Great Britain Historical Medals

Lot 2687    SESSION 8 (2.30pm Wednesday)    Great Britain Historical Medals

Estimate $3,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $2,700

CHARLES II, (1660-1685). Large silver medal commemorating King Charles landing at Dover in 1660. The start of the restoration of the Stuart monarchy. Diam. 57mm. Edge: plain. Legend in Latin "If God is my keeper who shall be my enemy". Obverse features a finely executed bust of the monarch by famed coinage artist John Roettiers. The portrait of the King has long hair, drapery around the shoulders, a large cravat bow and insignia, all enclosed within branches of laurel formed into an elaborate circle. Upper legend reads: DEUM. PROVIDENTIA. ATQ. MISERICORDIA. VIVO (`I live by the providence and mercy of God'). Lower legend reads: ANNO. RESERATAE. SALUTIS. 1660. DIE. 29. MAII (`In the year of renewed safety. 1660. 29 May') Below is the small neat monogram of Roettier. Outer legend: CAROLUS. II. D. G. MAGN: BRITANN: FRANC: ET. HIBERN: REX:, Reverse shows a ship approaching the coast where 3 warriors (representing England, Scotland and Ireland) await its arrival. Symbolically, in the distance a young oak tree grows from the remains of an old one. The eye of providence beams over the whole scene, (MI i, p. 457 no. 48. Eimer 211). Toned, die crack across head, otherwise extremely fine or better, rare.

This is a remarkably beautiful, historically important and well preserved medal. The crisp detail is complemented by a subtle original green/gold patina. Probably the first medal executed by Roettier in Britain. John and Joseph Roettiers went on to engrave the dies for the new `Guinea' coinage. This may be the finest available example of this rare medal.