My journey backwards through time has landed in the 17th Century, specifically the Restoration period of Charles II. This coin represents the “Genesis” of my copper collection.

Before this era, the King would only mint gold and silver. If you wanted to buy a loaf of bread, you had to rely on unofficial, often illegal, local tokens. In 1672, Charles II finally authorized the minting of official copper Farthings and Halfpennies, struck by machine rather than by hand. This 1675 example is one of those early, pioneering pieces.

The Historical Context: The Kingdom of England

It is important to make a distinction here: this is an English coin, not a British one. Struck in 1675, this coin pre-dates the 1707 Acts of Union that politically joined England and Scotland into “Great Britain.”

While the reverse legend proudly proclaims BRITANNIA (reviving the Roman personification of the island), this coin was legal tender specifically for the Kingdom of England. At this time, Scotland was still an independent kingdom with its own distinct currency system (minting coins like the “Bodle” and the “Bawbee” in Edinburgh). This coin represents the final decades of the distinct English currency before the inevitable unification.

“Carolus a Carolo”

The Latin legend on the obverse reads CAROLVS A CAROLO—”Charles from Charles.” This was a potent political statement. After the execution of his father (Charles I) and the rule of Oliver Cromwell, Charles II was emphasizing his direct, legitimate line of succession.

The Coin: 1675 Charles II Farthing

  • Denomination: Farthing (¼ Penny)
  • Monarch: Charles II
  • Year: 1675
  • Metal: Copper
  • Mint: Tower Mint, London
  • Reference: Spink 3384

The Design:

  • Obverse: The laureate bust of the King facing left.
  • Reverse: This is historically significant. It marks the return of Britannia to British coinage for the first time since the Roman occupation.
  • Trivia: It is widely rumoured that the model for Britannia on this coin was Frances Stewart, the Duchess of Richmond—a woman the King was infatuated with, but who famously refused to become his mistress.

Condition & Grading

When we look at copper from the 1670s, we have to adjust our expectations again. These were the first attempts at mass-producing copper coins, and the planchets (blanks) were not always perfect.

The Assessment:

  • Obverse: The profile of the King is distinct. The legend CAROLVS A CAROLO is surprisingly bold and legible.
  • Reverse: Britannia is clear, though the shield details have worn smooth. The date 1675 in the exergue is perfectly readable—a rarity for these issues.
  • Surface: The coin shows “porosity” (a slightly rough, pitted texture). This is extremely common for copper of this era due to impurities in the metal and centuries of environmental exposure. It has a medium-brown tone, lighter on the high points.

Grade: Fine (F)
While the surfaces are rough, the detail on the portrait and the legibility of the date firmly place this in the Fine category. A clear date on a Charles II copper is always a win.

The Verdict

This coin is the great-grandfather of every penny in my collection. It represents the moment the British monarchy finally accepted that the common people needed official small change. To own a copper coin that circulated in London just nine years after the Great Fire is a privilege.

Further Reading & Data: