Halve crown, noodmunt van Jacobus II, koning van Engeland, uit mei 1690 1690 - 1695

This silver half crown was struck anonymously in May 1690. It is an example of what's called ‘emergency money,’ minted for James II, the ousted British monarch. Its imagery and value are intimately tied to the politics of the time. James was overthrown in the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and exiled to France. From there, he attempted to regain his throne by landing in Ireland. The coin was produced during this campaign to pay his troops. The portrait on the coin is a visual code of his claim to power, while the material value was intended to keep his army afloat. The discipline of numismatics, the study of coins, helps us understand the context of this object. Research into minting practices, monetary policy, and the political history of the period all shed light on the meaning of this coin. It serves as a reminder that even seemingly mundane objects can offer valuable insights into moments of social and political upheaval.