Great Britain (1660-62) 4 pence KM-291

from Steve Album sale 27, lot 1425

Stack's Bowers September 2023 Collector's Choice sale, lot 75025

Stack's Bowers 2025 ANA sale, lot 40433

note the die crack on the reverse

The first specimen was lot 1425 in Stephen Album sale 27 (Santa Rosa, CA, January 2017), where it did not sell. The catalog description^[1] noted, "GREAT BRITAIN: Charles II, 1660-1685, AR 4 pence, ND (1660's). Good strike, pleasing tone, Choice VF." The second specimen was lot 75025 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, September 2023), where it sold for $384. The catalog description^[2] noted, "GREAT BRITAIN. Maundy 4 Pence, ND (1660-62). Charles II. NGC AU-58. Over a pale powder gray color flows warm amber-russet and magenta hues with much original mint brilliance left to elevate the color. Rather boldly struck and very well preserved, this Maundy piece was clearly set aside just after issuance and has remained for the most part untouched through the centuries." The third specimen was lot 40433 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Oklahoma City, OK, August 2025), where it sold for $780. The catalog description^[3] noted, "GREAT BRITAIN. 4 Pence (Groat), ND (1662-85). London Mint; mm: Crown. Charles II. PCGS MS-62. S-3383; ESC-591; KM-433. First milled issue. An undated Groat from the first period of exclusively milled coinage minted by the Great Britain, and VERY SCARCE in Mint State. Well-struck, with the fine details of the portrait minutely detailed, and quite superior for the grade assigned; aside from the as-made haymarking, there are few flaws to speak of and full luster throughout. From the Richard August Collection." Oliver Cromwell's death in September 1658 left a leadership vacuum which was quickly filled by inviting prince Charles back from exile to become Charles II. The first series of silver coins of his regime reverted to the old practice of not dating them and come in denominations of penny, tuppence, threepence, groat, sixpence, shilling and halfcrown. When milled coinage was introduced in 1663, copper coinage was produced for the first time since before the Civil War. The penny would remain silver until 1797.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 4.02 g, 0.925 fine silver.

Catalog reference: KM-291. Spink-3383. The second specimen is S-3391; KM-MDS2 (for the set).

Source:

Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
Rayner, P. Alan, and Maurice Bull, English Silver Coinage from 1649, 6th Ed., London: Spink & Son, 2015.
Skingley, Philip, ed., Standard Catalogue of British Coins: Coins of England & the United Kingdom, 46th edition, London: Spink & Son, 2011.
^[1]Album, Stephen, Joseph Lang, Paul Montz, Michael Barry and Norman Douglas Nicol, Auction 27, featuring the Dr. Paul Stevens Collection of Indian Coins, Part VI, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2016.
^[2]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, September 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction - Ancient & World Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
^[3]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, August 2025 Global Showcase Auction, World & Ancient Coins, featuring The Richard August Collection and the Richard Margolis Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2025.

Link to:

Great Britain (1660-62) 4 pence KM-291

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