Description

James II. 1685-1688. Satirical Silver Medal 1688, 91.23 g. Religious State of England. Unsigned, probably by J. Schmeltzing. A pedestal with inscription: BRITANNIA. On it a dove, a chalice, wafer and rosary, and a mitre; in the centre the Bible surmounted by cap with inscription: LIBERT. Above, a hand from heaven holding a scroll with inscription C . FAGELII EPISTOLA EFFLAGITATA A I . STEWARDO 1687. LIBERTAS CONSCIENTIE HOC MONILI ORNATA. Rv. A dog wearing a rosary, about to swallow a book with M . I.; tramples upon another with L. C.; is throwing down a third with S. R. P. sealed with the seals T and P, which has been deposited upon a solid column, girt by the serpent of Eternity. RES IMMODERATA CUPIDO EST. In exergue: MDCLXXXVIII. Plain edge. 58.5 mm. Eimer -. MI i 620/35. van Loon III, 337. Saunders/Vanhoudt 1688-6. Vorzüglich / Extremely Fine. Feine Patina / Nicely toned.

From the auction Künker 50-53, Osnabrück, October 1999, lot 1986.

As a predominantly protestant country ruled by a catholic monarch, tensions between court and country were high in England in 1688. They hightened further when seven bishops, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, were arrested and tried for seditious libel after submitting a petition requesting the reconsideration of the King's religious policies.

This medal was executed in Holland, probably by Jan Smeltzing.