Spink
Auction 23148 31 May 2023
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Coronation of Charles I, Official AR Medal, 2 February 1626, by Nicholas Briot for the Royal Mint, • CAROLVS • I • DG • MAG • BRITAN • FRAN • ET • HIB • REX, crowned and draped bust right, rev. • DONEC • PAX • REDDITA • TERRIS •, an arm issuing from clouds, holding a sword, • CORON • 2 • FEBRV • 1626 • in exergue in two lines, 30mm, 7.51g (Eimer 106; MI i 243/10), heavily cleaned and slightly concave, some verdigris, nevertheless a sought-after medal, struck details fine or better.
Provenance
'CA', by private treaty, 1985 - £40, ,
Charles I commissioned Frenchman Nicholas Briot to design his Coronation medal, having been impressed with his previous work at the Mint at Paris. The eventual design was issued in gold and silver, with the former presented to members of the Royal family and the latter thrown to spectators within the abbey and along the processional route - a method known as the King's Princely Largesse.
, ,
As his father had chosen to be crowned on the feast of his namesake St James, there has been speculation on Charles's decision to choose the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Candlemas) as a subtle sign of devotion towards his wife, Henrietta Maria. He had wanted his consort to be crowned at the same time as him, in the same manner as his parents, and notably there are remaining drafts for his Coronation service that make mention of the 'Princess Mayre.' However, she eventually made the decision not to participate at all; as a Roman Catholic, she refused to be crowned by a Protestant bishop.
, ,
The day seems to have been high-spirited and promising, however with knowledge in hindsight of the grisly end that Charles would meet, certain details of the Coronation day become all the more chilling. For instance, the King made the unusual decision not to dress in crimson or purple robes, but all in white - the colour of innocence, but also of martyrdom. The Bishop of Carlisle who preached the coronation sermon, took a verse from the Book of Revelation, declaring: 'Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of Life'. Even at the time, this was observed to have been more suited to a funeral. His reign would end with war, execution and the toppling of the monarchy, making the reverse of this particular coronation medal all the more haunting. The warlike emblem of a mailed arm holding a sword from the heavens, accompanied by the words 'until peace be restored upon earth', appears all the more profound than it could ever have been originally conceived.
, ,
Spink wishes to thank Ella Mackenzie for the investigative historical research
Estimate: £120 - £180
Provenance
'CA', by private treaty, 1985 - £40, ,
Charles I commissioned Frenchman Nicholas Briot to design his Coronation medal, having been impressed with his previous work at the Mint at Paris. The eventual design was issued in gold and silver, with the former presented to members of the Royal family and the latter thrown to spectators within the abbey and along the processional route - a method known as the King's Princely Largesse.
, ,
As his father had chosen to be crowned on the feast of his namesake St James, there has been speculation on Charles's decision to choose the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Candlemas) as a subtle sign of devotion towards his wife, Henrietta Maria. He had wanted his consort to be crowned at the same time as him, in the same manner as his parents, and notably there are remaining drafts for his Coronation service that make mention of the 'Princess Mayre.' However, she eventually made the decision not to participate at all; as a Roman Catholic, she refused to be crowned by a Protestant bishop.
, ,
The day seems to have been high-spirited and promising, however with knowledge in hindsight of the grisly end that Charles would meet, certain details of the Coronation day become all the more chilling. For instance, the King made the unusual decision not to dress in crimson or purple robes, but all in white - the colour of innocence, but also of martyrdom. The Bishop of Carlisle who preached the coronation sermon, took a verse from the Book of Revelation, declaring: 'Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of Life'. Even at the time, this was observed to have been more suited to a funeral. His reign would end with war, execution and the toppling of the monarchy, making the reverse of this particular coronation medal all the more haunting. The warlike emblem of a mailed arm holding a sword from the heavens, accompanied by the words 'until peace be restored upon earth', appears all the more profound than it could ever have been originally conceived.
, ,
Spink wishes to thank Ella Mackenzie for the investigative historical research
Estimate: £120 - £180