Coin, silver, issued by Charles II, 1661.

Silver shilling of Charles II

Stuart, struck in 1661

Following the death of Oliver Cromwell, Charles II, who had been living in exile during the Commonwealth period, was asked by Parliament to return and in 1660 he was restored to the throne. Hammered coins were produced in the early years of his reign, such as this example, a shilling of the second issue (1661). However, with advancements in the machinery for making milled coins they were becoming obsolete and in 1662 hammered coins were produced for the last time.