Nicholas and Dorothy Wadham

Nicholas and Dorothy Wadham, founders of the Oxford College that has their name, hollow oval silver medal, 1618, made of two clichés joined at the rim, his half-length bust three-quarters right, with ruff collar over plain cloak, WHEN CHRIST WHO IS OVR LIFE SHAL APPEARE, rev., her half-length bust three-quarters left, wearing damask gown, high ruff collar and broad-brimmed hat, WE SHALL APPEARE WITH HIM IN GLORY, 60 x 46.5mm (MI 220/73; Eim. 98; H & P pl. 28, 10). A little crimped, very fine and rare.

The medal is believed to have been issued on the death of Dorothy Wadham (b. 1534) in 1618. Nicholas Wadham (1532-1609) was a Somerset landowner who, in his will, left funds for the founding of what became Wadham College. It was Dorothy, whom he had married in 1555, who brought this about, even to the extent of a Royal Charter, and the first students were received in 1613

Provenance: Ex E. K. Barnsdale Collection, Spink, New York, 11 December, 2001 (lot 4); purchased Coins and Antiquities, London, December 1972.