Ireland, James II 1690 "Gunmoney" Crown

James II (1688-91), Gunmoney Crown, 1690, armoured King on horseback left, upright sword with flowing scarf, ground below, legend surrounding, IAC. II DEI. GRA. MAG. BRI. FRA. ET. HIB. REX, rev. crown at centre of crowned cruciform shields, legend across angles in two lines, ANO / DOM / 16 / 90, legend surrounding, CHRIS TO. VICT ORE. TRI VMPHO, edge engrailed, weight 12.12g (DF 366; S.6578). Toned, some Halfcrown undertype showing, good very fine.

The Latin legends translate as on obverse "James the Second, by the grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland" and on reverse as "I exalt in the victory of Christ" with "in the year of our Lord 1690."

The base metal Gunmoney coinage was produced uniquely on a month by month basis, principally in Dublin but also in Limerick to support the Irish cause in the campaign of James II. Produced on the old style dating system of the Julian calendar where the old year ends and the new year begins on March 25th, these coins have the month upon them as well as the year. They were produced on two coin presses, one nicknamed the "James" press based in Dublin and the other the "Duchess" press which found its way to Limerick. As time progressed and things became more desperate the earlier large size coins were called in to remint as smaller size versions with higher face values, now including a Crown which was struck over the large Halfcrowns as offered herewith.