Sale: CNG 64, Lot: 1668. Estimate $300.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 24 September 2003.  Sold For $575. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

IRELAND. James II. 1685-1691. Æ Gunmoney Crown (15.40 gm). Civil war issue of 1689-1691. Dated 1690. James on horseback left / Cruciform arms, crown at center. Cf. SCBI 22, 432; SCBC 6578. Near EF, nice even surfaces. Overstruck on large-size Gunmoney halfcrown (cf. SCBC 6579). ($300)

In 1688 James II fled from England to France and the English crown passed to his daughter Mary and her husband William of Orange. After drumming up Catholic support on the Continent, James landed in Ireland in March 1689 to continue his struggle to regain control. Having insufficient funds to underwrite his war efforts, a plan was devised to issue official base metal token coins which would be exchanged for sterling silver once the war was won. Shortly after the inception of their issue, months were added to the dates to facilitate a staggered redemption plan once the war was over. The coins were made of brass from old cannon, bells, and other scrap metal. They would later become known as 'Gunmoney' coins. After William III seized the Dublin mint following the Battle of the Boyne, the coins were demonetized.