Summary

Silver coin; Denomination: Halfcrown
Tower Mint, London
William and Mary (1688-1694)

Second crowned shield, caul plain, interior plain, pearls

Mary was the daughter of James II. For reasons of politics she had married William of Orange, James II nephew and left England to live with him in the Netherlands. When James II lost support, William was invited to invade England and to take over the throne jointly with his wife. James II escaped to France and live there in exile until his death.

A halfcrown is a 2 shilling and 6 pence coin (30 pence)

Obverse Description

The laureate conjoined busts of William and Mary facing right; around, GVLIELMVS ET MARIA DEI GRATIA. The obverse has been engraved IBS / 1775

Reverse Description

The second type crowned Royal shield (first and fourth quarters quartered with the arms of England and France), caul plain, interior plain, pearls; around, MAG BR FR ET HIB REX ET REGINA; the crown divides the date 1789.

Edge Description

The raised legend, + DECVS ET TVTAMEN ANNO REGNI PRIMO

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