General George Monk (1608-1670)

General George Monk (1608-1670), 1st Duke of Albemarle [1660], Commander-in-Chief, politician and key figure in the Restoration of Charles II, small base metal badge, 1660, by Thomas Rawlins, armoured bust right, rev., ducal coronet above the arms of Monk, within Garter, stippled background to both sides, 31mm (MI 466/64; MH 48; Platt II, p. 222). Four neat but large piercings, very fine and rare.

The piercings suggest that it was made for use as, perhaps, a cap badge, or supporters badge to be worn on clothing. In the casting the signiature TS of Thomas Simon has been lost.

Provenance: Bt. eBay, March, 2005.