The North Yorkshire Moors Collection of British Coins

I: Briot, Warin and Rawlins, England, Charles II, Coronation, 1661, a struck silver medal, unsigned [by T. Rawlins], crowned bust left wearing Collar of the Garter, carolvs ii d g mag bri fra et hi rex coronatvs, rev. dixi cvstodiam xxiii april 1661, Charles as a shepherd tending his flock, edge pastore ovat ovile coronato, 33mm, 22.78g (MI I, 473/78; E 220). Good very fine, old cabinet toning, very rare
£600-£800

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

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Provenance: Greta Heckett Collection, Sotheby Auction, 25 May 1977, lot 165; A Very Fine Collection of British Historical and Commemorative Medals, Sotheby Auction, 9-10 March 1989, lot 85; An Important Collection of Stuart Badges and British Commemorative Medals, Spink Auction 120, 9-10 July 1997, lot 416.

This piece is unsigned, but of the same group as other dies, some of which are signed ‘R’ for Rawlins. Rawlins died in 1670 but had been nominal chief engraver since 1660. This is a highly professional and finished medal, probably made in 1661 and for the Coronation, as opposed to commemorate it later. However, it was not the ‘official’ medal approved for general circulation as was Simon’s. (Note the portrait in comparison with Simon’s halfcrowns in his hammered issues along with the Simon warrant; an amazingly close similarity. Did they perhaps originate from the same painting or drawing? And if so, which?). What is also surprising is the lettered edge made with a collar; there is a vertical witness line, and the letter bases are flat. Presses were still available, and of course Simon had access to them, as would Rawlins. However, the appearance of collars are unexpected. The thick Ramage coins of 1651 used them, so the knowledge existed, very possibly having originated with Briot. David Ramage was still at the Mint until his death before August 1662 and could have been involved with the mechanics – remembering his competent work in 1651. However, the ‘R’ signature could not be his, for he is not known to have any portraiture ability, but of course Rawlins did. Blondeau did not return to England until the end of 1661