Charles II

Charles II, Coronation 1661, the official medal, in gold, by Thomas Simon, crowned bust right, wearing ornate lace cravat and wearing Garter Collar and George, CAROLVS II DG ANG SCO FR ET HI REX, rev., the King enthroned, crowned by Peace, EVERSO MISSVS SVCCVRRERE SECLO …, 29.5mm; 12.0g (MI 472/76; Eim. 221; vL II, 470; Woll. v; H & P pl. 30, 6; ; Platt II, p. 358; Farquhar I, 229). A superb specimen, virtually mint state & rich in colour.

The medal, when silver, was struck for distribution at the Ceremony on Tuesday, 23rd April, 1661, as noted by Samuel Pepys, "And three times the King at Arms went to the three open places on the scaffold, and proclaimed, that if any one could show any reason why Charles Stewart should not be King of England, that now he should come and speak. And a Generall Pardon also was read by the Lord Chancellor, and meddalls flung up and down by my Lord Cornwallis, of silver, but I could not come by any." MI notes that Simon was paid £110 for making the medal and continues that it "has never been surpassed fore minuteness and delicacy of work".