Description

Charles II. 1660-1685. Silver Medal 1662, 38.89 g. Marriage of Charles II to Catherine of Braganza. Unsigned. Bust of Catherine with gown and mantle over the shoulder. CATHARINA . D . G . MAG . BRI . FRAN . ET . HIB . REGINA. Rv. St. Catherine resting on a sword and holding up a palm branch. PIETATE INSIGNIS. Plain edge. 43.3 mm. Eimer -. MI i 490/112. Selten / Rare. Gutes sehr schön / Good Very Fine. Kleiner Stempelriss / Small die crack.

From the auction Hess Divo 283, Zurich, May 2000, lot 399.

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.