Found at St Ninian’s Chapel, this turner is an example of copper coinage from the reign of Charles II (1649–85). Worth two pence Scots, the coin bears a crowned ‘CRII’ for ‘King Charles II’. A thistle takes centre place on the reverse.

Charles II was declared King of Scots shortly after his father – Charles I – was executed in 1649. Crowned at Scone on 1 January 1651, he fled to Europe later the same year. This was his second period of exile due to ongoing conflict throughout the British Isles and Ireland.

No coins were made until Charles II was restored to the English throne in 1660. Even then, not a single gold coin was issued during his reign. This copper turner dates from 1663.

The legend means ‘Charles by the grace of God King of Scotland, England, France and Ireland’. The Latin itself reads: ‘CAR DG SCOT ANG FRA ET HIB R CR’.

The motto on the reverse, which means ‘no one shall hurt me with impunity’, is written: ‘NEMO ME IMPVNE LACESSET’.