Gunmoney Shilling

In the midst of James II's 1689 siege of Derry, these shillings were struck from recycled gunmetal and whatever scrap metal his forces could melt down on the spot. That included brass from cannons and even old coins, making each piece a hasty improvisation rather than a proper minting.

The coins bear dates for 1689 and 1690, but production was chaotic, with irregular sizes and weights that reflect the urgency of war. They circulated as emergency currency to pay troops, though their value plummeted once William of Orange took control. Exact numbers minted remain unknown, lost in the fog of old records and battles.

One thing's for sure: trying to authenticate these can be as unpredictable as the Irish weather.