Commemorative Medals, Charles II, the Dominion of the Seas and Victory over the Dutch, small silver medal, 1665, by Thomas Simon, laureate bust of the King r., hair long and flowing, wearing mantle, CAROLVS. II. D.G. M BR. FR. ET. HIB. REX, rev. Charles II, robed and crowned, in sea chariot drawn by four hippocamps, the fleet beyond, ET. PONTVS. SERVIET 1665, 26.5mm. (MI.506/145; Eimer 233; MH.59; Farquhar p. 245; vL.II, 507), good very fine and an early striking showing only faintest traces of the 'rainbow' die flaw, extremely rare
This beautiful medal is supposed to be the last of Thomas Simon's works, he was to die of the plague within a couple of months. The medal commemorates the empire of the sea obtained by England through the victory of 3 June, 1655. The 'rainbow' die flaw was to take over the reverse and only a very few specimens survive without it.
The Alan Irvine Collection of Historical and Artistic Medals (1500-2000 GBP)