A bronzed armorial oval ‘medal’, perhaps intended as a box lid, of slightly convex form with a beaded border, a castellated gateway with standards flying, libertas et natale solum, 73 x 57mm. Of 18th century style and seemingly made by the electrotype process, very fine (£60-80)

The motto libertas et natale solum [Liberty and my native soil] is perhaps best known in numismatic reference for it being adopted by the Tuesday Club of Annapolis, Maryland. It was also that of the family and successors of Sir William Sanderson and of Lord Chief Justice Whitshed, of whom, having seen it painted on his carriage door, Dean Jonathan Swift was inspired to write:
Libertas et natale solum:
Fine words! I wonder where you stole ’em: