British Historical Medals

Lot 2570    SESSION 9 (4.30PM WEDNESDAY 20TH NOV)    British Historical Medals

Estimate $1,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $1,350

ELIZABETH I, Dangers Averted, 1589, following the defeat of Spanish Armada in 1588, a superb 19th century heavy gilt silver restitution of Nicholas Hilliard's gold medal, bust of the Queen full-face, crowned, holding sceptre and orb, wearing high, open ruff, ornate gown with puffed shoulders, scrolled design in field, DITIOR IN TOTO NON ALTER CIRCVLVS ORBE, rev. a bay-tree flourishing on a small island, uninjured by lightning and winds, border of leaves, NON IPSA PERICVLA TANGVNT, 60.5 x 51.5mm, (40.23 g), (MI i, 154/130; Eimer 61A). A small integral suspension loop attached, much as made together with special made fitted case, medal is toned, extremely fine and very rare.

Ex Neal Archer Collection and bought from Spink, London, November 1985.

This piece, showing the additional scrolled design in the obverse field, is copied from the gold example acquired by the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge in 1936 (which is illustrated in Eimer Plate 6).