James I

James I, the attempted Union of England and Scotland, cast oval silver medal or badge, 1604, bust of the King three-quarters right wearing flamboyant plumed hat with a rectangular jewel, plain lace collar, richly decorated armour, a sash around his shoulder, IAC D G MAG BRIT FR ET HIB R, border around formed of a chain of roses and thistles, rev., celestial clouds radiate over crossed sceptres passing through a single crown, 1604 below, FIRMANTVR BINA SVB VNO around, border also formed of roses and thistles, 54.5 x 44.5mm (cf. MI 194/17; Farquhar I, 162; CP 18/4), set in an intricate contemporary cable-and-link border-mount with plain suspension loop. A superb medal, nearly extremely fine, minor solder marks where border attached, and with a flaw in obverse field (by HIB), of the highest rarity.

The medal was issued whilst James was trying to establish full Union between the kingdoms of England and Scotland and whilst SCO is missing from the obverse legend, the reverse legend, FIRMANTVR BINA SVB VNO [The two are established under one] more than compensates. The first meeting of Parliamentary Commissioners of the two countries took place exactly 410 years ago on 15 October 1604. Two other examples are recorded (MI 194/17), in the Hunter Collection in silver and the British Museum, in bronze, on both of which the precise date is given. Comparison shows other minor but distinct differences between the portrait on this medal and the two others.

Provenance: Morton & Eden, 20-21 May, 2003 (lot 1119), where stated to be ex Helen Farquhar Collection (but not in Farquhar Auction, Glendining, 24 April, 1955.