2 Great Fire Of London Coin

So, there I was, rummaging through my grandma's attic, you know, the usual suspects - old books, yellowed photographs, and a bunch of stuff that time forgot. And then, tucked away in a corner, I found this little beauty. A coin, tarnished with age, but with a story that's anything but rusty. It's a 1672 Fire of London coin, and let me tell you, it's not just any old coin.

Meet the Fire of London Coin

Now, you might be thinking, "What's so special about a coin from the 1600s?" Well, my friend, this isn't just any coin from the 1600s. This is a coin that witnessed one of the most devastating fires in London's history. The Great Fire of London, to be precise. And no, I'm not talking about the one from the Harry Potter series. This was the real deal.

September 2, 1666 - A Day That Changed London Forever

Picture this: It's a quiet Sunday morning in London. The city's still recovering from the Great Plague, and then, BAM! A small fire breaks out in a bakery on Pudding Lane. Four days later, the city's a smoldering ruin. Over 13,000 houses destroyed, 87 parish churches gone, and St. Paul's Cathedral left as a burnt-out shell. It was a disaster of epic proportions.

And here's where our little coin comes in. You see, after the fire, the city needed to rebuild. And to do that, they needed money. So, they started minting these coins, known as the 'Fire of London' coins. They were made from melted-down coins and bullion, with the profits going towards the city's reconstruction.

Now, I'm no expert (yet), but I reckon my coin was one of those. It's got the same design - a crowned shield with the words 'London' and '1672' around it. Simple, yet powerful. A symbol of resilience in the face of destruction.

Elizabeth II 2016 proof Two-Pounds - Great Fire of London | European Coins

But Why Should You Care?

You might be thinking, "That's all well and good, but what's the big deal about an old coin?" Well, let me tell you, these coins are a piece of history. They're a tangible link to a time when London was literally rising from the ashes. They're a testament to the city's ability to bounce back from disaster.

Plus, they're just plain cool. I mean, how many people can say they've got a coin that's over 350 years old? Not many, I'd wager. And sure, it might not be worth a fortune (at least, not to me), but it's priceless in terms of historical value.

Great Fire of London - Colour – The Commemorative Coin Company

So, What's the Moral of the Story?

Well, I guess the moral is that history is all around us. You just need to know where to look. And sometimes, it's not in the grand museums or the dusty history books. Sometimes, it's in your grandma's attic, waiting to be discovered.

And who knows? Maybe you've got a little piece of history hiding in your own home. So, go on, have a look. You never know what you might find.