The North Yorkshire Moors Collection of British Coins

IX: Original Naval Rewards (and Electrotypes), Naval Reward, 1653-4, a struck gold medal by T. Simon, shields of England, Scotland and Ireland superimposed on anchor surrounded by rope, signed ts monogram, rev. elaborate naval battle scene, signed simon and ts, edge plain, 41 x 36mm, 26.55g (Lessen, BNJ 1997, p.63, PB3, and pl. xiii, 16, this piece; Platt II, p.335, type C; MI I, 400/28; v. Loon II, 366; E 185). Trifling surface marks, otherwise extremely fine and extremely rare; with integral loop for suspension £30,000-£40,000

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

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Provenance: Probably awarded to Clerk of the Cheque John Clifton, on the Commonwealth warship George, and thence by descent; Property of a Lady, Sotheby Auction, 11 July 1898, lot 265; R. Day Collection, Part II, Sotheby Auction, 18-19 April 1910, lot 8; G.Ll. Palmer Collection, Glendining Auction, 18-20 June 1919, lot 10; D. Thomson Collection, Glendining Auction 12 February 1964, lot 1; D.F. Spink Collection; bt Spink August 1986.

‘The Plaine Borderless Medal’, first authorised in August 1653, was awarded after the successful conclusion of the last of the three great naval battles of the First Anglo-Dutch War (Portland, Gabbard and finally Texel on 31 July 1653). Apart from Clifton, probable recipients would have included acting-lieutenant William Sanders of the Triumph, captains Joseph Ames of the Samuel Talbot, Roger Cuttance of the Sussex and William Haddock or his son Richard of the Hannibal. Based on Calendar entries, captains Joseph Taylor (not listed for any ship in June), Giles Shelley of the Waterhound and Jeremiah Smyth of the Advice should have received this award or the similar medal with laurel border. Additionally, some of the captains listed as killed at the Battle of Texel, James Peacock of the Triumph, Thomas Graves of the Andrew, Edmund Chapman of the Golden Cock, one of the Taylors of the William, William Newman of the Mayflower and John Crisp of the Prosperous would also have been eligible