Description

Charles I. 1625-1649. Silver Medal 1641, 101.66 g. Marriage of Princess Mary to William of Orange. By J. Blum. Standing figures of William and Mary facing each other, their hands clasped; a cherub over each, holding a wreath. Beyond, a distant view of a palace. Behind Mary an inscription: Albionum genuit Rex me summusque Monarcha Carolus, et Sponsam me Jubet esse Tuam. Behind William another inscription: Princeps me Henricus genuit fortissimus heros Nasouiæ, et Sponsum me Jubet esse tuum. In exergue: Londini desponsati Wilhelm ' et Maria, Ano 1641. 12 Maj. Rv. Pallas receiving an olive-branch from Peace. Bellonam Princeps Pallas Pedibus Terit, et Pax Floret, et Alma Ceres, Confert Sacro Alite Fruges. In exergue: Noui Imperii Auspicio Bono. J. Blum Fe. Plain edge. 72.1 mm. Eimer 137. MI i 287/100. van Loon II, 251,2. Saunders/Vanhoudt 1641-3. Gutes vorzüglich / About Uncirculated. Feine Patina / Nicely toned. Leicht berieben / Lightly polished.

From the auction Münzenhandlung Heinrich Winter 50, Dusseldorf, November 1985, lot 4201.

Mary, Princess Royal (4 November 1631 - 24 December 1660), was a British princess, a member of the House of Stuart, and by marriage Princess of Orange and Countess of Nassau. She acted as regent for her minor son from 1651 to 1660. She was the first holder of the title Princess Royal.

On 10 February 1641, Charles I announced to Parliament that the betrothal of his nine year old daughter had been arranged and that it only remained to consider this union from a political point of view. Charles himself hoped that in case of emergency, the Prince of Orange would help him to maintain royal power in England. A modest wedding ceremony took place on 2 May 1641 at the Chapel Royal in Whitehall Palace, London.