Description
James II of the House of Stuart, King of England 1685-1688 AD, Silver Crown of Five Shillings (29.95g, 39mm), 1687. Obverse: Second laureate and draped bust of King James II facing to the left, legend surrounds, “IACOBVS· II· DEI· GRATIA”. Reverse: Cruciform Shield of Arms of the House of Stuart, each surmounted by St. Edward’s Crown, Irish harp of 6 strings, 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. A most charming and modest grade James II crown, very minor adjustment marks to bottom crown, nicely toned with a deep grey with underlying colour to the obverse at every rotation, details good Fine, reverse near Very Fine.
The obverse Latin legend is stated in full as “Iācōbus 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 Rēx”, 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”.