Baldwin & Sons
Auction 81 10 May 2013
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COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS. BRITISH MEDALS. John Locke (1632-1671), philosopher, Copper Medal, 1774, by Jacques Roettiers (1707-1784), draped bust left, JOANNES LOCK, rev MENS HABITAT MOLEVIRG GEOR MDCCLXXIV, 53.5mm (BHM 189, R2; cf MI 271/73, dated 1739). Struck from rust marked dies, good very fine, extremely rare and something of a mystery.
The British Museum (MI) lists a 1739 specimen in silver, though in the plates it is listed as 'Æ'. MI, in listing the 1739 medal, notes that they hold the dies in their collection; they also hold the punches and, on checking, both relate to the 1774 medal. The portrait could have been executed c.1731 during Roettiers' trip to London. Snelling writes (p.57), "The late Sir Hans Sloane and Doctor Mead ... desired him to engrave a series of the illustrious men of Great Britain, and Mr. Conduit procured him drawings of Newton, Locke, &c". The legend, which should read "MENS AGITAT MOLEM", is misplaced, coming from the 'Aeneid' (vi. 727) and not the 'Georgics'.
Estimate: £200-300
The British Museum (MI) lists a 1739 specimen in silver, though in the plates it is listed as 'Æ'. MI, in listing the 1739 medal, notes that they hold the dies in their collection; they also hold the punches and, on checking, both relate to the 1774 medal. The portrait could have been executed c.1731 during Roettiers' trip to London. Snelling writes (p.57), "The late Sir Hans Sloane and Doctor Mead ... desired him to engrave a series of the illustrious men of Great Britain, and Mr. Conduit procured him drawings of Newton, Locke, &c". The legend, which should read "MENS AGITAT MOLEM", is misplaced, coming from the 'Aeneid' (vi. 727) and not the 'Georgics'.
Estimate: £200-300