Important British and World Coins

Charles I (1625-1649), Pattern Unite, in gold, mm. lis, attributed to A. Vanderdort, bare headed bust left, in collar and armour of similar style to the gold issues of Gp D, no mark of value, rev. crowned oval shield with scroll garniture between crowned cr, struck in high relief, 13.90g/12h (WR 22, same dies; Allen, NC 1941, vi, same dies; SCBI Brooker 1239, same dies; N 2655). Some cabinet wear and small file mark on obverse rim at 11 o’clock, otherwise extremely fine and attractively toned, extremely rare (£8,000-10,000)

The use of mm. lis is somewhat enigmatic since it was otherwise used only for the coinage of 1625 when the ruff was still in fashion. Of the other patterns in the small series in high relief attributed to Vanderdort, this most resembles the five unites bearing mm. rose (the Juxon Medal). In the cataloguer’s opinion, this unite was probably produced c. 1632-3 and the lis mark possibly contemplated for re-use with the coinage of group D but vetoed (the thistle, lis, rose and trefoil marks had all been used twice during the previous reign).

The attribution to Vanderdort rests with the documentary evidence refering to patterns for five, three and one pound pieces in high relief. An early stipulation of Nicholas Briot’s appointment was that he was not permitted to engrave the royal arms, but this restriction was clearly lifted as evidenced by his pattern unites of 1630 which were struck in low relief (N 2659-2662)