Charles II pennies - left and right busts

[Descartes]

Hi,

Can anybody tell me why the busts of Charles II on his pennies face both left and right? I can't seem to find any info on the internet to explain it.

Thanks,

Descartes

 

Edited September 27, 2017 by Descartes
typo

[Ukstu]

Interesting point. I'd never given that any thought. The right coin is the earlier portrait. (Undated group).  Could it be that he was trying to continue his fathers left facing portrait kind of like a tribute to him? The engraver was the same , John Roettiers .  

Edited September 27, 2017 by Ukstu

[Rob]

The only point of reference I can think of is the end of hammered coinage and its replacement with an all milled coinage. Good question, never noticed or thought about it. However, thinking about it now.........

One possible reason could be that Charles I faced left, so you would expect Charles II to face right (the Commonwealth didn't exist in Royalist eyes, Charles II's accession being on the death of his father). The Cromwell and hammered Charles II coins faced left, but as any royal succession out of the question with the abolition of the monarchy, the custom of alternating busts became irrelevant. Moreover, the latter two issues were engraved by Thomas Simon. As one who worked for Cromwell et al, he may not have cared which way Charles II faced. The odd ones out are the Commonwealth, Cromwell and Chas.2 hammered issues.

Edited September 27, 2017 by Rob

[Coinery]

There is a reason. I've read it somewhere, but can't think where, and can't think what, if that's any help? ?

You're such an academic, coinery!

[Ukstu]

We forgot the farthings. They are left facing portrait also. ?