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A particularly interesting example of the short-lived hammered coinage struck following the Restoration of Charles II in 1660.
England was on the threshold of a fundamental change in its coinage. The traditional hammered method continued briefly under the restored King before the introduction of the new machine-made milled coinage. Charles II\'s hammered silver therefore represents the final chapter of the centuries-old English hammered coinage tradition.
This is the Third Hammered Issue, distinguished by the XII denomination behind the King\'s bust and inner circles on both sides.
Spink 3322 / North 2764
Tower Mint – crown mintmark
Actual measured weight: 5.800g
The obverse depicts the crowned bust of Charles II facing left, with XII behind denoting twelve pence, or one shilling.
One particularly interesting feature of this specimen is the distinction between strike and wear. The obverse displays the characteristic uneven striking frequently encountered on Charles II\'s short-lived hammered coinage. The central portrait is lightly struck/flat in places, possibly reflecting a combination of an uneven flan and die state, rather than circulation wear.
This is characteristic of the issue: a 6.06g S.3322 example sold by another dealer has been catalogued as “Weak on King’s face … otherwise very fine or better”, while another 5.79g example was described as “face slightly weak, otherwise toned, good very fine.” Spink\'s Oriole specimen was similarly described as “softly struck with portrait” but still toned and lustrous in the well-struck areas.
On this coin the surrounding evidence is particularly attractive. The XII is exceptionally sharp, substantial detail remains in the crown and King\'s lower dress, the facial outline including nose and mouth can be distinguished under angled light, and much of the inner beaded circle and surrounding legend remains clear.
The reverse is, in my opinion, very nice. The crowned quartered royal shield is very well presented, with the individual lions, fleurs-de-lis and Irish harp readily identifiable. The shield divisions, ornamental flourishes and inner beaded circle remain particularly strong, together with substantial peripheral legend.
The reverse legend:
CHRISTO AVSPICE REGNO
may be translated as “I reign under the auspices of Christ”, or more idiomatically, “I reign with Christ as my protector.”
The coin has particularly attractive old golden-yellow cabinet toning, with considerable underlying brightness becoming apparent as the coin is moved under the light. Several photographs have therefore been taken at different angles to show both the detail and the character of the surfaces.
Raw and ungraded. Please study all photographs carefully and make your own assessment of condition and grade.
