Halve crown, noodmunt van Jacobus II, koning van Engeland, uit februari 1689 1689

This is an anonymous ‘halve crown’, an emergency coin made of base metal depicting James II, King of England, in February 1689. Coins like these were produced out of necessity at times of political upheaval, when precious metals were unavailable. Here, the image of the monarch becomes a symbol of power but also fragility and the vulnerability of institutions. Made in Ireland, its production coincided with a conflict between James II and William of Orange for control of the English, Scottish and Irish thrones. The coin offers a fascinating insight into this moment of crisis. The very act of producing such a coin reflected a desperate attempt to maintain economic stability amid political turmoil. Numismatists and historians piece together a picture of how the production of this coin reflects the social, political and economic tensions that shaped its creation. The meaning of this object comes alive when studied in its original social and institutional context.