Lot 3397

Description

George I, William Wake (1657-1737) silver medal, 1725 by Dassier, 42mm, 32.65 grams, obv. bust of William Wake in clerical robes, rev. features Latin descriptive prose ending with date MDCCXXV, (Eimer 500; MI ii 462/73). Beautifully toned mint state, and especially scarce in silver.

William Wake was Archbishop of Canterbury for virtually the whole of the reign of King George I, holding the position from 1716 until his death in 1737. Wake became Canon of Christ Church Oxford in 1689, and in 1693 Rector of St James. He was Bishop of London and later Archbishop of Canterbury. Tolerant and a prolific writer he was one of Britain’s greatest churchmen.