Ira and Larry Goldberg Auctioneers
Auction 98 6-7 Jun 2017
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Ireland. 'Gunmoney' Halfcrown, 1690 (March). James II, 1685-1691. Large 0 in date. Obverse IACOBVS II DEI GRATIA. Reverse HIB REX MAG BR FRA. Crown over sceptres XXX (30 pence) above. Nicely detailed for this crudely made emergency issue coinage. Strong portrait. NGC graded MS-62. WINGS. Estimate Value $400 - 500
James II fled from England to France in 1688 and the throne was offered to his daughter and son-in-law, William and Mary. In March 1689 James II moved to Ireland, determined to continue the struggle. He devised a scheme whereby he would remunerate his troops by issuing official base metals coins denominated as crowns, halfcrowns and shillings, which would be exchanged for silver coins when the war was won. The coins were made of brass from cannon, old bells and all manner of scrap. Originally the coins were known as 'Brass Money' but later as 'Gunmoney.'.
James II fled from England to France in 1688 and the throne was offered to his daughter and son-in-law, William and Mary. In March 1689 James II moved to Ireland, determined to continue the struggle. He devised a scheme whereby he would remunerate his troops by issuing official base metals coins denominated as crowns, halfcrowns and shillings, which would be exchanged for silver coins when the war was won. The coins were made of brass from cannon, old bells and all manner of scrap. Originally the coins were known as 'Brass Money' but later as 'Gunmoney.'.