Description

James II. 1685-1688. Silver Medal n. d. (c. 1685), 9.81 g. James II and Mary of Modena. Unsigned. Bust of James II, laureate. IACOBVS . II . D . G . MAG . BRI . FRAN . ET . HIB . REX. Rv. Bust of Mary, gown and mantle around the bust. MARIA . D . G . MAG . BRI . FRAN . ET . HIB . REGI. Plain edge. 28.3 mm. Eimer -. MI i 608/13. van Loon III, 303,3. Saunders/Vanhoudt 1685-7. Sehr schön / Very Fine.

Purchased from S & B, Great Missenden, May 1997, lot M62.

Married on 20 September 1673, James II, an avowed Roman Catholic, was twenty-five years older than his bride, scarred by smallpox and afflicted with a stammer, and Mary of Modena reigned from 1685 onwards as catholic monarchs over a protestant country. This created several tensions between court and country (including two rebellions) which ultimately led to the Glorious Revolution of late 1688.