The Michael Gietzelt Collection of British and Irish Coins (1625-1660)

Charles I (1625-1649), Aberystwyth mint, Halfcrown, mm. book, Aberystwyth horseman, ground line below, plume in field, oval garnished shield, large plume above, 14.67g/1h (Bull 485/2b.1 (38a-3-38), this coin; Morr. B-2; SCBI Brooker 743, this coin; N 2326; S 2879). Some surface marks, otherwise good fine, reverse better, toned, very rare £2,000-£2,400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Michael Gietzelt Collection of British and Irish Coins (1625-1660).

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Provenance: R.C. Lockett Collection, Part III, Glendining Auction, 4-6 November 1958, lot 3443; J.G. Brooker Collection; SNC May 1983 (3038); Glendining Auction, 1 May 1985, lot 50; SNC March 1986 (1074); A Comprehensive Collection of Halfcrowns, the Property of a Gentleman, Glendining Auction, 12 October 1994, lot 209; B.J. Dawson Collection, DNW Auction 156, 21 March 2019, lot 43.

In 1631 Thomas Bushell became lessee of the Royal Mines in Wales. Over the next six years, he would send quantities of silver to the Tower mint in London for coining. These issues bear a large plume of the Prince of Wales's feathers over the shield on the reverse. Finding the financial burden of transferring this bullion to London irksome, Bushell applied to the King for permission to erect a mint in Wales. After some correspondence and argument this petition was granted on 30 July 1637, authorising the latter to establish a mint in Aberystwyth castle. Authority was given to him to coin halfcrowns, shillings, half-shillings, half-groats and pence, while groats, threepences and halfpence were added the following year. Irons for the coinage were prepared by Edward Green, the chief engraver. The mint remained active until September 1642 when it was transferred to Shrewsbury