The 1690 William & Mary Silver Penny presents collectors with a rare opportunity to acquire a striking memento from the Glorious Revolution, a period that witnessed the only joint monarchy in English history. This silver penny, issued during the brief but extraordinary reign of William III and Mary II, epitomises the artistry and historical significance of late Stuart coinage.
A coin of remarkable preservation, graded Mint State 64, it features the conjoined busts of William and Mary facing right, elegantly engraved and set within a finely detailed toothed border. The Latin legend “GVLIELMVS. ET. MARIA. D.G.” proclaims their joint sovereignty by the grace of God. On the reverse, a crowned numeral “1” sits above the date, with “MAG. BR. FR. ET. HIB. REX. ET. REGINA” confirming their authority over England, Scotland, France, and Ireland.
This penny is a delicate but enduring survivor of its era, struck in sterling silver to uphold England’s longstanding numismatic traditions. It was produced at the Tower of London Mint, distributed as both currency and as royal gifts, and remains highly prized as an authentic artefact of regal ceremony and religious tradition.
Few examples remain in such a remarkable state of preservation. Most have been lost, melted, or heavily worn through circulation. This piece, preserved for centuries, testifies not only to the mastery of the Royal Mint’s engravers but also to the political transformations that shaped constitutional monarchy and the course of Britain’s modern history. A numismatic treasure from a defining royal partnership, the 1690 Silver Penny endures as a link to an extraordinary sovereign moment.
Specification
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Denomination | Penny |
| Alloy | .925 Sterling Silver |
| Weight | 0.50 g |
| Diameter | 12.00mm |
| Quality | Circulating |
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Year | 1690 |
| Pure Metal Type | Silver |