The North Yorkshire Moors Collection of British Coins

VI: Original struck Dunbar Medals by Simon, Battle of Dunbar, 1650, a large struck uniface silver medal, unsigned [by T. Simon], bust left in plain field, no legend or signature, 35 x 31mm, 8.56g (Lessen, BNJ 1981, p.125 and pl. xiv, 32, this piece; cf. MI I, 392/14; cf. E 181a). Probably a trial striking of the bust punch before the legends were added, some edge and flan marks, otherwise fine; probably UNIQUE £600-£800

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

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Collection

Provenance: R. Stucker Collection, Bourgey Auction (Paris), 21-3 November 1977, lot unspecified; SNC June 1978 (8419).

An original Simon trial striking from a bust punch die before the legends were added, or perhaps a striking from a separate, unfinished die. This was later reworked in the round (as opposed to in the puncheon) by engraving or tooling to remove the armour and replace it with an imperial draped type of garment. The sash itself is fuller than on the completed Dunbar medal, and the entire drapery and garment image approaches that of the Lord Protector medal, implying that Simon used this as a model of sorts for the 1655 medal. The striking is definitely Simon’s work, but there is no guarantee that the modifications are his, although in all likelihood they are