Charles II Silver Penny -Early Machine Made – 1660-1662

Description

Heading: Charles II Silver Penny -Early Machine Made – 1660-1662

Denomination: Silver penny (1d)

Period: House of Stuart

Date: 1670

Origin: London mint

Condition: AVF, an early machine made coin

Obverse: Crowned bust of Charles II, left, double arched crown, denominational ‘I’ behind, bust to lower edge, no wire circle, legend around CAROLVS II D G M B F & H REX

Reverse: Shield of arms, legend around CHRISTO AVSPICE REGNO

Size and Weight: 12mm, 0.50g

References: S3389, North 2775

Features and Provenance:  Ex Bonham’s, previously TimeLine auctions

Born in 1630 to Charles I. On the execution of his father in 1649, he spent the next eleven years devoted to regaining the thrones of England and Scotland from Cromwell. It was not until his thirtieth birthday and Cromwell’s death that he was able to restore the monarchy and was crowned in 1661. He is well known for his good humour and for restoring Christmas celebrations following the tyrannical puritanical regime of Cromwell, gaining him the epithet ‘Merry Monarch’; he also had several mistresses. Nell Gwynne being the most famous, bearing him two sons, whereas his poor wife was barren.

Condition Summary. This varies with the age of coin and there are grades between

Uncirculated (U). As struck with no traces of wear

Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear. all parts of legend etc present. visible and clear

Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief. all parts of legend etc present. but maybe worn

Fine (F). Wear on the coin and parts of legend etc may be missing or not visible