Description

George II. 1727-1760. Silver Medal 1746, 22.94 g. Battle of Culloden. By J. Kirk. Bust, three-quarters, armoured. GUL : AUG : DUX CUMBRIÆ. Rv. The Duke of Cumberland on horseback, riding over a prostrate foe having the heads of the King of France, a Bishop, and a Scot; broken sword, yoke, and chains are lying on the ground; in the distance Culloden House and the battle. PER . MAGNANIMITATEM . ET . DUCTUM. In exergue: SCO : REB : EXPVGNAVIT . PALUD . CULLODEN . 16 . AP . MDCCXLVI. Plain edge. 41.9 mm. Eimer -. MI ii 610/272. Fast FDC / About Mint State. Prachtvolle Erhaltung mit herrlicher Patina / Beautiful condition with magnificent patina.

Purchased from Spink Numismatic Circular, London, March 1996, lot 1252.

The Battle of Culloden took place on 16 April 1746, near Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. A Jacobite army under Charles Edward Stuart was decisively defeated by a British government force commanded by the Duke of Cumberland, thereby ending the Jacobite rising of 1745. It was an attempt by Charles Edward Stuart to regain the British throne for his father, James Francis Edward Stuart, and took place during the War of the Austrian Succession, when the bulk of the British Army was fighting in mainland Europe. It proved to be the last in a series of revolts that began in March 1689, with major outbreaks in 1715 and 1719.

The mitred head represents the Pope, who, with the King of France, was supposed to be deeply interested in the success of Prince Charles. Culloden House, near which the engagement took place, and on which the left of Charles's army rested, was the residence of Duncan Forbes, Charles's ablest enemy in Scotland. The Duke's right was, in his first position, protected by a morass.