Spink
Auction 23148 31 May 2023
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Coronation of Victoria, Official AR Medal, 28 June 1838, by Benedetto Pistrucci for the Royal Mint, VICTORIA D • G • BRITANNIARUM REGINA F • D •, diademed bust left, rev. ERIMUS TIBI NOBILE REGNUM, Victoria enthroned, receives a crown from Britannia, Hibernia and Scotia, INAUGURATA DIE JUNII XXVIII MDCCCXXXVIII in exergue in three lines, edge plain, 37mm, 19.52g, 12h (Eimer 1315; BHM 1801), heavily cleaned with resultant extensive hairlines in otherwise original fields, a gouge on truncation, otherwise struck details a pleasingly bold very fine; additionally, Diamond Jubilee, AE Medal, 1897, by H. Grueber, FOUR GENERATION OF THE BRITISH ROYAL FAMILY, conjoined busts left, rev. • TO COMMEMORATE THE 60TH YEAR OF HER MAJESTYS REIGN • 1837-1897, shields, radiant crown above, 32mm, 11.47g (Eimer -; BHM 3539), areas of original mint red toning, very fine (2).
Queen Victoria had multiple sittings with Pistrucci to get the likeness for her coronation medal exact. This attention to detail was successful and the result was an attractive depiction of the young monarch, her hair gently drawn into a flowing bun. The reverse of the medal features the British Lion behind the throne like that of George III, and the three Graces of Britain like that of George IV. The Morning Post reported that "ribboned military officers and aldermen of the city of London were seen sprawled together and wrestling like schoolboys" at the distribution of the Coronation medals, and The Sun reported that "all rank was forgotten in the turbulent demonstration of loyalty."
, ,
There was a grand procession in the golden State Coach along a route designed to allow as many people as possible to get a sighting of the Queen. She was gazed upon with affectionate regard, and people cheered out of every window and from every balcony and roof. Victoria seemed to have been affected by the outpouring of joy, turning to the Duchess of Sutherland on occasion to hide her emotion.
, ,
However, the service was not without its pitfalls and was what historian Roy Strong called "the last of the botched Coronations". The Coronation lasted five hours and was very badly rehearsed which resulted in Victoria being told the ceremony was over by a confused bishop, who then had to "hastily retriev[e]" her to continue. Victoria notes two other mishaps in her personal diaries. The first was that of the Coronation ring being placed on the wrong finger which she had "the greatest difficulty to take [...] off again", the other when the elderly peer Lord Rolle fell down steps whilst trying to make homage to the Queen. The Queen recalls how when he attempted it for a second time, she "advanced to the edge, in order to prevent another fall".
Outside the Abbey, the public celebrated in almighty style. The newly built railways had allowed some 400,000 visitors to come to London to see the procession, and the Coronation coincided with a period of pleasant weather. Hyde Park was transformed into a huge fair, which ended up being extended from two days to four due to popularity. There was a balloon ascent and Green Park featured a firework display. Any mistakes within Westminster Abbey certainly did not dampen the mood outside. Queen Victoria recalled her Coronation as the "proudest moment of [her] life."
, ,
Queen Victoria was also the first British monarch to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee, prompting cause for a subsequent series of medals to mark the unprecedented national event. The second medal in this lot depicts the monarch of 60 years alongside the future kings Edward VII, George V and Edward VIII. As much as it was a historic and unprecedented occasion, it was also seen by some to be a political opportunity, to promote the idea of a global celebration fit for a monarch who ruled over 450 million people.
, ,
On 22nd June 1897, the aging Queen drove to St Paul's Cathedral where a Thanksgiving service was set to take place. At this late stage in her life, Victoria was struggling with severe arthritis and was therefore unable to climb the steps; as a result, the short service was delivered outside of the building. The Queen detailed her emotion when watching the crowds during the procession, calling their enthusiasm "truly marvellous and deeply touching. The cheering was quite deafening, and every face seemed to be filled with real joy."
, ,
Street feasts took place in large cities from London to Manchester, where free ale and tobacco was given out by Thomas Lipton; beacons across the UK were lit; there was both a garden party and a state banquet to mark the occasion and memorial fountains and towers were erected across the British Empire to mark the occasion. One newspaper wrote that "From one end of the land to the other, and indeed wherever the British flag flies, the day was marked in a special manner."
, ,
Spink wishes to thank Ella Mackenzie for the investigative historical research
Estimate: £120 - £180
Queen Victoria had multiple sittings with Pistrucci to get the likeness for her coronation medal exact. This attention to detail was successful and the result was an attractive depiction of the young monarch, her hair gently drawn into a flowing bun. The reverse of the medal features the British Lion behind the throne like that of George III, and the three Graces of Britain like that of George IV. The Morning Post reported that "ribboned military officers and aldermen of the city of London were seen sprawled together and wrestling like schoolboys" at the distribution of the Coronation medals, and The Sun reported that "all rank was forgotten in the turbulent demonstration of loyalty."
, ,
There was a grand procession in the golden State Coach along a route designed to allow as many people as possible to get a sighting of the Queen. She was gazed upon with affectionate regard, and people cheered out of every window and from every balcony and roof. Victoria seemed to have been affected by the outpouring of joy, turning to the Duchess of Sutherland on occasion to hide her emotion.
, ,
However, the service was not without its pitfalls and was what historian Roy Strong called "the last of the botched Coronations". The Coronation lasted five hours and was very badly rehearsed which resulted in Victoria being told the ceremony was over by a confused bishop, who then had to "hastily retriev[e]" her to continue. Victoria notes two other mishaps in her personal diaries. The first was that of the Coronation ring being placed on the wrong finger which she had "the greatest difficulty to take [...] off again", the other when the elderly peer Lord Rolle fell down steps whilst trying to make homage to the Queen. The Queen recalls how when he attempted it for a second time, she "advanced to the edge, in order to prevent another fall".
Outside the Abbey, the public celebrated in almighty style. The newly built railways had allowed some 400,000 visitors to come to London to see the procession, and the Coronation coincided with a period of pleasant weather. Hyde Park was transformed into a huge fair, which ended up being extended from two days to four due to popularity. There was a balloon ascent and Green Park featured a firework display. Any mistakes within Westminster Abbey certainly did not dampen the mood outside. Queen Victoria recalled her Coronation as the "proudest moment of [her] life."
, ,
Queen Victoria was also the first British monarch to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee, prompting cause for a subsequent series of medals to mark the unprecedented national event. The second medal in this lot depicts the monarch of 60 years alongside the future kings Edward VII, George V and Edward VIII. As much as it was a historic and unprecedented occasion, it was also seen by some to be a political opportunity, to promote the idea of a global celebration fit for a monarch who ruled over 450 million people.
, ,
On 22nd June 1897, the aging Queen drove to St Paul's Cathedral where a Thanksgiving service was set to take place. At this late stage in her life, Victoria was struggling with severe arthritis and was therefore unable to climb the steps; as a result, the short service was delivered outside of the building. The Queen detailed her emotion when watching the crowds during the procession, calling their enthusiasm "truly marvellous and deeply touching. The cheering was quite deafening, and every face seemed to be filled with real joy."
, ,
Street feasts took place in large cities from London to Manchester, where free ale and tobacco was given out by Thomas Lipton; beacons across the UK were lit; there was both a garden party and a state banquet to mark the occasion and memorial fountains and towers were erected across the British Empire to mark the occasion. One newspaper wrote that "From one end of the land to the other, and indeed wherever the British flag flies, the day was marked in a special manner."
, ,
Spink wishes to thank Ella Mackenzie for the investigative historical research
Estimate: £120 - £180