The North Yorkshire Moors Collection of British Coins

VI: Original struck Dunbar Medals by Simon, Battle of Dunbar, 1650, a large oval struck gold medal by T. Simon, bust left, battle scene in background, signed tho.simon.fe below, the lord of hosts word at dvnbar septem y 3 1650, rev. view of the Long Parliament, 36 x 31mm, 18.52g (Lessen, BNJ 1981, p.119 and pl. ix, 9, this piece; Nathanson p.24; MI I, 392/14; E 181a). Small piercing for suspension, very fine, reverse better, peripheral reddish toning, excessively rare and important; the only known original striking in gold £15,000-£20,000

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

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Provenance: M. Gutman Collection, Part V, Parke Bernet Galleries Auction (New York), 15 May 1970, lot 151.

This was made by Simon in 1651 in response to unknown official orders, probably from the Council of State, as a reward for the victorious battle over the Scottish army at Dunbar on 3 September 1650. Its distribution is unclear. This is the only original large medal known in gold, and only two are currently recorded in silver. All other examples are 18th to 20th century restrikes from original and false dies. There is no original large Dunbar medal in any metal in any major museum in Britain. Further detail regarding its examination by Dr M.S. Tite at the British Museum Research Laboratory on 12 June 1976 is sold with the lot