The Christopher Foley, F.S.A., Collection Of Early English Medals - 16th October 2014
Lot 506
Charles II
Estimate £800 - £1,000
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Description
Charles II, possible Pattern Halfcrown for an Irish coinage, silver, undated, by George Bower (?), laureate bust left, CAROLVS A CAROLO, rev., crowned harp within Garter, 34mm (MI 599/285). Strictly fine but extremely rare.
The puncheon for the image is the same as that on the Samuel Morland medal of 1681 (MI 582/258), a piece which MI does not hesitate to attribute to George Bower. That it is not struck "en médaille" (ie with a top common to both sides), does seem to point it to being a pattern coin; however if it is it has no official status.
Provenance: Bt D. Fearon, July 2007.