OBVERSE:

Conjoined busts of William and Mary in Roman style, with William’s head uppermost, both facing right; surrounded by a Latin legend. Legend: GVLIELMVS·ET·MARIA·DEI·GRATIA, meaning ‘William and Mary by the Grace of God’.

REVERSE:

Large crowned quartered shield with scallop frame; the crown divides the date; surrounded by a Latin legend. Legend: MAG·BR·FR·ET·HIB·REX·ET·REGINA· 16 91· which reads ‘Magna Britannia Francia et Hibernia Rex et Regina 1691’, meaning ‘King and Queen of Great Britain, France and Ireland 1691’.

EDGE:

In raised lettering in Latin, ·DECVS·ET·TVTAMEN· ANNO·REGNI·TERTIO· The f irst part, ·DECVS·ET· TVTAMEN·, means ‘an ornament and a safeguard’ and was used as a warning against ‘clipping’, the practice of cutting small pieces from the coin;1 the second part, ANNO·REGNI·TERTIO·, means ‘third regnal year’, that is, 1691.