This worn milled copper alloy halfpenny of William iii and Mary ii was discovered in the Surrey Hills, close to an old bridleway. The coin is dated to 1694, near the end of their joint reign (1689–1694).
William of Orange and his wife Mary II came to the throne following the Glorious Revolution of 1688, which deposed Mary’s father, James II. Their reign marked the beginning of constitutional monarchy in Britain, with Parliament gaining greater power over royal authority.
The halfpenny was a small but important denomination in everyday life, circulating widely among labourers, tradesmen and travellers. By the late 17th century, English coinage was produced by milling machines rather than by hammering, giving coins a more regular, circular shape with milled edges that helped prevent clipping and forgery.
Finding this coin along a historic route is fitting, as it may once have been lost by someone travelling through the Surrey countryside more than 300 years ago. Though heavily worn, it serves as a tangible reminder of a turning point in England’s political and social history and of the people who moved along these bridleways in their daily lives.
0 Comments