English Coinage of the Stuarts Post-Commonwealth

[Deeman]

Crown

The silver 'Petition' and 'Reddite' crowns were 40mm diameter and made with the most advanced coining technology of the era. Both struck from the same pair of dies and differ only in their edge treatment.

The obverse depicts a laureate and draped bust facing right within a circumscription, divided by the head, translating to 'Charles II, by the Grace of God'. The reverse depicts the crowned cruciform arrangement of the Arms of England, Scotland, France and Ireland around the Order of the Garter at the centre, interlocked 'Cs' in the angles, date flanking crown above English shield, with a circumscription, divided by crowns and continuing the king's titles, translating to 'Great Britain, France and Ireland, King'.

The 'Reddite' crown was also struck in pewter.



1663 dated Thomas Simon silver 'Petition' / 'Reddite' pattern crown, signed 'Simon' in script below bust.
Obverse inscription is CAROLVS / II DEI GRA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BRI FR / ET HIB / REX, pellet stops.

Edge inscription for 'Petition' crown, tiny lettering in two lines, featuring a plea, in English, submitted directly by Simon to Charles II as a personal 'petition' against the contemporary coins designed by the Flemish brothers John and Joseph Roettiers, for the king to consider this design for coinage and to appoint him the sole chief engraver: THOMAS SIMON MOST HVMBLY PRAYS YOVR MAJESTY TO COMPARE THIS HIS TRYALL PIECE WITH THE DVTCH AND IF MORE TRVLY DRAWN & EMBOSS'D MORE GRACEFVLLY ORDER'D AND MORE ACCVRATELY ENGRAVEN TO RELEIVE HIM.[/float]

Edge inscription for 'Reddite' crown is REDDITE QVÆ CÆSARIS CÆSARI &^ct-P0ST followed by a sun appearing out of the clouds. The translation is 'Render unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's' (Mark 12:17) followed by '&^ct-P0ST' which is an abbreviated form of POST NVBILA PHOEBUS translating to 'After the storm, the sun shines again.' The 'storm' referring to the English Civil War period with the 'sun' referring to the restoration of the monarchy.



There is a third variety with yet another edge: RENDER TO CÆSAR THE THINGS WHICH ARE CÆSAR'S &^c which is a rough English translation of the Reddite inscription.

[Deeman]

Pattern Coins - John Roettiers

Crown

Gold pattern crown dated 1662. In 1663, the king ordered the Roettiers to make minor changes to their dies, and Simon took the opportunity to create the 'Petition' crown in an attempt to have the king accept his design.

The obverse depicts a laureate bust facing right within a circumscription, divided by the head, translating to 'Charles II, by the Grace of God'. The reverse depicts the cruciform arrangement of crowned Arms with the Royal Arms (England and France quartered) at positions 1 & 3, Arms of Scotland at position 2 with Arms of Ireland at position 4, surrounding the star of the Garter, interlocked 'Cs' in the angles, date flanking crown in position 1, all within a circumscription, divided by crowns and continuing the king's titles, translating to 'Great Britain, France and Ireland, King'.



1662 dated John Roettiers gold crown, unsigned.
Obverse inscription is CAROLVS II / DEI GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REX, pellet stops.
Edge inscription is DECVS ET TVTAMEN (An Ornament and a Safeguard).


Gold pattern crown dated 1663. The obverse depicts a laureate and draped bust facing right within a circumscription, divided by the head, translating to 'Charles II, by the Grace of God'. The reverse depicts the crowned cruciform arrangement of the Arms of England, Scotland, France and Ireland around the star of the Garter, interlocked 'Cs' in the angles, date flanking crown above English shield, with a circumscription, divided by crowns and continuing the king's titles, translating to 'Great Britain, France and Ireland, King'.



1663 dated John Roettiers gold crown, unsigned.
Obverse inscription is CAROLVS II / DEI GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REX, pellet stops.
Edge inscription is DECVS ET TVTAMEN (An Ornament and a Safeguard).

[Deeman]

Shilling

1663 dated pattern silvered copper shilling depicting a laureate and draped bust facing right with a circumscription, divided by the head, translating to 'Charles II, by the Grace of God'. The reverse depicts a cruciform arrangement of crowned country emblems (rose, thistle, lis and harp) around a central arrangement of four interlocked 'Cs', with a circumscription, divided by crowns and continuing the King's titles, translating to 'Great Britain, France and Ireland, King' followed by the date between the Irish and English crowned emblems.



1663 dated John Roettiers copper shilling, unsigned.
Obverse inscription is CAROLVS II / DEI GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG BR / FRA ET / HI REX / 1663, pellet stops.


1676 dated double reverse silver shilling depicting a cruciform arrangement of crowned country emblems (rose, thistle, lis and harp) around a central arrangement of four interlocked 'Cs', with a circumscription, divided by crowns, translating to 'Great Britain, France and Ireland, King'. One side has the date flanking the English crowned emblem with the other having the date between the Irish and English crowned emblems.

Also struck in pewter.



1676 dated John Roettiers pattern mule double reverse silver shilling, unsigned.
Left reverse inscription is 76 MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REX 16, pellet stops.
Right reverse inscription is MAG BR / FRA ET / HI REX / 1676, pellet stops.

[Deeman]

Halfpenny

Undated copper halfpenny, 32-33mm diameter.

The obverse depicts a short-haired laureate and cuirassed bust facing left with a circumscription, divided by the head, translating to 'Charles, son of Charles' (Charles after Charles). The reverse depicts Britannia facing left seated on a globe with ornamented shield behind, clothed in clinging drapery, right hand extended out holding an olive branch, left hand holding spear, left leg extended. The inscription, divided by the design, translates to 'I claim the four Seas'. BRITANNIA is inscribed in the exergue.



Undated (ca 1662) John Roettiers copper halfpenny, unsigned.
Obverse inscription is CAROLVS A / CAROLO, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is QVATVOR MAR / IA / VINDICO, pellet stops.

[Deeman]

Farthing

1662 copper farthing 22.5mm diameter.

The obverse depicts a cruciform arrangement of crowned country emblems (rose, thistle, lis and harp) around a central pellet with a circumscription, divided by the crowns, translating to 'Charles, son of Charles' (Charles after Charles) ending with a lion passant symbol. The reverse depicts HMS Sovereign of the Seas sailing left, taken from John Payne's engraving (renamed HMS Royal Sovereign at the restoration of Charles II), with a circumscription translating to 'I claim the four Seas'.



1662 undated John Roettiers copper farthing, unsigned.
Obverse inscription is CARO / LVS A / CARO / LO, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is QVATVOR MARIA VINDICO, pellet stops.


1665 dated farthing with the obverse depicting a short-haired laureate and cuirassed bust facing left, date below, with a circumscription, divided by the head, translating to 'Charles, son of Charles' (Charles after Charles). The reverse depicts Britannia facing left seated on a globe with ornamented shield behind, clothed in clinging drapery, right hand extended out holding an olive branch, left hand holding spear, right leg extended. The inscription, divided by the design, translates to 'I claim the four Seas'. BRITANNIA is inscribed in the exergue.

Louis XIV strongly objected to the proud claim to the sea, and the influence he brought to bear prevented these pieces being adopted.



1665 dated John Roettiers silver farthing, unsigned. Struck in gold, silver and copper.
Obverse inscription is CAROLVS A / CAROLO, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is QVATVOR MA / RIA VINDICO, pellet stops.




1665 dated John Roettiers farthing, unsigned, long-haired variety. Struck in silver and copper.




1665 dated John Roettiers farthing, unsigned, long-haired variety. Struck in copper with brass inner ring. Extremely rare.




1665 dated John Roettiers farthing, unsigned, long-haired variety. Struck in brass with copper inner ring. Extremely rare.


1671 copper farthing was the final prototype for the currency issue commencing 1672.

The obverse depicts a short-haired laureate and cuirassed bust facing left with a circumscription, divided by the head, translating to 'Charles, son of Charles' (Charles after Charles). The reverse depicts Britannia facing left seated on a globe with ornamented shield behind, clothed in clinging drapery, right hand extended out holding an olive branch, left hand holding spear, right leg extended, circumscribed by BRITANNIA divided by the design, date in the exergue.



1671 dated John Roettiers copper farthing. Adopted pattern.
Obverse inscription is CAROLVS A / CAROLO, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is BRITAN / NIA, pellet stop.


1676 dated farthing with the obverse depicting a long-haired laureate and cuirassed bust facing left, date below, with a circumscription, divided by the head, translating to 'Charles, son of Charles' (Charles after Charles). The reverse depicts Britannia facing left seated on a globe with ornamented shield behind, clothed in clinging drapery, right hand extended out holding an olive branch, left hand holding spear, right leg extended. The inscription, divided by the design, translates to 'I claim the four Seas'. BRITANNIA is inscribed in the exergue.

Repeat of the 1665 long-haired pattern with slight revisions to both bust and Britannia.



1676 dated John Roettiers silver farthing.
Obverse inscription is CAROLVS A / CAROLO, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is QVATVOR MA / RIA VINDICO, pellet stops.

[Deeman]

Brockage

The term brockage refers to a type of error coin in which one side of the coin has the normal design and the other side has a mirror image of the same design impressed upon it.




1670-84 silver fourpence obverse.




1668-84 silver twopence obverse.




1670-84 silver penny obverse.




1683 silver penny reverse.

[Deeman]

James II

James II was the last Catholic monarch of England, Scotland and Ireland and his reign is remembered primarily for struggles over religious tolerance. However, it also involved the principles of absolutism and the divine right of kings, and his deposition ended a century of political and civil strife by confirming the primacy of Parliament over the Crown.

Because Charles II had been unable to produce a legitimate heir, his brother became James II of England and Ireland (James VII of Scotland). During Charles' reign the thought of Catholic James being next in line to the throne mattered greatly to a virulently anti-Catholic nation. Parliament responded by trying to pass the Exclusion Bill, which would have debarred James from the succession. Each time it came up for debate, Charles II dissolved Parliament, before finally ruling as an absolute monarch from 1681. Public support for Charles II grew (and the dislike of James eased) after the failed Rye House Plot of 1683, a Protestant plan to assassinate both of them on their way back to London from the races at Newmarket.

Charles II died, still without legitimate offspring, on 6 Feb 1685, to be succeeded by James II. The succession was challenged by Charles II's eldest illegitimate son, the Protestant Duke of Monmouth in what became known as the Monmouth Rebellion. James defeated Monmouth at the Battle of Sedgemoor on 6 Jul 1685, and Monmouth was subsequently executed, along with many of his supporters.

James quickly confirmed the worst fears of many of the Protestants in his kingdoms, reversing strong anti-Catholic discrimination and placing Catholics in senior positions in government, in the army and in the academic world. On 4 Apr 1687 James codified his views in the Declaration of Indulgence or the Declaration for the Liberty of Conscience. The apparent aim was to establish freedom of religion in James' kingdoms, but it was perceived by mainstream Protestants as an assault on their dominance. It was an attempt by James to modify the Test Act of 1673 that excluded from public office (both military and civil) all those who refused to take the oaths of allegiance and supremacy, who refused to receive the communion according to the rites of the Church of England, or who refused to renounce belief in the Roman Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation.

Matters came to a head in 1688. In April, the Archbishop of Canterbury and six other Bishops petitioned James, requesting he review his religious policies. He responded by arresting them and putting them on trial for seditious libel. James' credibility took a severe knock when they were subsequently acquitted. Then on 10 Jun, Mary of Modena gave birth to a son, and Protestants found themselves looking at the prospect of a Catholic dynasty.

On 30 Jun 1688 a group of Protestant nobles asked William, Prince of Orange, who had married James' elder daughter Mary when James was Duke of York, to come to England with an army to overthrow James. William's marriage was a tactical move which he anticipated would allow him to acquire Charles's kingdoms in the future and both influence and redirect the French-dominated policies of the English monarchy towards a more favourable Dutch position. William had issued a secret plea to Charles II, asking the king to prevent a Catholic from succeeding him. This did not go down well. Following James II's accession, William was desperately looking for ways to undermine him and the plea to overthrow James provided the ideal opportunity.

When William of Orange landed in south west England on 5 Nov 1688, with a fleet that was both imposing and considerably larger than the English had encountered during the Spanish Armada, it was the start of the "Glorious Revolution". The negotiations, on what would eventually be the Glorious Revolution, had started in the summer of 1686 when William Penn (religious thinker belonging to the Quakers and founder of Pennsylvania) visited William of Orange. In early 1687, William responded by sending a special representative, Dijkveld, to England. He streamlined the English opposition to James' Declaration of Indulgence through the Earls of Danby (erstwhile go-between for William's marriage to Mary Stuart) and Nottingham.

It was a bloodless coup. James tried to escape to France, but was caught in Kent. However, William allowed him to flee the country on 23 Dec 1688, keen not to see him used as a martyr for the Catholic cause.

[Deeman]

James II Coinage

The coinage of James II was struck in the same denominations and weights as the milled coins of Charles II.

The reverse design on the gold coinage follows the Charles II design, but without the central interlocked 'Cs'. The five guineas, guinea and half-guinea gold denominations exist with or without an elephant and castle provenance mark.

The reverse design on crowns, halfcrowns, shillings and sixpences follow the Charles II design but without the interlocked 'Cs' in the angles. There are no elephant and castle provenance marks on the silver coinage. A provenance mark of a plume, identified with Welsh silver, appears on an extremely rare 1685 shilling.

In 1685, the production of tin farthings, still with a copper centre plug and edge inscription, was continued for James II, with the addition of tin halfpennies. The reverse designs were identical to the previous ones of Charles II. The obverse design of the halfpennies showed a draped bust of James II, that on the farthings had a cuirassed bust, except for the last year, 1687, when a draped version was introduced, similar to the halfpenny.

A 1684 farthing was struck in error, the product of a Charles II edge being used since James' farthing production did not start until 1685.

There was no copper coinage produced during James II's reign.

Format

James II is presented in sections as follows:

Gold coinage 1685-88.
Silver coinage 1685-88.
Tin coinage 1684-87.
Gun money overstrike on half-guinea.
Maundy set brockage.

[Deeman]

Gold Coinage 1685-88

Five guineas

The five-guinea coin was 0.916 fine (22ct), 37mm diameter, current for £5, but all gold coins were treated as bullion and the intrinsic value changed according to the price of gold. Struck 1686-88 first bust and 1687-88 second bust.

The obverse depicts a laureate bust of the king left with a circumscription, divided by the head, of 'James II, by the Grace of God'. The reverse depicts the crowned cruciform arrangement of the Arms of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, emblem-adorned sceptres (orb, thistle, lis, harp) in angles to right of their respective shields, central pellet, date flanking crown above English shield, with a circumscription, divided by crowns and continuing the king's titles, translating to 'Great Britain, France and Ireland, King'.




1686 dated gold five guineas, first bust.
Obverse inscription is IACOBVS II / DEI GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REX, pellet stops, small crowns, lis and harp sceptres interchanged.
Edge inscription is DECVS ET TVTAMEN (An Ornament and a Safeguard) then ANNO REGNI SECVNDO (2nd regnal year).




1687 dated gold five guineas, second bust (larger).
Obverse inscription is IACOBVS II / DEI GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REX, pellet stops.
Edge inscription is DECVS ET TVTAMEN (An Ornament and a Safeguard) then ANNO REGNI TERTIO (3rd regnal year).




1688 dated gold five guineas, first bust.
Obverse inscription is IACOBVS II / DEI GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REX, pellet stops.
Edge inscription is DECVS ET TVTAMEN (An Ornament and a Safeguard) then ANNO REGNI QVARTO (4th regnal year).




1688 dated gold five guineas, first bust.
Obverse inscription is IACOBVS II / DEI GRATIA, pellet stops, elephant and castle below.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REX, pellet stops.
Edge inscription is DECVS ET TVTAMEN (An Ornament and a Safeguard) then ANNO REGNI QVARTO (4th regnal year).

[Deeman]

Two guineas

The two-guinea coin was 0.916 fine (22ct), 31-32mm diameter, current for £2. Struck 1687-88.

The obverse depicts a laureate bust of the king left with a circumscription, divided by the head, of 'James II, by the Grace of God'. The reverse depicts the crowned cruciform arrangement of the Arms of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, emblem-adorned sceptres (orb, thistle, lis, harp) in angles to right of their respective shields, central pellet, date flanking crown above English shield, with a circumscription, divided by crowns and continuing the king's titles, translating to 'Great Britain, France and Ireland, King'.



1688/7 dated gold two guineas.
Obverse inscription is IACOBVS II / DEI GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REX, pellet stops.

[Deeman]

Guinea

The guinea coin was 0.916 fine (22ct), 25mm diameter, current for 20/-. Struck 1685-86 first bust and 1686-88 second bust.

The obverse depicts a laureate bust of the king left with a circumscription, divided by the head, of 'James II, by the Grace of God'. The reverse depicts the crowned cruciform arrangement of the Arms of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, emblem-adorned sceptres (orb, thistle, lis, harp) in angles to right of their respective shields, central pellet, date flanking crown above English shield, with a circumscription, divided by crowns and continuing the king's titles, translating to 'Great Britain, France and Ireland, King'.




1685 dated gold guinea, first bust.
Obverse inscription is IACOBVS II / DEI GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REX, pellet stops.




1685 dated gold guinea, first bust.
Obverse inscription is IACOBVS II / DEI GRATIA, pellet stops, elephant and castle below.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REX, pellet stops.




1686 dated gold guinea, second bust.
Obverse inscription is IACOBVS II / DEI GRATIA, pellet stops, elephant and castle below.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REX, pellet stops.




1688 dated gold guinea, second bust.
Obverse inscription is IACOBVS II / DEI GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REX, pellet stops.

[Deeman]

Half-guinea

The half-guinea coin was 0.916 fine (22ct), 20mm diameter, current for 10/-. Struck 1686-88.

The obverse depicts a laureate bust of the king left with a circumscription, divided by the head, of 'James II, by the Grace of God'. The reverse depicts the crowned cruciform arrangement of the Arms of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, emblem-adorned sceptres (orb, thistle, lis, harp) in angles to right of their respective shields, central pellet, date flanking crown above English shield, with a circumscription, divided by crowns and continuing the king's titles, translating to 'Great Britain, France and Ireland, King'.




1686 dated gold half-guinea.
Obverse inscription is IACOBVS II / DEI GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REX, pellet stops.




1686 dated gold half-guinea.
Obverse inscription is IACOBVS II / DEI GRATIA, pellet stops, elephant and castle below.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REX, pellet stops.

[Deeman]

Silver Coinage 1685-88

Crown

The crown was 39mm diameter, current for 5/-. Struck 1686 first bust and 1687-88 second bust.

The obverse depicts a laureate and draped bust of the king left with a circumscription, divided by the head, of 'James II, by the Grace of God'. The reverse depicts the crowned cruciform arrangement of the Arms of England, Scotland, France and Ireland around the star of the Garter, date flanking crown above English shield, with a circumscription, divided by crowns and continuing the king's titles, translating to 'Great Britain, France and Ireland, King'.




1686 dated silver crown, first bust.
Obverse inscription is IACOBVS II / DEI GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REX, pellet stops.
Edge inscription is DECVS ET TVTAMEN (An Ornament and a Safeguard) then ANNO REGNI SECVNDO (2nd regnal year).




1687 dated silver crown, second bust (narrower).
Obverse inscription is IACOBVS II / DEI GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REX, pellet stops.
Edge inscription is DECVS ET TVTAMEN (An Ornament and a Safeguard) then ANNO REGNI TERTIO (3rd regnal year).

[Deeman]

Halfcrown

The halfcrown was 33mm diameter, current for 2/6. Struck 1685-87 first bust and 1687-88 second bust.

The obverse depicts a laureate and draped bust of the king left with a circumscription, divided by the head, of 'James II, by the Grace of God'. The reverse depicts the crowned cruciform arrangement of the Arms of England, Scotland, France and Ireland around the star of the Garter, date flanking crown above English shield, with a circumscription, divided by crowns and continuing the king's titles, translating to 'Great Britain, France and Ireland, King'.




1687 dated silver halfcrown, first bust.
Obverse inscription is IACOBVS II / DEI GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REX, pellet stops.
Edge inscription is DECVS ET TVTAMEN (An Ornament and a Safeguard) then ANNO REGNI TERTIO (3rd regnal year).




1688 dated silver halfcrown, second bust (narrower).
Obverse inscription is IACOBVS II / DEI GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REX, pellet stops.
Edge inscription is DECVS ET TVTAMEN (An Ornament and a Safeguard) then ANNO REGNI QVARTO (4th regnal year).

[Deeman]

Shilling

The shilling was 25mm diameter. Struck 1685-88.

The obverse depicts a laureate and draped bust of the king left with a circumscription, divided by the head, of 'James II, by the Grace of God'. The reverse depicts the crowned cruciform arrangement of the Arms of England, Scotland, France and Ireland around the star of the Garter, date flanking crown above English shield, with a circumscription, divided by crowns and continuing the king's titles, translating to 'Great Britain, France and Ireland, King'.




1685 dated silver shilling, Welsh silver. Extremely rare.
Obverse inscription is IACOBVS II / DEI GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REX, pellet stops, central plume.




1687 dated silver shilling.
Obverse inscription is IACOBVS II / DEI GRATIA, pellet stops.
Reverse inscription is MAG / BR FRA / ET HIB / REX, pellet stops.