tour 3 of 20
Enlightenment: Classifying the World
Edward VI coronation medal
This spectacular gold medal was produced for
the coronation of the English boy king Edward VI (reigned
1547-1553). It was the first coronation medal produced in
England.
The Latin
inscription around the king's image translates as
'Edward VI by the grace of god King of England, France and
Ireland, defender of the faith and the supreme head on earth of the
Church of England and Ireland, crowned 20 Fenruary 1546 at the age
of ten years'. The same inscription appears in Greek and
Hebrew on the back.
The
medal was subsequently part of the collection of coins and medals
owned by George III (reigned 1760-1820). Like other collections,
his gold and silver medals were arranged into chronological
sequences in a way that matched the artefacts with established
histories.