Rare civil war coins to be sold

The coins date back to the time of Oliver Cromwell

Rare coins dating back to the time of Oliver Cromwell and Charles I during the English Civil War are expected to fetch more than £10,000 at auction.

The 15 gold and silver coins were built up by a private Dorset collector as a financial investment.

Amy Brenan, a valuer at Duke's auction house in Dorchester, said there had already been "tremendous interest".

"Antique coins appear to be an up-and-coming and successful means of investment," she said.

The coins are due to be sold at Duke's auction house in Dorchester on Thursday.

"Their age coupled with the fact that the coins are in very fine condition adds to their rarity," she added.

"It is not often that such a super collection comes up for sale."

Among the collection is a Unite 1643 Declaration issue gold coin with an estimate of £2,000 to £4,000.

During the civil war the King was driven out of London, and as he travelled around the country he minted a series of coins in different towns.

Silver plate and other items were hammered down to produce coins known as "siege pieces", which are also included in the collection.