James II 1685-1688AD Gold Touchpiece

James II 1685-1688AD Gold Touchpiece

19mm, 2.10g

SOLI DEO GLORIA, Archangel Michael spearing dragon / IACO II D G M B FR ET HI REX, Royal ship sailing left. The “touching” was a common practice in Britain during medieval times, characterized as a test of royal legitimacy, where the King would hang symbolically holed coins (now talismans) about the neck of the infirmed, in order to cure illnesses such as the Scrofula disease. The Angel was the coin of choice due to it’s representation of the defeat of the dragon, a symbol of Evil, associated with disease. With sole ceremonial purpose, the Touch Piece was designed to replace the gold Angels, preserving the Archangel design, but adding the Royal Ship on the reverse, in allusion to the monarch. The practice lasted for centuries, Queen Anne being the last monarch to “Touch” in England. A high grade example of the touch piece.

Provenance will be provided.