Irish Crown

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Date:1690

Description:

Irish Gunmoney, brass Crown, 1690

Diameter 32mm

The obverse features a mounted male figure holding a sword. The horse and rider face left and appear in motion. The inscription around the outside, largely obscured by wear, reads 'IAC. II. DEI. GRA. MAG. BRI. FRA. ET. HIB. REX', an abbreviated latin inscription for 'James II By the Grace of God, King of Great Britain France and Ireland'. The reverse features four shields with crowns above, surrounding a crown. The shields bear the three lions of England (top), the single lion rampant of Scotland (right), the three fleurs-de-lys of France (bottom) and the harp of Ireland (left, obscured). In the angles of the shields is the date 'ANNO/ DOM/ 16/ 90'. The inscription around the outside reads 'CHRISTO VICTORE TRIUMPHO'. James II was deposed as King of Great Britain, France and Ireland on 11th January 1689. However, he retained the support of the Irish and French and fled to Ireland where he was finally defeated in July 1690 at the Battle of the Boyne. Due to his circumstances there was a shortage of regal coinage and Gunmoney was a token coinage, minted at either Dublin or Limerick. Like all token coinage Gunmoney was supposed to be redeemable once regal coinage was available again.

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Donor ref:LEAMG : M704.1928.2 (66/16508)

Source: Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum

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