- Museum number
- G3,EM.1
- Description
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Gold medal. (whole)
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Half-length figure of Edward VI, right, crowned, in armour, holding sword and orb. There is an inscription in three circles, divided into four parts by the Royal badges, the Rose, Portcullis, Fleur-de-Lis, and Harp, each crowned. (obverse)
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Inscriptions in Hebrew and Greek, of similar import to the legend on the obverse; both not very correctly written. (reverse)
- Production date
- 1546 (old calendar)
- Dimensions
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Diameter: 60.000 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
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- Curator's comments
- Medallic Illustrations 1, published in 1885, states:
Rare.
These medals are all cast, or struck with only a gentle pressure upon cast metal, and are more or less repaired with a chasing tool, and vary in their details. Upon some is the word ‘Inkhith’, instead of ‘Lambhith’; probably a blunder of the artist.
It is the first coronation medal executed in England, imitating in its Hebrew, Greek, and Latin inscriptions his father's medal, but omitting the words "sub Christo" inserted by Henry in conformity with the reluctant acknowledgment of his supremacy by the clergy. (See registration no. M.6801). It may have been issued at the archiepiscopal palace at Lambeth.
The date is according to the old style, when the year commenced with March 25.
There are modern copies of this medal cast and highly chased, which are not rare.
See Pinkerton, J., ‘The Medallic History of England to the Revolution’, London, 1790 (fol.), iv. 8; Perry, Francis, ‘A Series of English Medals’, London, 1762, ii. 4; Van Mieris, Frans, ‘Histori der Nederlandsche Vorsten’, &c., Gravenhaage, 1732-1735, III. 159; ‘Memoirs of Thomas Hollis’ (2 vols), London, 1780, p. 673.
The British Museum also holds a silver version of this medal (registration no. M,CMC.6812) and two 18th century copies (registration nos. 1924,0910.1 and BNK.E.M.3).
- Location
- On display (G1/fc11)
- Exhibition history
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Exhibited:
2015, 16 Mar - 19 Jul, Paris, Musee de Luxembourg, Les Vrais Tudors
- Associated events
- Commemoration of: Coronation of Edward VII, on 20th February 1546 (Old calendar)
- Acquisition date
- 1825
- Department
- Coins and Medals
- Registration number
- G3,EM.1
- Additional IDs
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Miscellaneous number: G3.EM.44 (formerly in error)
- C&M catalogue number
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MB1 (Medallic Illustrations 1) (53) (1)
