Charles I (1625-1649), AR Halfcrown [1646], Hartlebury Castl...

Hammer

£8,000

Charles I (1625-1649), AR Halfcrown [1646], Hartlebury Castle Issue, mm : Pear on obv., Three Pears on rev. King on horseback left, without groundline, Oval garnished royal arms, letters H C in lower garnishing, 15.08gm. (Brooker 1137; N. 2626; S. 3129). Good Very Fine, attractively toned – an exceptional example of this hurriedly struck coin, some minor scratches below the belly of the horse. Very rare. Hartlebury Castle, a few miles south of Kidderminster, was the residence of the Bishop of Worcester and was fortified and held by Royalist supporters at the end of the Civil War in 1646. Though prepared for a year’s siege (food, soldiers a mint, etc.), the castle surrendered without a single shot fired after only two days. The Parliamentary general, Thomas Morgan, ordered the fortifications to be demolished and the residence was then sold to a private individual by the Parliamentary Commissioners for some £3,000 .However, with the Restoration some fifteen years later, the bishop got it back! Ex. Duke of Devonshire Collection (Christie’s March 1844). Ex. J.B. Bergne Col. (Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, 20 May 1873). Ex. H Montagu Col. II, (Sotheby, Wilkinson, & Hodge,13 November 1896). Ex. Murdoch Col., (Sotheby, Wilkinson, & Hodge, 31 March 1903). Ex. Dr. French Col., his ticket priced at £25.by Baldwins c. 1950s.