Description

Charles II. 1660-1685. Silver Medal 1662, 38.81 g. Marriage of Charles II to Catherine of Braganza. Unsigned, by J. Roettier. Bust, laureate and draped. CAROLVS . II . DEI . G . MAG . BRI . FRAN . ET . HIB . REX. Rv. Bust, draped and hair decorated with pearls. CATHARINA . D . G . MAG . BRI . FRAN . ET . HIBER . REGINA. Plain edge. 43.3 mm. Eimer 224. MI i 489/111. van Loon 471,1. Saunders/Vanhoudt 1661-3. Vorzüglich / Extremely Fine. Feine Patina, kleine Randfehler / Nicely toned, small edge flaws.

From the auction Spink Coin Auctions 36, London, May 1986, lot 1110.

Catherine of Braganza (25 November 1638 - 31 December 1705) was Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland during her marriage to King Charles II, which lasted from 21 May 1662 until his death on 6 February 1685. She was the daughter of John IV of Portugal, who became the first king from the House of Braganza in 1640, after overthrowing the 60-year rule of the Spanish Habsburgs over Portugal. Catherine served as the regent of Portugal during the absence of her brother Peter II in 1701, and again in 1704-1705, after her return to her homeland as a widow.
Her dowry included Tangier, Bombay, full trading privileges for England in the Indies and a very large sum of money for the impoverished Charles II.