Charles II coin value guide
Charles II · 1660–1685 · Unite & Gold, Half-Crown & Shilling, Sixpence & smaller
Denominations
Unite & Gold, Half-Crown & Shilling, Sixpence & smaller
Reign
1660–1685
What a coin is worth depends on its exact type, mint, grade and provenance — the type tables and value factors below explain what drives each one.
About these coins
Charles II's hammered coinage (1660–1662) is the last in the long English hammered series. Struck in three issues at the start of his reign before machine-made (milled) coinage took over permanently in 1662, it includes gold unites, crowns and silver from the half-crown down to the penny. The third hammered issue added a mark of value and an inner circle, easing the transition to the new milled coins.
As the final flourish of a tradition stretching back to Anglo-Saxon times, Charles II hammered coins hold special appeal. The undenominated first and second issues are scarcer; the third-issue silver with marks of value is the most available. Issue, denomination, grade and provenance set the value — and from 1662 onward the coinage is milled, a separate area.
Unite & Gold — value by type
Hammered gold — the unite (20s), double-crown and crown — of the first three issues before milled gold replaced them.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Unite / Double-Crown / Crown 1660–1662 Crowned bust; the last hammered English gold. | Scarce to rare |
Half-Crown & Shilling — value by type
The silver half-crown (2s 6d) and shilling (12d) of the three hammered issues.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Half-Crown / Shilling 1660–1662 Crowned bust; the third issue carries a mark of value and inner circles. | Scarce — third issue most available |
Sixpence & smaller — value by type
The silver sixpence, and the small twopence, penny and threepence/fourpence of the Maundy-style minor coinage.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Sixpence / Smaller silver 1660–1662 The minor hammered silver; later struck milled as the Maundy series. | Collectable |
What drives the value
Type & rarity
Within a single reign, common types in collectable grade sit far below the scarce and rare types. Identifying the exact type is the first step in any valuation.
Mint & moneyer
Coins of rare mints, or with sought-after moneyer or privy-mark signatures, carry a clear premium over the common major-mint issues.
Grade & surfaces
A full, sharp strike with a clear portrait or design and legible legends commands the most. Weak striking, chips, cracks and corrosion all reduce value.
Provenance
A pedigree to a named cabinet or a recorded hoard adds both value and confidence in authenticity, especially for scarcer and higher-grade pieces.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Charles II hammered coin worth?
The third-issue silver with marks of value is the most available, while the undenominated first and second issues and the hammered gold are scarcer and higher. Issue, denomination, grade and provenance set the figure — use the valuation tool for a figure based on realised prices for comparable coins.
Why are Charles II hammered coins special?
They are the last coins in the English hammered tradition, struck only from 1660 to 1662 before machine-made milled coinage replaced hammering permanently — the end of a method used since Anglo-Saxon times.
What is the difference between hammered and milled Charles II coins?
His earliest coins (1660–1662) were struck by hand between dies (hammered); from 1662 the Royal Mint switched to milled (machine-struck) coinage. This guide covers the hammered issues.