Halve crown, noodmunt van Jacobus II, koning van Engeland, uit maart 1690 1690 - 1693

This is a half-crown coin made of an unknown metal in March 1690. Coins were powerful political tools, as they were the most common way for citizens to visualize their ruler. This coin depicts King James II of England, but it's what it doesn't depict that's important here. This coin was made during a time of political upheaval in England. James II was a Catholic king in a predominantly Protestant country, and his policies were deeply unpopular. He was deposed in 1688 during the Glorious Revolution. This coin was produced in Ireland, where James attempted to regain the throne. The word "noodmunt" means "emergency money," suggesting the coin was made in response to the chaos. The images on the coin, a portrait of James and a crown, emphasize his claim to authority, but the circumstances of its production tell another story. To fully understand this coin, we must analyze the historical context through texts, archives, and other objects. The meaning of art is contingent on its social and institutional context.