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 ofJames 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 intoa 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 minordetails 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 inbase 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 wereissued in two sizes. There were no official medals issued for the coronation of Elizabeth II.

1626, OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF CHARLES I

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 theGarter, 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: Anarm, 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, OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF CHARLES II

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 theGarter. 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 overthe 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 onVirgil Georgis 1.500). MI I 472/76, plate XLV/7, Eimer 219, Fearon 112.1, Wollaston 5. $6,000

1689, CORONATION MEDAL OF WILLIAM AND MARY

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 beconsumed). 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, Wollastonviii., Fearon 140. $650

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