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Auction: 4023 - English & Foreign Coins & Commemorative Medals (incl. Railway Medals)
Lot: 563

Charles II, (1660-1685), Naval Reward Medallion, 1665 though undated, struck in gold, by John Roettier, laureate and draped bust of Charles II facing right, mullet preceding legend, carolvs.secvndvs.d.g.mag.bri.fr an.et.hib.rex rev. the King attired as a Roman General on shore viewing Naval engagement, .pro.talibvs. .avsis. in exergue, edge, plain, fitted with a large loop for ribbon suspension, diameter 63mm, weight, 201.63gms (MIi 503/139; Eimer 230) a few light scratches and tiny digs both sides, with a deeper scratch in front of bust on obverse, small edge nick near mullet, perhaps caused by wearing as a badge, otherwise extremely fine and of the highest rarity in goldAccording to Medallic Illustrations this medal was struck to honour those men who had signalized themselves in such Naval engagements as the Battle of Lowestoft in 1665. They were struck without date or any other denoting features to enable them to be awarded for other similar such enterprises during the reign of Charles II. The gold version would have been presented to those of the rank of Captain or higher and today are extremely rare. In our researches we have only come across three different examples of this medal in gold. The piece offered here, is the only one that has been on the market in this generation, having been through the sale rooms once in the Seventies and once in the Eighties. Mrs Greta S Heckett, Sotheby, 25th May 1977, lot 218 - £4,800 hammer "A Fine Collection of British Commemorative Medallions", Sotheby, 9-10 March 1989, lot 93, £23,100 hammer - purchased by the present owner at the above sale.

Sold for
£24,000