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Auction: 22007 - British and World Coins and Commemorative Medals Autumn Auction
Lot: 737

Religious State of England, AR Medal, 1688, by J. Smeltzing, LIBERTAS CONSCIENTIAE HOC MONILI ORNATA•, pedestal inscribed BRITANNIA, on it ecclesiastical items, over this a hand from heaven holds a scroll inscribed C • FAGELII EPISTOLA EFFLAGITATA A I • STEWARDO 1687 •, rev. RES IMMODERATA CIPIDO EST, a dog wearing a rosary, about to swallow a book, tramples on another and rests a paw on another, MDCLXXXVIII in exergue, plain edge, 59mm, 85.56g (Eimer -; MI 620/35; van Loon III, 361), some nailmarks and hairlines to fields, otherwise with brilliant and most attractive fields, hints of toning to edge of devices, extremely fine and extremely rare, only one other example in this metal on CoinArchives

The obverse represents a Britain of religious toleration with the Anglican mitre, Roman Catholic chalice, wafer, and rosary, and the Non-conformist dove surrounding the free Bible in the centre. The inscribed scroll refers to the engagement of the Scottish lawyer James Steward by James II to write letters to the Pensionary Fagel with a view to induce William and Mary to approve the abolition of the Test and Penal Laws. The hound on the reverse, a Dutch emblem of greed or lust, symbolizes James II devouring his coronation oath, trampling on the liberty of conscience, and removing the Test and Penal Laws, which sealed the safety of the state. The books the dog stands on are Magnum Iuramentum, Libertas Conscientiae and Salus Rei-Publicae or Salus Religionis Protestantium.

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Sold for
£5,500

Starting price
£800