Charles II was the King of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 1660 until 1685. His Restoration to the monarchy after Richard Cromwell renounced his role as Lord Protector in 1659, was a time of great cultural and political change. His reign was also marked by the Great Plague, the Great Fire of London, and political tensions with Parliament. Charles II copper farthings were issued between 1672 and 1679. They were the first official copper coins of England and also the first to feature Britannia on the reverse. Britannia was first seen on Roman coins, where she personified the British Isles. The image symbolises Britain’s naval power and imperial identity and is still seen on coins today. We have on offer farthings of Charles II for the first time in Fine grade. A fascinating coin – at least 345 years old and survived the Great Plague and the Fire of London!
