Two Guineas: James II (obverse); Four Shields of Arms (Cleveland Museum of Art 1969.200)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1687
The coin type of James II was a continuation of that of the reign of his brother, Charles II. A rare piece, this denomination was only issued in 1687 and 1688. The four gold denominations established under the reformed coinage of the previous reign were five guineas, two guineas, guinea, and half guinea. Cleveland Museum of Art object 1969.200: Two Guineas: James II (obverse); Four Shields of Arms (reverse), 1687. Design by John Roettier (British, 1631–1703). Gold; diameter: 3.7 cm (1 7/16 in.). Inscribed: DEI GRATIA IACOEVS II (James the Second, by the Grace of God); MAG BR FRA ET HIB REX 1687 (King of Great Britain, France and Ireland 1687). Details are those of this museum object; how far it represents a wider type has not been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 3
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
The shields are as follows: England has three lions, Scotland has one lion, France has three fleur-de-lis, and Ireland has a harp.
Physical characteristics
- Materials
- gold
- Dimensions
- Diameter: 3.7 cm (1 7/16 in.)
- Measurements
- Diameter: 3.7 cm (1 7/16 in.)
- Material and technique
- gold
Design
- Inscriptions
- DEI GRATIA IACOEVS II (James the Second, by the Grace of God); MAG BR FRA ET HIB REX 1687 (King of Great Britain, France and Ireland 1687)
Identification
- Date recorded
- 1687
- Culture period
- England, James II, 1685-1688
- Maker recorded
- John Roettier (British, 1631–1703)
- Museum attribution
- John Roettier (British, 1631–1703)
- Holding institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Museum object number
- 1969.200
- Published references
- Cleveland Museum of Art, and Emery May Norweb. English Gold Coins, Ancient to Modern Times, On Loan to the Cleveland Museum of Art from the Norweb Collection . [Catalog. 1968. p. 59
- Museum classification
- Coins
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Research required
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: this record describes a single museum object; confirm the wider coin type and standard catalogue references against numismatic literature.