Charles I coin value guide
Charles I · 1625–1649 · Triple Unite & Gold, Crown & Half-Crown, Shilling & Sixpence, Siege pieces & smaller
Denominations
Triple Unite & Gold, Crown & Half-Crown, Shilling & Sixpence, Siege pieces & smaller
Reign
1625–1649
What a coin is worth depends on its exact type, mint, grade and provenance — the type tables and value factors below explain what drives each one.
About these coins
Charles I produced the richest and most varied coinage in the English hammered series. Alongside the regular Tower mint coins — crown, half-crown, shilling, sixpence and smaller silver, and gold unites and angels — the Civil War scattered minting across provincial and emergency mints (Oxford, Bristol, Truro, Exeter, York, Chester, Worcester and more) and produced dramatic siege pieces struck in besieged towns. The Oxford crown showing a view of the city, and the triple unite — the largest English hammered gold coin — are among the most celebrated coins ever struck in Britain.
Tower mint shillings, sixpences and half-crowns are widely collected and a good entry point; provincial and Civil War mint coins, declaration types and siege pieces command strong premiums and rise sharply for rarities. The triple unite and Oxford crown are blue-chip rarities. Mint, type, denomination, grade and provenance are all decisive here.
Triple Unite & Gold — value by type
Gold from the unite (20s) and angel to the magnificent triple unite (60s) of the Oxford and Shrewsbury mints — the largest English hammered gold coin.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Triple Unite / Unite / Angel 1625–1649 The triple unite, with the king holding sword and olive branch, is one of the most celebrated British coins. | Unite scarce; triple unite a blue-chip rarity |
Crown & Half-Crown — value by type
The silver crown (5s) and half-crown (2s 6d), from the Tower mint and the many Civil War mints — including the famous Oxford crown with a view of the city.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Crown / Half-Crown (Tower & provincial) 1625–1649 King on horseback; the Oxford crown showing the city view is a celebrated rarity. | Tower available; provincial scarce to rare |
Shilling & Sixpence — value by type
The silver shilling (12d) and sixpence (6d), from the Tower mint and provincial and declaration-type Civil War mints.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Shilling / Sixpence 1625–1649 Crowned bust; declaration-type provincial issues are especially sought after. | Tower widely collected; provincial scarcer |
Siege pieces & smaller — value by type
Emergency siege coinage struck in besieged towns (Newark, Pontefract, Carlisle, Scarborough), plus smaller regular silver.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Siege pieces (Newark, Pontefract, etc.) 1644–1649 Often lozenge or irregular shapes struck from plate during sieges; dramatic and historic. | Scarce to very rare |
Half-groat / Penny / Smaller 1625–1649 The smaller regular silver of the reign. | Common to scarce |
What drives the value
Type & rarity
Within a single reign, common types in collectable grade sit far below the scarce and rare types. Identifying the exact type is the first step in any valuation.
Mint & moneyer
Coins of rare mints, or with sought-after moneyer or privy-mark signatures, carry a clear premium over the common major-mint issues.
Grade & surfaces
A full, sharp strike with a clear portrait or design and legible legends commands the most. Weak striking, chips, cracks and corrosion all reduce value.
Provenance
A pedigree to a named cabinet or a recorded hoard adds both value and confidence in authenticity, especially for scarcer and higher-grade pieces.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Charles I coin worth?
Tower mint shillings, sixpences and half-crowns are widely collected and a good entry point, while Civil War provincial issues, siege pieces and the triple unite and Oxford crown command strong premiums and rise sharply for rarities. Mint, type, denomination and grade are all decisive — use the valuation tool for a figure based on realised prices for comparable coins.
What is a siege piece?
Emergency coins struck inside besieged Royalist towns such as Newark and Pontefract during the Civil War, often cut from silver plate into lozenge or irregular shapes. They are dramatic, historic and keenly collected.
What is the triple unite?
A gold coin worth sixty shillings struck at the Royalist mints of Shrewsbury and Oxford — the largest English hammered gold coin, and one of the most celebrated coins in the British series.
Why is Charles I's coinage so varied?
The Civil War scattered minting across many provincial and emergency mints, each with its own styles, alongside the regular Tower mint — producing an exceptionally rich and varied coinage.