Charles I Sixpence - Unattributed Sun Mintmark?

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Author	Replies: 7 / Views: 316
Nocreativity2 New Member Canada 25 Posts	Posted 10/09/2026 9:17 pm Hi everyone, I recently came across this Charles I Sixpence. From first glance, it looks like a 5th bust Group E. However, when I do more research, I can't find any example with a sun mintmark, not can I find it listed in a catalogue. Any help is welcome! Report this Post to the Staff

mikev50 Pillar of the Community United States 2287 Posts	Posted 10/09/2026 9:56 pm The Charles I silver sixpence from the Tower Mint, struck under Parliament between 1642 and 1649, features the mint mark of a sun and belongs to Group III, type 3a3. This coin is notable for its historical context during the English Civil War and its relatively scarce production compared to other denominations. Details of the Charles I Silver Sixpence This coin holds significant historical and numismatic value. Mint Mark — The coin features a sun mint mark, indicating its production during a tumultuous period in English history. Scarcity — Tower Mint sixpences are relatively scarce compared to Tower shillings, often due to poorer manufacturing quality and irregular flans. Historical Context — Struck between 1642 and 1649, this coin reflects the financial struggles of the Parliament during the English Civil War. Weight and Composition — The sixpence typically weighs around 3.03 grams and is made of silver, characteristic of hammered coinage of the era. Report this Post to the Staff
publius Pillar of the Community United States 883 Posts	Posted 10/09/2026 9:59 pm According to my 17th ed. Seaby's catalogue, Charles I sixpences of three types were struck at the Tower Mint under Parliamentary authority, and the mint-mark ranges given for the three types all include the sun. That is "4^3 Briot-type bust, ‹P› to sun", "4^4; late Aberystwyth bust, ‹R› to sceptre" (sceptre being the one after sun in the sequence), and "4^5 squat bust of crude style, eye and sun", where ^3 indicates a superscript digit in their system, et cetera. I don't know if that helps at all. Edited by publius 10/09/2026 10:01 pm Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 197989 Posts	Posted 10/12/2026 09:07 am Very nice! Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
jecz79 Pillar of the Community Portugal 767 Posts	Posted 10/19/2026 7:21 pm Is it just a mint mark? The sun was a very popular symbol with monarchs during that century. Report this Post to the Staff
Sap Moderator Australia 17031 Posts	Posted 10/20/2026 12:18 am It's a mintmark. Well, technically, it's a "privy mark" rather than a mintmark, since it's use was not restricted to just one mint. And rather than being associated with the monarchy, it's quite the opposite: this mintmark was used by the Parliamentarians during the English Civil War after they seized control of the Tower Mint in 1645. The King was still alive, so the Parliamentarians kept issuing Royalist coins with the monarch's portrait until he was captured and executed in 1649, when the Commonwealth series began. The "sun mintmark" remained in use on Commonwealth coins until Oliver Cromwell died and his son Richard inherited the "titles" of the Lord Protectorate. The sun can thus be seen as the de-facto "badge of Oliver Cromwell" on the coinage. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis Report this Post to the Staff
jecz79 Pillar of the Community Portugal 767 Posts	Posted 10/20/2026 9:39 pm Thanks. That is interesting history. Report this Post to the Staff
Dearborn Moderator United States 109930 Posts	Posted Yesterday 11:17 pm very nice coin, and some great info on it as well Collecting since 1972. Learning from then on "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin 7070 type set coin count: 51/76 Uncirculated American Silver Eagles My American Silver Eagle Proof Collection Sacagawea Dollars Innovation Dollars Eisenhower-Dollars Kennedy-Half Dollars Washington-Quarters Roosevelt-Dimes Buffalo-Nickels 1938-2005 Jefferson-Nickels Lincoln-Cents Report this Post to the Staff
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