Nicholas Briot Coinage

One of the more interesting aspects of the coinage of Charles I is the coins from Mintmaster Nicholas Briot. He was later beheaded for counterfeiting.

Some of the most interesting coinage of Charles I came in the latter years just before Parliament caught up with him and eventually handed him his head on a platter. As he was running around the country he would hole up in various cities and castles. While there they would use whatever silver was available, sometimes plates and silverware, cut it up and mint it with the date and the name of the castle. This was to pay the army. These pieces were often lozenge or diamond shape, and occassionally octagonal. These pieces are usually very scarce.

I will be posting new info on Charles' coinage regularly. From the hammered coinage to the milled coinage of Nicholas Briot, and also the war era where King Charles was on the run from Parliament. I am always on the lookout for interesting coins from this reign, particularly the dated sixpences 1627, 1628 1629 and 1630 if you have any, let me know.