks and ultimately, in 1625, at the accession of Charles I, he was appointed to provide patterns for the coinage. He was a designer, not an engraver.

By 26 Nov 1625, Lord Conway wrote to the commissioners instructing them "to make patterns of some new stamps for coin, made by Mr Van der Doort." In Jan 1625/6, the Mint faced the curious problem of the high relief of Van Der Doort's dies and how to make the metal fill the high points of the die and advised "that this minting would cause a detrimental effect to the output of the Mint should coining in large numbers be requested. But if his Majesty would like a few pieces of these denominations struck for pleasure then this will not hinder Mint activities." It would also seem striking just "a few pieces of each for pleasure" was not that easy either as coins exist in struck and cast format, with the cast being more common than the struck version, though all are very rare.

Van der Doort's coins feature, with the exception of a unique triple-unite, an uncrowned bust of the king facing left. The engraving is greatly different, more detailed and lifelike, than that on Charles' standard issues. There is not any documentation about his work, either written or by drawing. His coins are unsigned.



Triple-unite

The triple-unite was 38.5mm diameter, 0.916 fine (22ct), 27.2g weight, with a value of 60/-. It is unique. The obverse depicts a crowned bust in armour and mantle facing left, within inner circle, double-arched crown with frosted caul, diamond and pellet band, all within a circumscription translating to 'Charles, by the Grace of God, Great Britain, France and Ireland, King'. The reverse depicts a crowned oval garnished shield of the Royal Arms flanked by the letters 'CR', within a circumscription translating to 'Through concord, kingdoms flourish'.





1630 Van der Doort pattern triple-unite, plume initial mark both sides, struck in high relief.
Obverse inscription is CAROLVS D' G' MAG' BRIT' FR' ET HIB' REX, pellet stops, no value indication.
Reverse inscription is FLORENT CONCORDIA REGNA, pellet stops.

Deeman

Unite

The unite was 33mm diameter, 0.916 fine (22ct), 9g weight, with a value of 20/-. The obverse depicts an uncrowned cuirassed bust in armour and mantle facing left, lovelock over left shoulder, with or without value 'XX' behind, within a circumscription translating to 'Charles, by the Grace of God, Great Britain, France and Ireland, King'. The reverse depicts a crowned oval garnished shield of the Royal Arms flanked by the letters 'CR' crowned or uncrowned, within a circumscription translating to 'Through concord, kingdoms flourish'.
The unite was also cast in silver.





1625 Van der Doort pattern unite, lis initial mark both sides, cast in high relief.
Obverse inscription is CAROLVS D' G' MAG' BRIT' FR' ET HI' REX, pellet stops, no value indication.
Reverse inscription is FLORENT CONCORDIA REGNA, pellet stops, 'CR' crowned.
A gold coin exists with the same design and size of the unite, but on a heavier flan of 13.9g. Presumably with a value of 30/-.





1630 Van der Doort pattern unite, plume initial mark both sides, struck in high relief.
Obverse inscription is CAROLVS D' G' MAG' BRIT' FR' ET HIB' REX, pellet stops, value 'XX'.
Reverse inscription is FLORENT CONCORDIA REGNA, pellet stops, 'CR' uncrowned.

Deeman

Halfcrown

Silver pattern halfcrown 36mm diameter, value 2/6. The obverse depicts an uncrowned cuirassed bust facing left wearing falling lace collar, lovelock over left shoulder, within a circumscription translating to 'Charles, by the Grace of God, Great Britain, France and Ireland, King'. The reverse depicts an ornate engraving of the Royal Arms in a small shield, helm, crown and lion above, within the Garter, crowned lion and unicorn supporters, motto below, laurel border, no circumscription.





Circa late 1620's pattern halfcrown, no initial mark.
Obverse inscription is CAROLVS D G MAG BRI FR ET HIB REX, pellet stops, colon after BRI.

Considered to be an early pattern struck from the dies made by Van Der Doort in 1625 after he was appointment by Charles I to make patterns for "his Majesties coynes and also his assistance to the engravers" very shortly after Charles's accession. The attribution is based similarities in portraiture from the few pieces known by him.

Deeman

Briot signed

The king was unhappy with images of himself on his early coinage with his bust engraved by the Mint's employee Edward Greene. Charles called it 'distorted'. With the portraits by Van Der Doort proving impractical for mass coinage, Charles next directed his mint master to engage Nicholas Briot, borrowed from the Paris Mint, whose engraved portraits seem to have greatly pleased His Majesty. He was appointed chief engraver to the Royal Mint in 1633.



Unite

Two 1630 pattern silver unites struck on the screw press. The obverse depicts a bust of the king in armour and mantle facing left, one crowned and the other uncrowned, within a circumscription translating to 'Charles, by the Grace of God, Great Britain, France and Ireland, King'. The reverse depicts a crowned square-topped garnished shield of the Royal Arms flanked by the letters 'CR' crowned, within a circumscription translating to 'The King has been great to you'. Miniature of St George slaying the dragon before start of inscription.





1630 dated Briot milled pattern unite, no initial marks, signed small 'B' both sides.
Obverse inscription is CAROLVS D G MAGN BRITAN / FRANC ET HIBE REX on crowned version, CAR D G MAGN BRITAN FR ET HIB REX on uncrowned version pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is AVSPICII REX MAGNE TVIS, pellet stops, date divided by crown.

Deeman

Crown

Undated silver pattern crown 43mm diameter, value 5/-. The obverse depicts an uncrowned draped bust left wearing falling lace collar, lovelock over left shoulder, within a circumscription translating to 'Charles, by the Grace of God, Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith'. The reverse depicts the crowned armoured king on horseback riding left holding sword in his right hand, sash behind, no comparison on horse, stony ground below, within a circumscription translating to 'Not second in valour to anyone'.





Undated Briot milled pattern crown late 1620's, rosette initial mark, signed small 'B' below raised front hoof.
Obverse inscription is CAROLVS D G MAG BRITANNIÆ FRAN ET HIB REX FIDEI DEFENSOR, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is HAVD VLLI VETERVM VIRTVTE SCEVNDVS, pellet stops.

Deeman

Halfcrown

The 1628 halfcrown was 35mm diameter, value of 2/6, struck on Briot's screw press during the first year of the use of his machinery in London. The obverse depicts the crowned armoured king on horseback riding right holding sword in his right hand, stony ground line below, signed N. BRIOT F in exergue, within a circumscription of O REX DA FACILEM CURSUM. The reverse a crowned garnished oblong shield of the Royal Arms dividing the date a circumscription of ATQUE AUDACIBUS ANNUE CŒPTIS. When the obverse and reverse legends are considered as a whole, it becomes apparent that they are adapted from 'Da facilem cursum, atque audacibus annue cœptis' (Give me an easy course, and favour my daring undertakings), from Virgil's Georgics in a line addressed to Cæsar Augustus, but with the addition of 'Oh King' at the beginning.





1628 dated Briot milled pattern halfcrown, rosette initial mark on obverse, signed N. BRIOT F (for France) in exergue.
Obverse inscription is O REX DA FACILEM CVRSVM, lozenge stops,
Reverse inscription is ATQVE AVDACIBVS ANNVE CŒPTIS, lozenge stops.

This pattern piece is suggested to have been made in commemoration of the proposed second expedition to La Rochelle as part of the Anglo-French War of 1627-29, during which England provided military support to the Huguenots of La Rochelle as they rebelled against the French royal forces of Louis XIII. While the Huguenots were eventually forced to surrender, the war did lead to the interesting event of French engineers isolating the entire city of La Rochelle with entrenchments 12km long during the 14-month siege that took place. It is particularly telling that Briot would make a coin commemorating a rebellion against the French monarchy, since he had only a few years prior been forced to flee his home country of France after facing much hostility there for his advocacy of the use of machines instead of hammers to produce coinage. The motto of 'Oh King, give me an easy course, and favour my daring undertakings' may be read as a supplication to Charles I to allow Briot to freely implement his new technological ideas, as France refused to.

Deeman

Shilling

Briot pattern shillings were struck on the screw press and have an obverse depiction of a crowned bust of the king facing left, value 'XII' behind, within a circumscription translating to 'Charles, by the Grace of God, Great Britain, France and Ireland, King'. The reverse depicts the Royal Arms within various circumscriptions.





1629-30 Briot milled pattern shilling, heart initial mark both sides (used in group B), signed with small 'B' (faint) on reverse after heart, model for adopted group C.
Obverse inscription is CAROLVS D' G' MAG' BRIT' FR' ET HIB' REX, pellet stops, bust with ruff, armour and mantle, caul on bust breaking through inner circle, double-arched jewelled crown.
Reverse inscription is CHRISTO AVSPICE REGNO (I reign under the auspices of Christ), pellet pattern stops, garnished oblong shield, plume over shield (Welsh silver) flanked by 'CR'.





1635 dated Briot milled pattern shilling, no initial marks, signed with small 'B' (faint) on obverse above central lozenge.
Obverse inscription is CAROLVS D G MAGN BRITANN FRANC ET HIBER REX, pellet stops, bust with stellate lace collar, double-arched jewelled crown.
Reverse inscription is ARCHETYPVS MONETA ARGENTÆ ANGLIÆ (Original silver coin of England), pellet stops, crowned square-topped shield flanked by crowned 'CR', date divided by crown.





Undated Briot milled pattern shilling, no initial marks, signed with small 'B' under bust.
Obverse inscription is CAR D G MAG / BRIT FR ET HIB REX, starting at 7 o'clock, lozenge and double lozenge stops, bust facing right, double-arched crown.
Reverse inscription is FIDEI DEFENSOR (Defender of the Faith), lozenge stops, crowned square-topped shield with Garter surround.

Deeman

Half-groat

The half-groat was 17mm diameter with a value of 2d. The obverse depicts a bare head bust in ruff right within a circumscription translating to 'Charles, by the Grace of God, Great Britain, France and Ireland, King'. The reverse design is interlocked Cs (symbolic of England and Scotland) with crown above within a circumscription translating to 'Defender of the Faith'.

Also struck in copper.





c1630 Briot milled pattern half-groat, lozenge initial mark on obverse, signed 'B' on reverse.
Obverse inscription is CAR D: G MAG BRIT FRAN ET HI R, pellet stops, wire line inner circle.
Reverse inscription is FIDEI DEFENSOR, pellet stops, wire line inner circle.

A variant of this design was struck without the signature letter 'B' and with England and Scotland in the titles instead of Great Britain. Image shown under 'Unsigned' section.



Milled pattern half-groat with obverse depicting a double rose flanked by lozenges and crowned 'CR', crown above, without a circumscription. The reverse depicts a thistle flanked by lozenges and crowned 'CR', crown above, date below, without a circumscription.



1640 milled pattern half-groat, signed 'B' on obverse.

Deeman

Unsigned

The milled pieces undoubtedly have a Briot attribution, especially where lozenges are used.

Double-crown

Gold pattern double-crown (possibly by E. Greene), 26-27mm diameter, 0.916 fine (22ct), with a value of 10/-. The obverse depicts a crowned bust of the king left in coronation robes with ruff, double-arched jewelled crown, value 'X' behind, within a circumscription translating to 'Charles, by the Grace of God, Great Britain, France and Ireland, King'. The reverse depicts a crowned garnished square-topped shield of the Royal Arms within a circumscription translating to 'God protects His worshippers'.





1625 pattern double-crown, slipped trefoil initial mark both sides.
Obverse inscription is CAROLVS D G MAG' BRIT' FRAN' ET HIB' REX, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is CVLTORES SVI DEVS PROTEGIT, pellet stops.

Deeman

Halfcrown

Milled pattern halfcrown 35mm diameter, value of 2/6. The obverse depicts the crowned king riding left in armour holding sword in his right hand, flowing sash behind, horse without caparison, no ground line, within a circumscription translating to 'Charles, by the Grace of God, Great Britain, France and Ireland, King'. The reverse depicts the Royal Arms within either a garnished oval shield, within a circumscription translating to 'I reign under the auspices of Christ'. This design was the adopted model for group III issues.





1633-34 milled pattern halfcrown, portcullis initial mark both sides, flanked by ornate scrolls on reverse.
Obverse inscription is CAROLVS D G' MAG' BRIT FRAN ET HI' REX, colon/pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is CHRISTO AVSPICE REGNO, rosette stops.

Deeman

Shilling

Milled pattern shillings having an obverse depiction of a crowned bust of the king facing left, value 'XII' behind, within a circumscription translating to 'Charles, by the Grace of God, Great Britain, France and Ireland, King'. The reverse depicts the Royal Arms within a circumscription translating to 'I reign under the auspices of Christ'.





1631-32 milled pattern shilling, rose initial mark both sides (used in group C), model for adopted group D.
Obverse inscription is CAROLVS D' G' MAG' BRIT' FRA' ET HIB' REX, pellet stops, bust with falling lace collar, no inner circle, double-arched jewelled crown.
Reverse inscription is CHRISTO AVSPICE REGNO, pellet stops, garnished oblong shield flanked by 'CR', no inner circle.





1633-34 milled pattern shilling, portcullis initial mark both sides (used in group D), model for adopted group E.
Obverse inscription is CAROLVS D' G' MAG' BR' FRA' ET HI' REX, pellet stops, large bust with falling lace collar, no inner circle, unjewelled double-arched crown.
Reverse inscription is CHRISTO AVSPICE REGNO, rosette stops, garnished oval shield, no inner circle.

Deeman

Sixpence

Milled pattern sixpence with obverse depicting a crowned bust of the king in ruff, armour and mantle facing left, value 'VI' behind, within a circumscription translating to 'Charles, by the Grace of God, Great Britain, France and Ireland, King'. The reverse depicts the Royal Arms within an oval shield, plume above (Welsh silver), with a circumscription translating to 'I reign under the auspices of Christ'.





1630-31 milled pattern sixpence, plume initial mark both sides.
Obverse inscription is CAROLVS D' G' MAG' BRI' FR' ET HIB' REX, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is CHRISTO AVSPICE REGNO, pellet stops.

Deeman

Groat

No groats were issued by Charles I until the creation of provincial pieces at the outset of the English Civil War.



Hammered pattern groat (possibly by E. Greene) struck in the style of a group D sixpence. The obverse depicts a crowned bust of the king with falling lace collar facing left, within a circumscription translating to 'Charles, by the Grace of God, Great Britain, France and Ireland, King'. The reverse depicts the Royal Arms within a garnished oval shield, within a circumscription which translates to 'I reign under the auspices of Christ'.



1634-35 pattern groat, bell initial mark both sides.
Obverse inscription is CAROLVS D' G' MA' B' F' ET H' REX, pellet stops, no inner circle.
Reverse inscription is CHRISTO AVSPICE REGNO, pellet stops, no inner circle.

The Chief Engraver at the mint from 1630-44 was Edward Greene with the assistance of Thomas Rawlins.



Milled pattern groat with obverse depicting a crowned bust of the king with falling lace collar facing left, value 'IIII', within a circumscription translating to 'Charles, by the Grace of God, Great Britain, France and Ireland, King'. The reverse depicts the Royal Arms within a garnished oval shield within a circumscription translating to 'I reign under the auspices of Christ'



1634-35 milled pattern groat, bell initial mark both sides.
Obverse inscription is CAROLVS D' G' MAG' B' F' ET H' REX, pellet stops, no inner circle.
Reverse inscription is CHRISTO AVSPICE REGNO, pellet stops, no inner circle.

Deeman

Threepence

No threepences were issued by Charles I until the creation of provincial pieces at the outset of the English Civil War.



Milled pattern threepence with obverse depicting a crowned bust of the king with falling lace collar facing left, rose behind, within a circumscription translating to 'Charles, by the Grace of God, Great Britain, France and Ireland, King'. The reverse depicts the shield of the Royal Arms, date divided across top, within a circumscription which translates to 'The welfare of the people is the supreme law'.





1634 dated milled pattern threepence, bell initial mark both sides.
Obverse inscription is CAROLVS D' G' MA' BR' FR' ET H' REX, pellet stops, no inner circle.
Reverse inscription is SALVS REIPVBLICÆ SVPREMA LEX, pellet stops, garnished oval shield, no inner circle.





1634 dated milled pattern threepence, bell initial mark both sides.
Obverse inscription is CAR D.G MAG BRIT FR ET H R, starting at 7 o'clock, lozenge stops, value 'III' over 'D' below rose, wire line inner circle.
Reverse inscription is SALVS / REIPVB / SVPREM / A LEX, divided by cross arms, lozenge stops, square-topped shield over cross moline, wire line inner circle.

Deeman

Half-groat

The half-groat was 17mm diameter with a value of 2d. There are two designs. One depicts crossed sceptre and trident and the other interlocked Cs, both symbolic of Stuarts ruling England and Scotland.



Sceptre and trident

Struck in 1628, when Charles was calling upon Parliament to increase the military and naval forces of the kingdom to enable him to rule both by land and sea. However, Parliament was not immediately willing to accept such a demand, having only recently financed the Duke of Buckingham's disastrous expedition to aid the Protestant cause in La Rochelle. After heated debate, the King was forced to accept the Petition of Right (effectively enabling creditors to sue the Crown in consequence of it defaulting on restitution payment), before granting him this new subsidy.

The obverse depicts a bare head bust in ruff right within a circumscription translating to 'Charles, by the Grace of God, England, Scotland, France and Ireland, King'. The reverse design is a sceptre and trident in saltire united by cord within a circumscription translating to 'One rules in both spheres'.





1628 milled pattern half-groat, lozenge initial mark on both sides.
Obverse inscription is CAR D: G ANG SCO FR ET HIB REX, pellet stops, wire line inner circle.
Reverse inscription is REGIT VNVS VTROQVE, pellet stops, wire line inner circle.





1628 milled pattern half-groat, rosette initial mark on both sides.
Obverse inscription is CAR D: G MAG BRIT FR ET HIBE R, pellet stops, wire line inner circle.
Reverse inscription is REGIT VNVS VTROQVE, pellet stops, crowned 'C' at each side, wire line inner circle.



Interlocking Cs

The obverse depicts a bare head bust in ruff right within a circumscription translating to 'Charles, by the Grace of God, England, Scotland, France and Ireland, King', the same titles James I used on his coins of 1603-04. The reverse design is interlocked Cs flanked by lozenges with crown above and pellet below, within a circumscription translating to 'Defender of the Faith'.



c1628 milled pattern half-groat, lozenge initial mark on obverse.
Obverse inscription is CAR D: G ANG SCO FR ET HIB REX, pellet stops, wire line inner circle.
Reverse inscription is FIDEI DEFENSOR, pellet stops, wire line inner circle.