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Charles II Third Portrait Variety on 1671 Halfcrown
Charles II Third Portrait Variety on 1671 Halfcrown
Reverse of 1671 Halfcrown
Reverse of 1671 Halfcrown
Charles II Halfcrowns
During the reign of Charles II, interrupted by the 11 year break of Commonwealth coinage of Cromwell, the last hand-hammered coins were produced in 1662, and all coins were then milled or machine made. A process which started under Elizabeth I was completed, and in just over a century coinage production had fully entered the machine age.

Hammered Halfcrowns of Charles II
In the first two years of Charles II's reign, three different types of hammered silver halfcrowns were issued. These correspond with the other silver coins issued during this period. With impeccable logic, these are known as the first issue, second issue and third issue.

Charles II Milled Halfcrowns
Milled halfcrowns for Charles II were issued from 1663 to 1684 inclusive. There were four different bust design, plus a variety of the third bust. These all share the basic description of the king's laureate bust facing right, with the legend CAROLUS II DEI GRATIA.
The reverse design is crowned cruciform shields, with two interlinked letter C's, denoting Charles II, in the angles (spaces) between the shields, with the legend MAG BR FRA ET HIB REX (Date).

Regnal Dates on Edge
All have the regnal year in raised lettering on their edges, for example (1671):
DECUS ET TUTAMEN ANNO REGNI VICESIMO TERTIO
This indicates the 23rd year of Charles reign, although 1671 was only the 12th year of his actual reign. The reason for this is that Charles II chose to ignore the interregnum period from 1649 to 1660, from the death of Charles I, through the period of The Commonwealth of England, and Oliver Cromwell.
To reckon the correct edge year, subtract 1649 from the date, and add 1. This works, but as the regnal year did not coincide with the calendar year, the regnal date should change in mid year, as for Victoria on her "Old Head" crowns. There are a number of edge errors and varieties.

Provenance Marks
Provenance marks showing the source of the silver bullion used for the coins, were used on some halfcrowns of Charles II. A plume (feather) appears on some 1673 coins, and also in the centre of the reverse of others, denoting the silver was from the Welsh mines. An elephant and castle (howdah) appears under the bust of some 1681 coins denoting silver from The Africa Company.

Price & Availability
DateDescriptionCatGradeAvailabilityPrice £Price $
1663First Bust3361Fine / good FineSold£$
1671Third Bust Variety3366AskSold£Ask$Ask0

Notes on Table
Denomination = Face Value - Five Shillings
Mintage = Quantity issued, where known.

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