Charles I

Charles I, the return to London, cast gold medal, 1633, by Nicolas Briot, king on horseback left, holding sceptre in right hand, Eye of Providence above, plumed helmet on flowery ground below, CAROLVA AVGVSTISS ET INVICTISS MAG BRIT FRAN ET HIB MONARCHA - 1633, rev., a panoramic view of the city of London, with St Paul's and old London Bridge, SOL ORBEM RADIANS SIC REX ILLVMINAT URBEM, view of the city of London, sun above, a small E to the left of the sun, 42.5mm (MI 266/62; Eim.124; CP.20/4; BMC [Jones] 158a; Platt p. 135, type B, this specimen illustrated). Very fine, small scratch above shoulder, extremely rare.

Whilst the medal commemorates the king's return to London following his Coronation in Scotland, Charles did not enter the city directly due to an outbreak of the plague.

Provenance: Morton & Eden, 9 June 2009 (lot 331).