Summary

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

Third reverse, crowned shields in cruciform WM monograms in angles

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.

Reverse Description

The crowned shields of England, Scotland, France and Ireland forming a cross shape around the arms of Nassau at the centre; in the angles between the shields, the monogram WM above a numeral of the date 1693; around, MAG BR FR ET HIB REX ET REGINA

Edge Description

The raised legend, + DECVS ET TVTAMEN ANNO REGNI QVINTO

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