Catalog - SINCONA Auction 96

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Charles II. 1660-1685. Silver Medal 1671, 28.83 g. Kuranttaler. John George II of Saxony, Appointed Knight of the Garter. Unsigned. St. George slaying the Dragon. EN HONNEUR DU SOUVERAIN DU TRES NOBLE ORDRE DE LA IARTIERE. Rv. Within wreath: DU TRÉ HAUT TRÉ PUISSANT ET TRES EXCELLENT PRINCE CHARLES . II . PAR LA GRACE DE DIEU ROY DE LA GRANDE BRETAG : FRAN : ET IRLANDE DEFENSEUR DE LA FOY M . D . C . LXXI. Plain edge. 48.3 mm. Eimer 246. MI i 548/205. Clauss/Kahnt 530. Dav. 7633. Fast vorzüglich / About Extremely Fine.

From the auction Giessener Münzhandlung 116, Munich, May 2002, lot 3733.

This medal was struck at Dresden to commemorate the installation of John George II, Elector of Saxony, as a Knight of the Garter, at Windsor on 29 May 1671. John George II (31 May 1613 - 22 August 1680) was the Elector of Saxony from 1656 to 1680. He belonged to the Albertine branch of the House of Wettin.

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Charles II. 1660-1685. Silver Medal 1671, 35.21 g. Charles XI of Sweden, appointed Knight of the Garter. Unsigned, by J. Roettier. St. George slaying the Dragon. CAROLVS . XI . REX . SVE . EQ . NOB . ORD . PERISC . INAVG. In exergue: 29. MAII . 1671. Rv. Star of the Order in the centre, Garter around, decorated with two crowns and two pairs of interlinked Cs, and the Collar of the Order. CONCORDIA . REGVM . SALVS . POPVLORVM. Plain edge. 43.4 mm. Eimer 247. MI i 549/206. Delzanno 34b. Vorzüglich / Extremely Fine. Herrliche Patina / Most attractively toned. Kleine Randfehler / Minor edge flaws.

From the auction Spink USA 9800, New York, December 2001, lot 32.

In consequence of the support given by Sweden to England and Holland in their effort to stay the ambitious attempts of France in the Spanish Netherlands, Charles II. conferred the Order of the Garter upon Charles XI on 19 June 1668. This medal was struck in Sweden in the next year by the King of Sweden in honour of this compliment.

The installation of the King of Sweden did not take place before the 29 May 1671, and to commemorate this ceremony his Majesty ordered these medals to be struck in gold and silver. The gold issues were bestowed upon the Knights companions present and other persons of quality. Those in silver were distributed among some of the officers attending the installation and others. (Ashmole, p. 455.)

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Charles II. 1660-1685. Silver Medal 1672, 98.82 g. Duke of Lauderdale. By J. Roettier. Bust of John Maitland, Second Earl and First Duke of Lauderdale (1616-1682), armoured and draped. Rv. Minerva seated, beside a Scottish armorial shield within the Garter, supports a ducal crest in her left hand. CONSILIO . ET . ANIMIS. In exergue: 1672. Plain edge. 62.9 mm. Eimer 248. MI i 550/208. Vorzüglich / Extremely Fine. Feine Patina, Felder leicht berieben, üblicher Stempelfehler / Nicely toned, fields slightly polished, usual die flaw.

Purchased from Spink Numismatic Circular, London, May 1995, lot 3920.

John Maitland, 1st Duke of Lauderdale (24 May 1616 - 24 August 1682) was a Scottish statesman and peer. Just before the restoration, he joined Charles II in May 1660 at Breda in the Netherlands. On 2 May 1672, he was acclaimed Duke of Lauderdale and Earl of March, and on 3 June 1672 Knight of the Garter.

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Charles II. 1660-1685. Silver Medal n. d. (1672), 26.50 g. William III of Orange, Appointed Knight of the Garter. Unsigned. William on horseback holding sceptre and reins. WILHELMVS III : D : G . PRINC : AVR : C : NAS. Rv. Crowned coat-of-arms. Garter with inscription: MAL Y PENSE HONI SOIT QVI. Plain edge. 37.8 mm. Eimer -. MI i 552/211. van Loon III, 47,1. Saunders/Vanhoudt 1672-2. Fast FDC / About Mint State. Prachtvolle Erhaltung mit herrlicher Patina / Beautiful condition with magnificent patina.

From the auction Künker 35, Osnabrück, March 1997, lot 5396.

William III (4 November 1650 - 8 March 1702), also known as William of Orange, was the sovereign Prince of Orange from birth, Stadtholder of Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel in the Dutch Republic from 1672, and King of England, Ireland, and Scotland from 1689 until his death in 1702. He ruled Great Britain and Ireland with his wife, Queen Mary II, and their joint reign is known as that of William and Mary.

In contravention to the Perpetual Edict passed in 1667 which disallowed any one chosen Captain or Admiral-General to be nominated to or to remain in the office of Stadtholder of one or more Provinces the States of Holland and Zealand, conferred in July 1672 on William the dignity of Stadtholder, Captain and Admiral-General of these Provinces. William was elected a Knight of the Garter in 1653.

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Charles II. 1660-1685. Silver Medal n. d. (1673), 94.53 g. Liberty of Conscience. By P. Roettier. Bust, armoured and draped. OPTIMO . PRINCIPI . CAROLO . II . D . G . M . BRIT . FRAN . ET . HIB . REGI. Rv. Female figure of LIBERTAS seated, holding a book with inscription: FIDES, and sword and cornucopia. FIDEI . DEFENSORI RELIGIONIS . REFORMATÆ . PROTECTORI. Edge: ARCHITECTVRÆ NAVALIS ET MONETÆ INSTAVRATORI. 59.1 mm. Eimer 249. MI i 553/214. Sehr schön-vorzüglich / Very Fine-Extremely Fine. Kleine Kratzer / Small scratches.

The Declaration of Indulgence was Charles II of England's attempt to extend religious liberty to Protestant nonconformists and Roman Catholics in his realms, by suspending the execution of the Penal Laws that punished recusants from the Church of England. Charles issued the Declaration on 15 March 1672.
However, the English Parliament forced him to withdraw it in 1673.

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Charles II. 1660-1685. Silver Medal 1673, 147.90 g. Christ's Hospital. Unsigned, by J. Roettier. Bust, armoured and draped. CAROLVS . SECVNDVS . D . G . MAG . BRI . FRAN . ET . HIB . REX. Rv. Standing figure of Arithmetic, together with Geometry and Astronomy, encourages a Bluecoat boy, to whom she displays an inscribed tablet; beyond fleet under sail assisted by Zephyrs. INSTITVTOR . AVGVSTVS . 1673. Plain edge. 71.2 mm. Eimer 251. MI i 556/217. Selten / Rare. Vorzüglich / Extremely Fine. Feine Patina / Nicely toned.

Christ's Hospital is a private school (English fee-charging boarding school for pupils aged 11 - 18) with a royal charter, located to the south of Horsham in West Sussex. The school was founded in 1552 and the royal charter was granted in 1553. Since its establishment, Christ's Hospital has been a charity school, with a core aim to offer children from disadvantaged backgrounds the chance of a better education.

Christ's Hospital was given its second Royal charter by Charles II in 1673. This laid base for the Royal Mathematical School, the original purpose of which was to train mathematicians and navigators who would serve as naval officers and merchant seafarers.

The dies of this medal are kept in the British Museum.

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Charles II. 1660-1685. Silver Medal n. d. (1673), 47.73 g. Christ's Hospital, Mathematical Medal. Unsigned, by J. Roettier. Two mathematical diagrams. A PENTAGONO AD LINEAM RECTAM INTRORSVM. and below PRO QUADRATO. Rv. An mathematical diagram. A QUADRATO AD LINEAM RECTAM. and below EXTRORSVM. Plain edge. 56.2 mm. Eimer -. MI i 559/222. Gutes sehr schön / Good Very Fine. Kratzer / Scratches.

From the auction Peus 387, Frankfurt a. M., April 2006, lot 2144.

Christ's Hospital is a private school (English fee-charging boarding school for pupils aged 11 - 18) with a royal charter, located to the south of Horsham in West Sussex. The school was founded in 1552 and the royal charter was granted in 1553. Since its establishment, Christ's Hospital has been a charity school, with a core aim to offer children from disadvantaged backgrounds the chance of a better education.

Christ's Hospital was given its second Royal charter by Charles II in 1673. This laid base for the Royal Mathematical School, the original purpose of which was to train mathematicians and navigators who would serve as naval officers and merchant seafarers.

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Charles II. 1660-1685. Silver Medal 1674, 70.51 g. Peace with Holland. Concluded in London. Unsigned, probably by C. Adolfszoon. Equestrian figure of William III of Orange; beyond troops storming a town. Above an orange branch interlaced with a ribbon with inscription: VIRES ULTRA SORTEM QUE IUVENTÆ. Rv. Dove, an olive-branch in its beak, flying over a tranquil sea. A DOMINO VENIT PAX ET VICTORIA LÆTA. Plain edge. 60.9 mm. Eimer 253. MI i 561/225. von Loon III, 131. Saunders/Vanhoudt 1673-22. Vorzüglich / Extremely Fine. Prachtvolle Erhaltung mit hübscher Patina / Beautiful condition with nice toning.

From the auction Giessener Münzhandlung 116, Munich, May 2002, lot 3803.

The Treaty of Westminster of 1674 was the peace treaty that ended the Third Anglo-Dutch War. Signed by the Dutch Republic and the Kingdom of England, the treaty provided for the return of the colony of New Netherland (now New York) to England and renewed the Treaty of Breda of 1667. The treaty also provided for a mixed commission for the regulation of commerce, particularly in the East Indies.

This medal is a memorial issue by private friends of Captain van Gelder who was son-in-law to Admiral De Ruyter, Commander-in-Chief in this engagement and the father, mentioned on the medal, who won the fight. John van Gelder, at the advice of De Ruyter, entered the navy and was appointed Captain in 1667. He was present at the attack on the ships at Chatham, and was killed in combat off Kijkduin, 21 August 1673.

This medal has been struck in Holland.

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Charles II. 1660-1685. Silver Medal n. d. (1677), 28.98 g. Marriage of Mary to William III of Orange. Unsigned, by N. Chevalier. Bust, armoured and draped. GVILH . III . D. G . PRIN . AVR . HOL . ET . WES . GV. Rv. Bust, hair braided with pearls and draped. MARIA . D . G . AVR . PRIN . NAT . DE . IORC. Plain edge. 41.8 mm. Eimer 256. MI i 568/235. van Loon III, 222,1. Saunders/Vanhoudt 1677-33. Vorzüglich / Extremely Fine. Feine Patina und kleine Randfehler / Nicely toned and minor edge flaws.

From the auction Künker 35, Osnabrück, March 1997, lot 5397.

During the war with France in 1677, William III of Orange tried to improve his position by marrying his first cousin Mary, elder surviving daughter of the Duke of York, later King James II of England (James VII of Scotland). Mary was eleven years his junior, but William believed that marrying Mary would increase his chances of succeeding to Charles's kingdoms and that it would draw England's monarch away from his pro-French policies.

Mary was fifteen when she became betrothed to her cousin. When James told Mary that she was to marry her cousin, she reportedly "wept all that afternoon and all the following day".

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Charles II. 1660-1685. Silver Medal 1678, 23.38 g. Feinsilbertaler. John George II of Saxony, Appointed Knight of the Garter. Unsigned. St. George slaying the Dragon. EN HONNEUR DU SOUVERAIN DU TRES NOBLE ORDRE DE LA IARTIERE. Rv. In wreath: DU TRÉ HAUT TRÉ PUISSANT ET TRES EXCELLENT PRINCE CHARLES . II . PAR LA GRACE DE DIEU ROY DE LA GRANDE BRETAG : FRAN : ET IRLANDE DEFENSEUR DE LA FOY M . D . C . LXXVIII. Plain edge. 48.6 mm. Eimer 246 var. MI i 572/242. Clauss/Kahnt 531. Dav. 7633. Fast vorzüglich / About Extremely Fine. Feine Patina / Nicely toned.

From the auction Erwin Dietrich AG 3, Zurich, April 1991, lot 645.

This piece differs slightly from the Thaler 1671 (MI ii 205/548), except in the date 1678, in which year on 23 April, St. George's Day, a grand festival in honour of the Order of the Garter was held at Dresden, for which occasion this medal was struck.

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Charles II. 1660-1685. Silver Medal 1678, 26.18 g. Murder of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey. Unsigned, by G. Bower. Bust draped, being strangled with his own cravat by two hands. MORIENDO . RESTITVIT . REM . E . GODFREY. Rv. A prostrate figure being strangled by a man leaning over him; the scene blessed by a papal figure holding a papal bull with BVLLO written on it. TANTVM . RELLIGIO . POTVIT. Edge: CERVICE . FRACTA . FIDEM . SVSTVLIT . ATLAS . XNS . 1678. 39.1 mm. Eimer 257. MI i 577/247. Sehr schön-vorzüglich / Very Fine-Extremely Fine. Feine Patina / Nicely toned. Kleine Randfehler und Kratzer / Small edge nicks and scratches.

Purchased from S & B, Great Missenden, November 1998, lot M130.

Sir Edmund Berry Godfrey (23 December 1621 - 12 October 1678) was an English magistrate whose mysterious death caused anti-Catholic uproar in England. Contemporary documents also spell the name Edmundbury Godfrey.

The inscription on the edge compares Godfrey to Atlas who required his whole vigour and strength to sustain the world while Godfrey sustained the true faith with a broken neck.

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Charles II. 1660-1685. Silver Medal 1678, 27.44 g. Murder of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey. Unsigned, by G. Bower. Bust draped, being strangled with his own cravat by two hands. MORIENDO . RESTITVIT . REM . E . GODFREY. Rv. Heads of Pope and Devil joined to form one face. ECCLESIA . PERVERSA . TENET . FACIEM . DIABOLI. Edge: CERVICE . FRACTA . FIDEM . SVSTVLIT . ATLAS . XNS . 1678. 37.7 mm. Eimer 259. MI i 578/250. Gutes sehr schön / Good Very Fine.

From the auction Spink USA 9800, New York, December 2001, lot 38.

Sir Edmund Berry Godfrey (23 December 1621 - 12 October 1678) was an English magistrate whose mysterious death caused anti-Catholic uproar in England. Contemporary documents also spell the name Edmundbury Godfrey.

The design of the reverse is copied from medals which were very common at the time of the Reformation and of which the object was the same, to satirize and ridicule the followers of the Pope. The Popish Plot and the death of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey contributed to excite determined hostility to the Papal power and influence.

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Charles II. 1660-1685. Silver Medal 1680, 53.01 g. Duke and Duchess of York. By G. Bower. Bust of the Duke of York, armoured and draped. IACOBVS . DVX . EBORACENSIS . Below: G. B. F. Rv. Bust of Duchess of York, in gown and mantle. MARIA . DVCISSA . EBORACENSIS . 1680. Plain edge. 51.8 mm. Eimer -. MI i 581/256. Vorzüglich / Extremely Fine. Kleiner Schrötlingsfehler / Minor flan flaw.

In 1680, James Stuart and his second wife, Mary of Modena, were the Duke and Duchess of York. Mary was just fifteen years old when she married James in 1673. She died in France in 1718.

They were central figures in the political and religious turmoil of the time. Their Catholicism and James's position as heir to the throne made them symbols of the broader struggle over the future of the English monarchy and the role of religion in governance.

James would eventually become king in 1685 after Charles II's death, but his reign was short-lived. He was overthrown in the Glorious Revolution of 1688, largely due to fears of a Catholic dynasty following the birth of his son with Mary.

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Charles II. 1660-1685. Silver Medal 1681, 27.61 g. Earl of Shaftesbury, Acquittal of High Treason. By G. Bower. Bust draped. ANTONIO COMITI DE SHAFTESBVRY. On truncation: G B. F. Rv. View of London and the Tower seen from the south bank of Thames; above sun piercing clouds. LÆTAMVR. In exergue: 24 NOV 1681. Plain edge. 40.8 mm. Eimer 261. MI i 583/259. Vorzüglich / Extremely Fine. Leicht gereinigt / Lightly cleaned.

Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury (22 July 1621 - 21 January 1683), was an English statesman and philanthropist. He held senior political office under both the Commonwealth of England and Charles II, serving as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1661 to 1672 and Lord Chancellor from 1672 to 1673.

During the Exclusion Crisis, Shaftesbury headed the movement to bar the Catholic heir, James II, from the royal succession, which is often seen as the origin of the Whig party. He was also a patron of the political philosopher John Locke, with whom Shaftesbury collaborated with in writing the Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina in 1669.

His sponsorship of the Exclusion Bill in 1679 led to two years of political struggle, but ultimately ended in defeat. During the subsequent Tory reaction in 1681, Shaftesbury was arrested for high treason, a prosecution dropped several months later. Fearing re-arrest and execution, in 1682 he went into exile in Amsterdam, where he died in January 1683.

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Charles II. 1660-1685. Gold Medal n. d. (1683), 113.15 g. "Royal Medal", Presentation or Award Medal. By J. Roettier. Bust, armoured and draped. CAROL . II . D . G . ANGL . SCOT . FRAN . ET . HIB . REX. Rv. Royal arms within the Garter, supporters and crest. In exergue: DIEV . ET . MON . DROIT. Plain edge. 53.6 mm. Eimer 267. MI i 595/277. Von grösster Seltenheit. Einziges bekanntes Exemplar / Of the highest rarity. The only known specimen. Gutes vorzüglich / About Uncirculated. Kleine Prüfspur am Rand / Small test mark on edge.

From Spink Numismatic Circular, London, November 2005, lot CM0958.
From the Montagu collection, auction Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, London. May 1897, lot 375.

This medal is beautifully executed. It is without date which in this case is perhaps irrelevant as it does not record any particular event. This piece is described in the list of medals by Roettier (Stuart Papers, Windsor), but it is not stated why it was struck. It is probable that it was intended for distribution as presents by the King.

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Charles II. 1660-1685. Silver Medal n. d. (1683), 65.58 g. "Royal Medal", Presentation or Award Medal. By J. Roettier. Bust, armoured and draped. CAROL . II . D . G . ANGL . SCOT . FRAN . ET . HIB . REX. Rv. Royal arms within the Garter, supporters and crest. In exergue: DIEV . ET . MON . DROIT. Plain edge. 53.5 mm. Eimer 267. MI i 595/277. Vorzüglich / Extremely Fine.

From the Garrett collection, auction Bank Leu AG and Numismatic Fine Arts Inc. Part II, Zurich, October 1984, lot 1062.

@#@#@#@#This medal is beautifully executed. It is without date which in this case is perhaps immaterial as it does not record any particular event. This piece is described in the list of medals by Roettier (Stuart Papers, Windsor), but it is not stated why it was struck. It is probable that it was intended for distribution as presents by the King.@#@#@#@#

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James II. 1685-1688. Gold Medal n. d. (1685), 21.63 g. Coronation of Mary of Modena. By J. Roettier. Bust laureate and draped. MARIA . D . G . ANG . SCO . FR . ET . REGINA. Rv. The Queen seated upon a mound. O . DEA . CERTE. Plain edge. 34.2 mm. Eimer 274. MI i 606/7. van Loon III 303,2. Saunders/Vanhoudt 1685-6. Selten / Rare. Sehr schön / Very Fine.

Purchased from Schweizerischer Bankverein, Basel, January 1989.

The coronation of James II and VII, and his wife Mary of Modena, as King and Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland was held on 23 April 1685 at Westminster Abbey. James and Mary were the last British monarchs to be Catholics, despite the Protestant Church of England being the established church. Accordingly, the service was reordered to omit the Anglican Communion Service, the only time that a British coronation has been conducted without one.

The truncated text of the coronation liturgy, which was prepared for the service, provided the model for future coronations into the 20th century. James was also the first monarch since the Union of the Crowns not to have a coronation in Scotland, and the first English monarch since the 14th century not to plan a royal entry procession through London. These and other innovations set long-standing precedents for future British coronations.

This was the medal officially distributed amongst the spectators at the coronation.

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James II. 1685-1688. Silver Medal n. d. (1685), 15.08 g. Coronation of Mary of Modena. By J. Roettier. Bust laureate and draped. MARIA . D . G . ANG . SCO . FR . ET . REGINA. Rv. The Queen seated upon a mound. O . DEA . CERTE. Plain edge. 34.9 mm. Eimer 274. MI i 606/7. van Loon III 303,2. Saunders/Vanhoudt 1685-6. Vorzüglich / Extremely Fine. Feine Patina / Nicely toned.

Purchased from Seaby Coin & Medal Bulletin, London, June 1989, lot M141.

The coronation of James II and VII, and his wife Mary of Modena, as King and Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland was held on 23 April 1685 at Westminster Abbey. James and Mary were the last British monarchs to be Catholics, despite the Protestant Church of England being the established church. Accordingly, the service was reordered to omit the Anglican Communion Service, the only time that a British coronation has been conducted without one.

The truncated text of the coronation liturgy, which was prepared for the service, provided the model for future coronations into the 20th century. James was also the first monarch since the Union of the Crowns not to have a coronation in Scotland, and the first English monarch since the 14th century not to plan a royal entry procession through London. These and other innovations set long-standing precedents for future British coronations.

This was the medal officially distributed amongst the spectators at the coronation.

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James II. 1685-1688. Silver Medal n. d. (c. 1685), 9.81 g. James II and Mary of Modena. Unsigned. Bust of James II, laureate. IACOBVS . II . D . G . MAG . BRI . FRAN . ET . HIB . REX. Rv. Bust of Mary, gown and mantle around the bust. MARIA . D . G . MAG . BRI . FRAN . ET . HIB . REGI. Plain edge. 28.3 mm. Eimer -. MI i 608/13. van Loon III, 303,3. Saunders/Vanhoudt 1685-7. Sehr schön / Very Fine.

Purchased from S & B, Great Missenden, May 1997, lot M62.

Married on 20 September 1673, James II, an avowed Roman Catholic, was twenty-five years older than his bride, scarred by smallpox and afflicted with a stammer, and Mary of Modena reigned from 1685 onwards as catholic monarchs over a protestant country. This created several tensions between court and country (including two rebellions) which ultimately led to the Glorious Revolution of late 1688.