SELECTED CORONATION MEDALS

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V22 2019 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 22, Number 42, October 20, 2019, Article 19

E-Sylum sponsor Hedley Betts deals in medals. Here are a few items that caught my eye in his new offering of Coronation medals. -Editor

OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDALS OF GREAT BRITAIN The tradition of issuing official medals for the coronations of British kings and queens began in 1603 with the coronation of James I. The earliest medals were intended to be thrown among a crowd (a practice later abandoned due to unseemly scrambles to grab a medal). The practice of throwing medals into a crowd necessitated keeping medals relatively small in size (unofficial medals were typically larger). Since dies tended to break with fair frequency, new dies varying in minor details were created. Several of the examples of the medals listed here represent some of the varieties. Medals were struck in silver and gold and small numbers were struck in base metal for some of the earliest coronations. Base metal imitations of the coronation medals of George I, George II and George III were made for sale to the public.

Beginning with the coronation of George IV it became the practice to strike medals in bronze for sale to the public. Starting with the coronation of Edward VII medals were issued in two sizes. There were no official medals issued for the coronation of Elizabeth II.

1626, England. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF CHARLES I. By Nicholas Briot. Silver 30mm. OBVERSE: Bust of Charles I, crowned in a ruff, ermine robes, collar and badge of the Garter, facing right. LEGEND: CAROLVS . I . D . G . MAG . BRITAN . FRAN . ET . HIB . REX . (Charles I, by the grace of God king, of Great Britain, France and Ireland). REVERSE: An arm, extending from a cloud, holding a sword. LEGEND: DONEC . PAX . REDITTA . TERRIS. (Until peace is restored to the earth). Eimer 106, MI I 243/10, plate XX/1, Wollaston 2. Light chasing in the fields. $950

1661, England. OFFICIAL MEDAL OF THE ENGLISH CORONATION OF CHARLES II. By Thomas Simon. Gold 29mm. Obv: Crowned bust of Charles II in ermine robes, collar and George of the Garter. Legend: CAROLVS . II . D . G . ANG . SCO . FR . ET . HI . REX. (Charles II, by the grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland). Rev: Peace hovering over the enthroned king and placing a crown on his head. Legend: EVERSO . MISSVS . SVCCVRRERE . SECLO . XXIII . APR . 1661. (Sent to support a fallen age, 23 April, 1661. - based on Virgil Georgis 1.500). MI I 472/76, plate XLV/7, Eimer 219, Fearon 112.1, Wollaston 5. $6,000

1689, England. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF WILLIAM AND MARY. By John Roettier. Silver 35mm. Obv: Conjoined, draped busts, left. Leg: GVLIELMVS . ET . MARIA . REX . ET . REGINA. (William and Mary, king and queen). Rev: Jove hurling thunder at Phaeton, falling from his chariot, the earth in flames. Leg: NE TOTVS ABSVMATVR. (That is may not all be consumed). Exergue: INAVGVRAT . II . AP . 1689 (Crowned, 11 April, 1689). Variety in bold relief and varying in other minor details. Eimer 312, MI 662/5, plate LXX/10, Wollaston viii., Fearon 140. $650

Beautiful and historic pieces - nice. Check out the complete selection. -Editor

To view the complete medal selection, see:
Coronation Medals (https://www.mcssl.com/store/8596432/coronation-medals)

THE BOOK BAZARRE

RENAISSANCE OF AMERICAN COINAGE: Wizard Coin Supply is the official distributor for Roger Burdette's three volume series that won NLG Book of the Year awards for 2006, 2007 and 2008. Contact us for dealer or distributor pricing at www.WizardCoinSupply.com .