Charles II

Charles II, Scottish Coronation at Scone Palace, cast silver medal, 1651, believed designed by Sir James Balfour, crowned bust right wearing Coronation robes and Collar of the Garter, CAROLVS 2 DG SCO ANG FRA & HI REX FI DE cor i ia scon 1651, rev., the crowned Lion of England, rampant and holding thistle, NEMO ME IMPVNE LACESSET, 31.5mm (MI 394/18; Eim. 183; Woll iv; Platt II, pp. 351-52). Very fine and very rare.

Charles had attempted to obtain the English throne by being first acclaimed as King of Scotland. Having accepted the "Deed of Covenant", drawn up by the Protestants, he and future monarchs were prevented from intervention in matters of religion and Catholicism was rejected. Charles was crowned King of Scotland on 1st January 1651 but by September he had fled from the Battle of Worcester into exile. There have been no further coronations in Scotland since then. The antiquarian and royalist Sir James Balfour of Denmylne, 1st Baronet, (c.1600 - c.1658), of Perth and Kinross , was well placed to have designed the medal.

Provenance: Glendining Auction, 1 June, 2002 (lot 922); ex. Sanda Lipton.