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Charles II, 1649-1685
In 1649, Charles I was tried for treason and beheaded. Two years
later, his son Charles II sought to overthrow Oliver Cromwell, but was
defeated and forced to flee to the Continent. However, following the
death of Cromwell and the demise of the Commonwealth, Charles II was
invited by the people of England to return as their king in 1660.
Two events of historic importance for numismatics occurred during
Charles II's quarter-century reign. The first was the ceasing of
hammered coins in 1662; all coins struck thereafter were "milled,"
meaning they were struck by machine rather than hand. This allowed all
of the coinage of the realm to be standardized in size, weight, fineness
and value.
The second event was the introduction of the "guinea." Named for the
region in Africa from where the gold was imported, the new denomination
became the most utilized and internationally familiar English coin for
the 150 years, through the reigns of eight kings and queens.
The Roettier family continued to be a major presence at the Royal
mint, with John (1631-1700), James 1663-1698) and Norber Roettier
(1665-??) all serving as royal engravers for five different monarchs
during the so-called "Roettier era."
The Gold Coins of Charles II
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 Unite value
20 shillings, wt. 9.06 grams
Hammered coinage (1660-1662), London Mint, EF
The unite was replaced by the one guinea coin.
Unite value 20 shillings, wt. 9.09 grams
Hammered coinage (1660-1662), London Mint, EF
The legend translates "Through concord kingdoms flourish.
One Guinea value 20 shillings, wt. 8.30 grams
1666, London Mint, VF+
The guinea was the first English gold coin to be struck by a
machine.
One Guinea value 20 shillings, wt. 8.34 grams
1666, London Mint, VF+
The coin was designed by John Roettier.
Broad value 20 shillings, wt. 9.18 grams
Milled coinage, 1662, London Mint, EF
The first of the milled coinage.
Broad value 20 shillings, wt. 9.18 grams
Milled coinage, 1662, London Mint, EF
Two Guinea value 40 shillings, wt. 16.60 grams
1664, London Mint, F
The elephant below the king's portrait indicates the coin was struck
from gold imported from Guinea by the African Company.
Five Guinea value 100 shillings, wt. 41.59 grams
1678/7, London Mint, EF
Samuel Pepys's diary entry for May 19, 1663 gives a long, detailed
account of the striking of the five guinea coin.
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