Description
James II of the House of Stuart, King of England 1685-1688 AD, Silver Crown of Five Shillings (30.36g, 39mm), 1687. Obverse: Second laureate and draped bust of King James II facing to the left, legend surrounds, “IACOBVS· II· DEI· GRATIA”. Reverse: Crowned cruciform Shields of Arms of the House of Stuart, Garter Star at centre, date either side of top crown, legend surrounds, “·MAG· BR· FRA˙ ET· HIB REX·”. Edge: Inscription in raised lettering, “DECVS· ET· TVTAMEN· · ANNO· REGNI· TERTIO·”. Spink-3407; Bull-743; ESC-78. Despite the clear flan flaws to the fields and some light brushing, the offered piece is a powerful rendition of James II and wholly attractive to the eye, the obverse depicts the King in quite high relief, less often seen for the type, and each side exhibits a nice cabinet grey patina which is supplemented with a captivating display of radiant amber and gold tone over the central Garter Star on the reverse, details near Extremely Fine.
The Obverse Latin legend is stated in full as “Jācōbus Secundus, Deī Grātiā”, with an English translation of “James the Second, by the Grace of God”. The Reverse Latin legend continues from the obverse and reads “Magnae Britanniae, Franciae et Hiberniae, Rex”, with an English translation of “King of Great Britain, France and Ireland”. The Edge legend is stated in full as “Decus et Tūtāmen Annō Rēgnī Tertiō”, with an English translation of “An Ornament and safeguard, Third Regnal Year”.