Great Britain 1673 Charles II Crown

Great Britain 1673 Charles II Crown

Following a period of intense strife that included the execution of his father, a near decade of civil war, and another near decade of exile, Charles II (1630-1685) took the throne in 1660. This was the Stuart Restoration, the reinstatement of the monarchy after the radical experiment that was the English Commonwealth ended with the death of Oliver Cromwell. Handsome, charming, and fun-loving, and possessing a scientific curiosity and appreciation for the arts that predicted the coming Enlightenment, Charles walked England back from the Puritanism that had taken hold during the Interregnum. Theatres opened, Baroque art thrived, and public celebrations resumed. The Royal Observatory was built, and the Royal Society was established to gather England's best and brightest scientific minds. Charles fought for religious tolerance, even though he ultimately failed against the Church of England. When the Great Fire of 1666 broke out, the king and his brother (and successor) James directed the firefighting efforts themselves. Overall, Charles' generally benevolent reign is remembered as a Golden Age for arts and culture.

This 1673 farthing, dating thirteen years into Charles' twenty-five-year reign, is made from sterling silver. The king's bust faces right on copper coins, and crowned cruciform shields with interlinked Cs grace the reverse.