Accordingly, special coinage was struck at Kilkenny, Bandon, Kinsale, Youghal, and Cork, whilst Lord Inchquin and the Marquis of Ormond minted money which was popularly named after them. The Inchquin coins possess no claims to beauty nor even good workmanship, but the Ormond money is certainly bold in design and fair in construction.
Another interesting case of war money being coined arose out of the appearance of James II in Ireland during the early part of the year 1688. James had previously issued a patent for minting money to Sir John Knox, but on arriving in Ireland he seized the latter's coining apparatus and set up his own mints in Dublin and Limerick. A most interesting proclamation which he published in the year 1689 explained the measures he proposed to adopt for debasing the coinage; we give it in extenso:—
"Whereas, for remedy of the present scarcity of money in this our kingdom, and that our standing forces may be the better paid and subsisted, and that our subjects of this realm may be the better enabled to pay and discharge the taxes, excise, customs, rents, and other debts and duties, which are or shall be hereafter payable to us: we have ordered a certain quantity of copper and brass money to be coyned to pass currant in this our kingdom during our pleasure, in six penny pieces: each piece having on one side the effigies or figure of our head, with this inscription round Jacobus II dei gratia, and upon the other side, the stamp or impression of cross-sceptres and a crown between J.R. with VI above, the month wherein they are coyned below, with this inscription round, MAG. BRIT. FRAN. & HIBER. REX. 1689, and fringed round, each of the said pieces to be of the metal of copper and brass; all which pieces of money we have thought fit, by the advice of our privy council, to make currant money within this our kingdom. We do therefore hereby publish and declare, by the advice aforesaid, that the said pieces of copper and brass coyned, or hereafter to be coyned by our said order marked and stampt as aforesaid, shall pass during our pleasure, as currant money amongst all our subjects within our realm, and in all payments to be made either to us, or from us, or to or from any of our subjects within this kingdom, according to the rates following: that is to say, each of the said pieces called six penny pieces, marked and stamped as aforesaid, to pass for six pence: the said pieces to pass at the rates aforesaid, for the interest which hereafter shall fall due for such mortgages and debts due by records, bills, bonds, or obligations, and likewise for any of the said principal debts so secured where the debtor or his goods are, or shall be taken in execution for the same, and we do hereby strictly charge and command all and every of our subjects of this kingdome to take and receive in all payments to be made to them (excepting as aforesaid) the said pieces of money according to the rates aforesaid, hereby declaring that such of our subjects within this kingdom as shall refuse the said pieces of copper and brass money at the rates aforesaid (excepting as aforesaid) being tendered to them for payment, shall be punished according to the utmost rigour of the law, as contemners of our royal prerogative and command. Provided always, that this our proclamation shall not be construed, to oblige any merchant or merchants, importing any goods into this kingdom, to receive upon the first sale of such goods so imported, any of the said copper or brass money: And whereas we have caused the said copper and brass money to be made currant money for present necessity, and therefore do not intend that the same shall continue for any long time. We do, by this our royal proclamation, promise and engage to all our subjects here that as soon as the said money shall be decried and made null, that we shall thereupon receive from all and every our subjects within this kingdom such proportion of the said money as shall be, and remain in their respective hands at the time the same shall be so decried and made null: and at the same time either allow for the same to them the value thereof, at the rates aforesaid, out of what rent, duties or debts, they respectively shall owe to us, or to make them full satisfaction for the same according to the rates aforesaid, in gold or silver of the currant coyne of this kingdom. Given at our court, at Dublin-castle, the eighteenth day of June, 1689, and in the fifth year of our reign.
BY THE KING
GUN MONEY OF JAMES II.
9. Shilling—10. Shilling—11. Half-crown—12. Half-crown—13. Half-crown—14. Crown—15. Crown—16. Limerick farthing)
A certain amount of trouble was, of course, experienced by the King in obtaining sufficient supplies of metal to meet his somewhat rapacious lust for coining. After his own stores were exhausted he cast around for additional supplies and the following candid letter reveals his method of procedure:—
"Our will and pleasure is, that you forthwith deliver to the commissioners of the mint those two brass canons now lying in the court of this our castle marked etc. weighing etc. and for soe doeing this shall be your warrant. Given at our court at Dublin-castle, this eleventh day of July, 1689, and in the fifth year of our reign.
To our trusty and wel-beloved
cozen and counsellor Justin Lord
Viscount Mount Cashel, master general
of our ordnance."