Gun money

Gun money (Irish: airgead gunna)[1][2] was an issue of coins made by the forces of James II during the Williamite War in Ireland between 1689 and 1691.

They were minted in base metal (copper, brass or pewter), and were designed to be redeemed for silver coins following a victory by James II and consequently bore the date in months to allow a gradual replacement.

As James lost the war, that replacement never took place, although the coins were allowed to circulate at much reduced values before the copper coinage was resumed.

This was so that after the war (in the event of James' victory), soldiers would be able to claim interest on their wages, which had been withheld from proper payment for so long.

Specimen strikings were produced in silver and gold for most months, and these tend to be extremely rare.