James II. 1685-1688. Silver Medal 1688, 69.11 g. Birth of Prince James. By G. Bower. Bust of James II, laureate and armoured. IACOBVS . II . D G MAG . BRI . FRAN . ET . HIB . REX. Below: GB. F. Rv. Bust of Mary in gown and mantle. MARIA . D G . MAG . BRI . FRAN . ET . HIB . REGINA . 1688. Plain edge. 52 mm. Eimer -. MI i 627/45. Gutes vorzüglich / About Uncirculated. Feine Patina / Nicely toned.

Purchased from the stock of Hess Divo, Zurich, June 1998.

James Francis Edward Stuart (10 June 1688 - 1 January 1766) was the House of Stuart claimant to the thrones of England, Ireland and Scotland from 1701 until his death in 1766. The only son of James II of England and his second wife, Mary of Modena, he was Prince of Wales and heir until his Catholic father was deposed and exiled in the Glorious Revolution of 1688. His Protestant half-sister Mary II and her husband William III became co-monarchs. As a Catholic, he was subsequently excluded from the succession by the Act of Settlement 1701.

His birth was unexpected, coming five years after his mother's tenth and last pregnancy, none of which produced a child that survived more than a few days. The birth reignited controversies of religion, as the new son would be raised Catholic.