Obverse: the obverse of the coin features King Charles I, with a panorama of Oxford city below.
Reverse: the reverse of the coin displays three Oxford feathers, a declaration with floral engravings, and the date 1644.
About the coin: King Charles I's presence in Oxford during the English Civil War (1642–1646) is immortalized in this exceptional coin, known as the Oxford Crown. It features a striking portrait of the king against the backdrop of Oxford’s cityscape. The coin reflects the king’s objectives in the Civil War – to defend the Protestant faith, the laws of England, and the freedom of Parliament.
While English coins had previously depicted various cities, such a detailed and realistic city panorama was unprecedented. Oxford is presented from a northwest perspective. The city wall is visible in the foreground, and from left to right, the following landmarks can be identified: Magdalen College Tower, the spires of All Saints Church (now Lincoln College Library), the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin, and the roof and tower of the Bodleian Library.
