POST MEDIEVAL PENDANT

1694

It is a silver sixpence of King William III, dated 1697, which has been converted into a pendant by the addition of a suspension loop. The coin will be of the silver currency standard, i.e. sterling (92.5% fine metal). Its weight is 2.9g, with the loop.The suspension loop has been placed so that the king's portrait is upright, so this was presumably meant to be the side on view. It appears, therefore, that some sort of commemoration of William III was intended. The coin is somewhat worn, however, and it looks as though it had seen a degree of circulation before its conversion into a pendant. A possible context is the creation of movements during the 18th century in reaction and opposition to the Jacobite clubs that supported the exiled Stuarts, to promote loyalty to the legacy of the Glorious Revolution. Though nowadays less well-known than Jacobite activities, Revolution Clubs and Williamite dinners were relatively common phenomena. This is, of course, speculative.Obv: GVLILLMVS III ..GRA; Bust right.Rev: 16..MAG BR FR ET HIB REX; Crowned cruciform shields.