Token - Clarior E. Tenebris Prince James Jacobite Token

Reverse

Sea shore and above the calm sea a partial solar eclipse is visible. Legend around

Script: Latin

Lettering:
CLARIOR E TENEBRIS
1697

Translation: From darkness to the light (Brighter from the obscurity}

Edge

Plain

Comment

Advocates of Prince James issued several tokens supporting the Stuart cause. The then nine years old prince on the obverse, to emphasize the ‘continuation of the line’, rather than his father James II who was still alive at the time. The chances that a Stuart regained the throne disappeared by the Treaty of Ryswick, the prince had never resigned the throne, and he got the name "The Old Pretender" among people.
Initials below bust N. R. means the medalist Norbert Roettier. Norbert and his father John, who was also an engraver worked in the Tower mint in the beginning and middle of 1690's when the elder Roettier was suspected by treasonable practices.
The reverse of the token issued in 1697 displays a sea shore and above the calm sea a partial solar eclipse is visible. Legend around: "CLARIOR E TENEBRIS", means from darkness to the light, indicates the exaggerated expectation of supporters of king James in that they would have finally disappointed. The reverse harmonizes to the legend, depicts the return of the Sun after the darkness, the eclipse.
http://astrocoins.mrcollector.eu/index.php/english-menu-1/solar-system/solar-eclipses/19-eclipse-of-treaty-of-ryswick-1697