Description
Charles II of the House of Stuart, King of England 1660-1685 AD, Silver Crown (29.58g, 38mm), 1673 QVINTO, Tower mint, London. Obverse: Third laureate and draped bust of King Charles II facing to the right, legend surrounds, “CAROLVS· II· DEI· GRATIA”. Reverse: Cruciform Shields of Arms of the House of Stuart, each surmounted by the Tudor Crown (with additional elements from the Crown of Scotland), Irish harp of 7 strings, Garter Star at centre, interlocked pair of “C”s in each angle, date either side of top crown, legend surrounds, “·MAG BRI· FRA· ET· HIB REX·”. Edge: Inscription in raised letters, “DECVS ET TVTAMEN ANNO REGNI VICESIMO QVINTO”. Bull-390; Spink-3358. Evenly worn and visually attractive, nicer in hand, near Very Fine, reverse Very Fine.
The obverse Latin legend reads “Carolus Secundus, Deī Grātiā”, with an English translation of “Charles the Second, by the Grace of God”. The reverse Latin legend continues from the obverse and reads “Magnae Britanniae, Franciae et Hiberniae Rex”, with an English translation of “King of Great Britain, France and Ireland”. The edge Latin inscription is stated in full as “Decus et tūtāmen, annō regni vīcēsimō quīntō”, with an English translation of “An ornament and safeguard, twenty fifth regnal year”.