Shilling, noodmunt van Jacobus II, koning van Engeland, uit februari 1689 1689

This is a silver Shilling, a ‘necessity coin’ of James II, King of England, made in February 1689 by an anonymous artist. Note the coin's circular form, which traditionally denotes completeness and authority. Yet, this one is imperfect. Its damaged edges and worn details create a sense of instability, undermining the intended message of royal power. The profile of King James, though regal in design, appears diminished by the coin's damaged state. On the reverse, the symbols of sovereignty are weakly defined. The tarnished silver further mutes the coin’s details, challenging the viewer to decipher its signs. We can interpret the coin's design as a failed signifier of power reflecting the challenges to James II's reign during the Glorious Revolution. Consider the coin's material presence, from the coldness of the metal to the bas-relief that creates a sense of depth. The coin embodies a moment of crisis, where traditional symbols of power are destabilized by historical and material forces, forever questioning fixed meanings and values.