Charles II (1649–85) was on the throne at the time this turner was made, in 1677. After years in exile, the king had been restored as the English monarch in 1660. No coins were made until his return – and not a single gold coin was made in all his reign.

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

This copper coin, worth two pence Scots, shows a crown over a crossed sword and sceptre. A crowned thistle is centred on the reverse.

The legend translates as ‘Charles by the grace of God King of Scotland, England, France and Ireland’. The Latin itself reads: ‘CAR.D.G.SCO. ANG. FR. ET. HIB. REX’.

‘No one shall hurt me with impunity’ is the meaning of the motto on the reverse. This is written: ‘NEMO ME IMPVNE LACESSET’.