Andrew C. writes: My daughter dug up a silver coin that appears very old here in our UK garden. It is silver and damaged around the edges ie not round and appears to be made of two halves brought together. Side 1: Shield with protrusion in four mid sections and internal four separations although items are diffficult to see. around the edge are the words: christo.avspice.regno followed by a crown. Side 2: Male kings head with III next to it. Lettering reads: carolvs.r.dc.m.br.fr.et.hi.rex
The coin is about 18mm in diameter. Tthe shield is square to three sides with a gently rounded sloping point to the bottom. In the shield the centre is split into four parts of equal proportion. The upper left and lower right quadrant is split into a further four parts of which the contents are very difficult to see. The bottom left appears to have a harp like instrument in it. The upper right appears to have something like a bear in a cage within it. What kind of coin is this?
You have a 3 pence of Great Britain’s Charles I (1625-1649), probably the 1644 issue. The legend CHRISTO AUSPICE REGNO (I reign under Christ’s authority) is used extensively during Charles’ reign. The abbreviated Latin legend, CAROLVS G .BR.FR.ET.HI.REX surrounds the bust of the king (Charles, by the Grace of G-d King of Great Britain, France (actually Normandy) and Hibernia (Ireland)).
