James II. 1685-1688. Silver Medal 1685, 51.55 g. Scottish Parliament Opened. By J. Schmeltzing. Bust, laureate. IACOBUS II . D . G . MAG : BRI : FRAN : ET HIB : REX. Rv. Lion couchant, crowned, his paws upon sceptre and globe. NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSET. In exergue: MDCLXXXV. Plain edge. 49 mm. Eimer 275. MI i 607/10. van Loon III, 303,1. Saunders/Vanhoudt 1685-1. Selten / Rare. Fast vorzüglich / About Extremely Fine. Feine Patina / Nicely toned. Kleiner Stempelriss / Small die crack.

Purchased from Spink Numismatic Circular, London, July 1997, lot 464.
From Glendining, March 1989, lot 267.

The opening of the Scottish Parliament in 1685 - not a democratic institution in the modern sense but rather a body dominated by the monarchy and the aristocracy - took place as part of the broader context of the Restoration era, following the return of King Charles II to the throne in 1660 after the Interregnum. By 1685, Charles II had died and his brother, James VII of Scotland (James II of England), had ascended to the throne.

The parliament likely supported James VII's attempts to promote religious tolerance for Catholics, which was highly controversial and contributed to growing opposition. The tensions of this period would eventually lead to the Glorious Revolution of 1688 - 1689, which resulted in James VII being deposed in favor of William III and Mary II.

This piece bears the Scottish motto and is conformable to the spirit of the King's letter on the opening of the Scottish Parliament, wherein he exhorts them against "those inhumain wretches all fanatical murtherers and assassins" and "to extirpate the desperate fanatical party."