Charles II 1660 - 1685

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!

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 of farthings of Charles II in VG. A fascinating coin – at least 345 years old and survived the Great Plague and the Fire of London!

Until the reign of King Charles II, the coins were struck by hand. Then the Mint figured out how to make coins on machines or as they are known in the coin trade as Milled coins. They were made from 1662-1681. You have the King on one side dressed as a Roman Emperor and the other side has four crowned coats of arms with double ‘C’ in between them. At the time a Crown or Five Shillings was a lot of money and you would have had to be considered rich to own one. Dates will be of our choice, but all coins will come with the ‘new fangled’ lettered edge. Remember they are at least 340 years old and available in Fair and Very Good condition.