5 Shillings - William and Mary

William and Mary ruled Scotland, England, and Ireland simultaneously following the Glorious Revolution of 1688, but the Scottish mint operated independently of the London and provincial English mints, producing its own coinage with distinct weight and fineness standards. This piece dates to the final year of Mary II's life — she died of smallpox in December 1694 — after which William continued to rule alone, and the joint-portrait coinage of Scotland ceased entirely. The 1694 Scottish issues consequently represent the last opportunity to strike coins under the dual authority.