Spink
Auction 23148 31 May 2023
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House of Windsor, Official Coronation and Jubilee AR Medals (5) | Coronation of Edward VII, Official Small AR Medal, 1902, by G. W. de Saulles for the Royal Mint, edge plain, 31mm, 12.72g, 12h (Eimer 1871; BHM 3737); also, Coronation of George V, Official Small AR Medal, 1911, by B. Mackennal for the Royal Mint, edge plain, 31mm, 12.36g, 12h (Eimer 1922; BHM 4022); also, George V, Silver Jubilee, Official Small AR Medal, 1935, by P. Metcalfe for the Royal Mint, edge plain, 32mm, 15.63g, 12h (Eimer 2029; BHM 4249); and, Coronation of George VI, Official Small AR Medal, 1937, by P. Metcalfe for the Royal Mint, edge plain, 32mm, 15.46g, 12h (Eimer 2046b; BHM 4314); lastly, Coronation of Elizabeth II, Unofficial Small AR Medal, 1953, by J. Pinches Ltd., edge plain, 35mm, 21.76g, 12h (Eimer -; BHM 4440), all heavily cleaned yet still well struck-up, generally near extremely fine (5).
Provenance
i, ii, iii, iv, v) 'CA', by private treaty, 1985, ,
i) Edward VII
, ,
The work of de Saulles; this Coronation Medal included the orders of Chivalry and Coronation. Edward is also the first King to feature a beard since that of James I. The date for the Coronation had originally been set as 26th June, with guests invited from all over the world. However, when the King developed acute peritonitis just a few days before hand, he reluctantly agreed to surgery and thus the postponement of the Coronation to 9th August. This medal states the revised date. Victoria's Jubilees had created an assumption from the nation that Edward's coronation would equally be a vibrant celebration of Britain as the great Imperial power. One unfortunate result of the postponement, was that many of the foreign guests did not return to England for the rescheduled ceremony, leaving ambassadors to represent their countries instead.
, ,
The Archbishop of Canterbury at the time was aging and nearly blind. The prayers had to be printed in large script on cards so that he could read them, and even then, he still misread some of them, including during the moment of Crowning, and after he had dropped the crown. He also placed the crown on the King's head the wrong way round and was unable to get back up after paying homage. When asked about the state of his well-being during the service, he abruptly shouted "go away!" in a loud voice that reverberated around the congregation.
, ,
In another, but more heartfelt, deviation, when the Prince of Wales touched the crown and kissed his father's left cheek in an act of homage, the King rose and threw his arms around his son's neck - an unusual display of affection, and perhaps a sign of more modern and liberal times to come in the twentieth century.
, ,
ii) George V
, ,
It has been noted that far fewer coronation medals of George V were struck compared to those of his father. Even so, they were still struck in two assorted sizes of gold and silver, as well as bronze.
, ,
At the accession of George V, the British Empire was approaching its peak, therefore his Coronation was attended by the Royal representatives of all the great European Empires, the last time that such a contingent would attend a British Coronation. This would be a result of WWI, which had led to the abolition of most other European monarchies. India, too, was represented at the Coronation by several Maharajas, whilst Queen Mary wore the now-controversial Koh-i-Noor diamond in her crown, the same crown adapted and worn by Queen Camilla in her Coronation. Mary wrote in her diary: "The ceremony was beautiful and most impressive" whilst the King wrote of the day: "Today was indeed a great & memorable day in our lives and one which we can never forget."
, ,
At the end of the procession, the King and Queen appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, a now familiar tradition. This created great excitement amongst the crowds, so much so that soldiers outside the palace actually broke ranks and joined in too. That evening, main buildings and streets in central London were lit up by strings of electric lights long into the night and as part of the celebration, and the Festival of Britain was held at the Crystal Palace, which included displays of products from the across the British Empire, as well as a pageant and athletics tournament.
, ,
iii) This silver medal was created to commemorate King George V's 25 years on the throne. On the reverse of the medal, there is a view of the Round Tower at Windsor Castle alongside the motto that translates to 'let the fortune of the house stand'. It is no coincidence that George, as the monarch that changed the surname of the British Royal Family to 'Windsor' by Royal proclamation, saw the castle as a metaphor - strong for the future. The medal was awarded to members of the Royal Family as well as officers of state, royal servants, police, and members of the navy, army and air force.
This - the first ever Silver Jubilee of a British monarch - was marked with large-scale and popular events throughout the UK, although the King was clear that he did not want the celebrations to cost too much or take away money from prominent issues. The family appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony and due to popular demand, the King waved from the same balcony for several consecutive days later in the same week.
, ,
To accompany the King's physical appearances, he also decided to use modern technology to speak to millions across the world. He broadcast to the Empire on the evening of May 6th, giving thanks "from the depths of his heart to his dear people"; normally a confident public speaker, the King stumbled, overwhelmed by the appreciation shown to him on this special milestone.
, ,
By tradition, community feasting continued to mark Jubilees. Whilst 19th century festivities had been focused on ox roasts and beef dinners for the poor, 1935 brought the concept of street parties into Jubilees, adapted from 'peace teas' that had been held in 1919 for children who had lost relatives in the First World War.
, ,
iv) George VI
, ,
The date of the 12 May 1937 had been chosen as the original date for King Edward VIII before his abdication. George VI decided to retain the date and therefore medals had to be hastily minted. They were the work of Percy Metcalfe, featuring a lower relief portrait of a clean-shaven and youthful king, and his Queen on the reverse.
, ,
At the time, television was still in its infancy, however the BBC did show live footage of the Coronation procession for the first time in history. It was revolutionary to be able to give people outside of London the chance to witness the new King and Queen Consort on the day of crowning, even if the service itself was not televised. Inside Westminster Abbey, eye witnesses recalled the vivid colour that seemed to feature everywhere: gold and blue hangings and carpet, crimson robes and uniforms.
, ,
Technology was not the only innovation in the service, so too were the invited attendees. As well as leading colonial administrators, ambassadors, princes and premiers, working-class representatives from trade unions and co-operatives were inside the abbey, while native Africans were allowed to attend for the first time. Watching from the side-lines was the young Princess Elizabeth, who would become the longest reigning monarch in history.
, ,
v) Elizabeth II
, ,
In a step onwards from her father's coronation, Elizabeth's ceremony was televised live, and was watched by over 27 million people in the United Kingdom. Dressed in a white satin gown designed by Norman Hartnell, she began to make her way down the aisle to the traditional anthem 'I was glad'. An unfortunate oversight had meant that the carpet had been laid with the pile running the wrong way, meaning the metal fringe on her golden mantel kept getting caught. The Queen had to tell the Archbishop of Canterbury, 'Get me started'.
, ,
After the service, herself and her party enjoyed a packed lunch in the retiring rooms, including smoked salmon, foie gras, sausage rolls, cheese and biscuits. On the morning of Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation, the news that Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay had reached the summit of Mount Everest reached Britain, the media quick to dub it "a Coronation gift for the new Queen."
, ,
Elizabeth appeared twice on the balcony on her Coronation day: the first time with her family wearing the Imperial State Crown to cheering crowds, the second at 9.45pm to turn on the 'lights of London'. These so-called 'Lights of London' lit the length of the Mall and the cypher on Admiralty Arch. It turned the water in the Trafalgar Square fountains into what looked like mercury, and was complete once all floodlights from the National Gallery to the Tower of London were gleaming.
, ,
Spink wishes to thank Ella Mackenzie for the investigative historical research
Estimate: £140 - £200
Provenance
i, ii, iii, iv, v) 'CA', by private treaty, 1985, ,
i) Edward VII
, ,
The work of de Saulles; this Coronation Medal included the orders of Chivalry and Coronation. Edward is also the first King to feature a beard since that of James I. The date for the Coronation had originally been set as 26th June, with guests invited from all over the world. However, when the King developed acute peritonitis just a few days before hand, he reluctantly agreed to surgery and thus the postponement of the Coronation to 9th August. This medal states the revised date. Victoria's Jubilees had created an assumption from the nation that Edward's coronation would equally be a vibrant celebration of Britain as the great Imperial power. One unfortunate result of the postponement, was that many of the foreign guests did not return to England for the rescheduled ceremony, leaving ambassadors to represent their countries instead.
, ,
The Archbishop of Canterbury at the time was aging and nearly blind. The prayers had to be printed in large script on cards so that he could read them, and even then, he still misread some of them, including during the moment of Crowning, and after he had dropped the crown. He also placed the crown on the King's head the wrong way round and was unable to get back up after paying homage. When asked about the state of his well-being during the service, he abruptly shouted "go away!" in a loud voice that reverberated around the congregation.
, ,
In another, but more heartfelt, deviation, when the Prince of Wales touched the crown and kissed his father's left cheek in an act of homage, the King rose and threw his arms around his son's neck - an unusual display of affection, and perhaps a sign of more modern and liberal times to come in the twentieth century.
, ,
ii) George V
, ,
It has been noted that far fewer coronation medals of George V were struck compared to those of his father. Even so, they were still struck in two assorted sizes of gold and silver, as well as bronze.
, ,
At the accession of George V, the British Empire was approaching its peak, therefore his Coronation was attended by the Royal representatives of all the great European Empires, the last time that such a contingent would attend a British Coronation. This would be a result of WWI, which had led to the abolition of most other European monarchies. India, too, was represented at the Coronation by several Maharajas, whilst Queen Mary wore the now-controversial Koh-i-Noor diamond in her crown, the same crown adapted and worn by Queen Camilla in her Coronation. Mary wrote in her diary: "The ceremony was beautiful and most impressive" whilst the King wrote of the day: "Today was indeed a great & memorable day in our lives and one which we can never forget."
, ,
At the end of the procession, the King and Queen appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, a now familiar tradition. This created great excitement amongst the crowds, so much so that soldiers outside the palace actually broke ranks and joined in too. That evening, main buildings and streets in central London were lit up by strings of electric lights long into the night and as part of the celebration, and the Festival of Britain was held at the Crystal Palace, which included displays of products from the across the British Empire, as well as a pageant and athletics tournament.
, ,
iii) This silver medal was created to commemorate King George V's 25 years on the throne. On the reverse of the medal, there is a view of the Round Tower at Windsor Castle alongside the motto that translates to 'let the fortune of the house stand'. It is no coincidence that George, as the monarch that changed the surname of the British Royal Family to 'Windsor' by Royal proclamation, saw the castle as a metaphor - strong for the future. The medal was awarded to members of the Royal Family as well as officers of state, royal servants, police, and members of the navy, army and air force.
This - the first ever Silver Jubilee of a British monarch - was marked with large-scale and popular events throughout the UK, although the King was clear that he did not want the celebrations to cost too much or take away money from prominent issues. The family appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony and due to popular demand, the King waved from the same balcony for several consecutive days later in the same week.
, ,
To accompany the King's physical appearances, he also decided to use modern technology to speak to millions across the world. He broadcast to the Empire on the evening of May 6th, giving thanks "from the depths of his heart to his dear people"; normally a confident public speaker, the King stumbled, overwhelmed by the appreciation shown to him on this special milestone.
, ,
By tradition, community feasting continued to mark Jubilees. Whilst 19th century festivities had been focused on ox roasts and beef dinners for the poor, 1935 brought the concept of street parties into Jubilees, adapted from 'peace teas' that had been held in 1919 for children who had lost relatives in the First World War.
, ,
iv) George VI
, ,
The date of the 12 May 1937 had been chosen as the original date for King Edward VIII before his abdication. George VI decided to retain the date and therefore medals had to be hastily minted. They were the work of Percy Metcalfe, featuring a lower relief portrait of a clean-shaven and youthful king, and his Queen on the reverse.
, ,
At the time, television was still in its infancy, however the BBC did show live footage of the Coronation procession for the first time in history. It was revolutionary to be able to give people outside of London the chance to witness the new King and Queen Consort on the day of crowning, even if the service itself was not televised. Inside Westminster Abbey, eye witnesses recalled the vivid colour that seemed to feature everywhere: gold and blue hangings and carpet, crimson robes and uniforms.
, ,
Technology was not the only innovation in the service, so too were the invited attendees. As well as leading colonial administrators, ambassadors, princes and premiers, working-class representatives from trade unions and co-operatives were inside the abbey, while native Africans were allowed to attend for the first time. Watching from the side-lines was the young Princess Elizabeth, who would become the longest reigning monarch in history.
, ,
v) Elizabeth II
, ,
In a step onwards from her father's coronation, Elizabeth's ceremony was televised live, and was watched by over 27 million people in the United Kingdom. Dressed in a white satin gown designed by Norman Hartnell, she began to make her way down the aisle to the traditional anthem 'I was glad'. An unfortunate oversight had meant that the carpet had been laid with the pile running the wrong way, meaning the metal fringe on her golden mantel kept getting caught. The Queen had to tell the Archbishop of Canterbury, 'Get me started'.
, ,
After the service, herself and her party enjoyed a packed lunch in the retiring rooms, including smoked salmon, foie gras, sausage rolls, cheese and biscuits. On the morning of Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation, the news that Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay had reached the summit of Mount Everest reached Britain, the media quick to dub it "a Coronation gift for the new Queen."
, ,
Elizabeth appeared twice on the balcony on her Coronation day: the first time with her family wearing the Imperial State Crown to cheering crowds, the second at 9.45pm to turn on the 'lights of London'. These so-called 'Lights of London' lit the length of the Mall and the cypher on Admiralty Arch. It turned the water in the Trafalgar Square fountains into what looked like mercury, and was complete once all floodlights from the National Gallery to the Tower of London were gleaming.
, ,
Spink wishes to thank Ella Mackenzie for the investigative historical research
Estimate: £140 - £200