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2 Guineas - Charles II 2nd bust
| Issuer | England |
|---|---|
| Year | 1675-1684 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
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| Obverse lettering | CAROLVS·II· DEI·GRATIA (Translation: Charles the Second by the Grace of God) |
| Reverse description | Four crowned cruciform shields bearing the arms of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, arranged in a cross pattern with interlinked Cs and sceptres adorned with national emblems occupying the angles between the shields. The date is divided and appears above the central motif, with a full royal Latin legend encircling the design. The composition is characteristic of the later Stuart guinea coinage, reflecting both heraldic tradition and Restoration artistic refinement. |
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| Additional information |
The two-guinea denomination was introduced in 1664 specifically to facilitate larger commercial transactions without the inconvenience of counting multiple single-guinea pieces. Charles II's second bust, by John Roettier, replaced the first within a few years of the denomination's launch — Roettier having effectively displaced his rival Thomas Simon after the Restoration, a professional victory with decidedly political dimensions given Simon's association with the Commonwealth coinage.
Production across this nine-year span was irregular, with certain years seeing only modest output from the Tower Mint. The 1682 and 1683 dates are notably scarcer than the rest of the run.