Coins & Medals
Two Guineas: James II (obverse); Four Shields of Arms (reverse)
MetalworkCoin
Details
- Author / creator
- John Roettier (British, 1631–1703)
- Object type
- Coin or medal
- Date or period
- 1687
- Dimensions summary
- Diameter: 3.7 cm
- Place of origin
- England
- Acquisition method
- Donation
- Credit line
- Gift of the Hartley Bequest, 1969
- Denomination
- Two Guineas
- Issuer / ruler
- James II
- Mint
- London (Tower Mint)
- Metal
- Gold
- Weight (g)
- 16.59
- Diameter (mm)
- 37
- Image rights
- Public domain (CC0)
About this object
The coin type of James II was a continuation of that of the reign of his brother, Charles II. A rare piece, this denomination was only issued in 1687 and 1688. The four gold denominations established under the reformed coinage of the previous reign were five guineas, two guineas, guinea, and half guinea.
Materials and technique
Gold
Signature and marks
Obverse: DEI GRATIA IACOEVS II (“James the Second, by the Grace of God”); Reverse: MAG BR FRA ET HIB REX 1687 (“King of Great Britain, France and Ireland 1687”)
Obverse
James II
Reverse
Four Shields of Arms
