Reproduction William and Mary Shilling

Obverse: Conjoined laureate and draped busts facing right of William in foreground and Mary in background. Text around GVLIELMVS ET MARIA DEI GRATIA.

Reverse: Crowned cruciform shields, five strings to harp, Lion of Nassau at centre, date surrounding, WM monogram in angles Text around MAG BR FR ET HI REX ET REGINA.

History: William and Mary came from Holland to invade England as James II was unpopular. After landing in Devon, flanked by their troops, many defected to their side. Without support, James II fled and William and Mary became England’s new monarchs.

With William and Mary taking to the throne, the designs that were struck onto coins had to change. Not wanting to stray from the old Greek and Roman coinage style, it was decided that they’d both be represented on their coins, with William’s bust in front and Mary’s behind, both of their profiles clearly displayed. On the reverse their shillings bore both of their initials – a W and an M intertwined within the angles of the shields.

Date: 1693

Diameter: 2.5cm