II: Civil War Medals, Edward Montagu, 2nd Earl of Manchester, 1643, a cast and chased silver military reward, unsigned, armoured bust facing three-quarters left, rev. Montagu arms, coronet above, wreath border of two narrow rows of laurel leaves on both sides, 31 x 27mm, 7.87g (Platt II, p.233, type E; MI I, 309/137; E 143A var.). Good very fine, undoubtedly a contemporary original, very rare £400-£600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The North Yorkshire Moors Collection of British Coins.

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Provenance: Marquess of Bute Collection, Part III, Sotheby Auction, 2 July 1951, lot 56 (part); C.H. Hartmann Collection, Sotheby Auction, 13 November 1967, lot 3; SCMB February 1968 (M 320).

This specimen is far superior in manufacture and image to virtually all others found on the market (including those described by Platt), which are almost always not even after-casts, but 18th century copies. The medallist for the portrait was very accomplished, probably on the Parliamentary side, but unfortunately unknown.

Edward Montagu, 2nd Earl of Manchester (1602-71) was Major General commanding the Eastern Association Army of the seven counties of Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Huntingdonshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. He was Cromwell’s commander until the New Model Army was formed