Ancient, British and World Coins, Tokens, Historical Medals and Banknotes

National Edition of Shakespeare’s Works, 1803, a silver medal by C.H. Küchler for J. and J. Boydell, Shakespeare seated on rock, flanked by figures of Drama and Painting, reverse legend, edge named (Samuel Wilde, Esqr.), 48mm (Pollard 28; BHM 553; E 950). Minor graze in field by figure of Drama, otherwise brilliant and practically as struck, attractively toned (£40-60)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Historical Medals - The Property of a European Collector.

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John Boydell (1719-1804), together with his nephew and partner Josiah Boydell (1752-1817), published a limited edition of Shakespeare’s works in 1802 and a folio collection of prints illustrative of the bard’s plays in 1803. Medals were given to each subscriber of the limited edition, although the medal was not issued until 1805