Coins, Tokens and Historical Medals

A pair of medals awarded to Denis Healey, Chancellor of the Exchequer 1974-9, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party 1980-3, regarded by some in the Labour Party as “the best Prime Minister we never had”:

FRANCE, La France au Calligramme de la République, 1975, a bronze fluor medal by G. Mathieu, 100mm (CGMP p.1268); Entrée en Européen Système Monétaire, 1979, a silver award medal, unsigned, for the Monnaie de Paris, named (M. Denis Healey), 73mm, 234.3g (CGMP –) [2]. First very fine, second virtually as struck; in cases of issue, former with ‘Fourcade plaque’ inscribed on lid in Denis Healey’s hand £200-300

Denis Winston Healey, Baron Healey, CH, MBE, PC (1917-2015); b. Mottingham, Kent; educ. Bradford Grammar School and Balliol College, Oxford; served with Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers in N Africa, Sicily and the Italian campaign; entered politics 1945, becoming secretary of the international department of the Labour Party; elected MP for Leeds South East, February 1952, then after boundary changes Leeds East, remaining as MP until his retirement in 1992; Secretary of State for Defence under Harold Wilson, 1964-70; Chancellor of the Exchequer 1974-9; Deputy Leader of the Labour Party 1980-3; retired from the Shadow Cabinet 1987