Lot 631

William & Mary (1689 – 1694) Coronation of William of Orange and Flight of James II 1689, large gold medal by J. Smeltzing.

Ancient, British & World Coins - Auction 120 | C25001

Auction: 12 March 2025 at 10:00 GMT

£20,400

Description

(48.6 mm. 61.07gm). Laureate and draped bust of William right, GULIELM II DG BRITANN R RELIG LIBERTATISO RESTITUT, rev. James II dropping his crown and his hated advisor Father Petre carrying the young prince, accompanied by the snakes of discord, flee from the lightning bolts issuing from an orange tree on which is suspended the English royal arms, above 'ITE MISSA EST', Depart, you are dismissed, below INAUGURATIS MAIESTATIBUS EIECTO PAPATU, EX?PULSA TYRANNIDE BRITANNIA FELIX 1698, Their Majesties crowned, the Papacy ejected, Tyranny expelled, Britain happy 1689. (MI I 671/43). Good Extremely Fine with much original lustre – however, edge knocks on left hand edge. Of the highest rarity "RRRR", unique! Unrecorded in gold and this would appear to be the only specimen known in this metal!!!

Footnote

Ex. collection Charles Roger († 1968). From a private purchase from J. Schulman August 1964. This is the only example in gold that Schulman have ever had for sale. Their archives report a specimen that was offered to them by Spink in 1959 and given the relatively short period of time between this offer of the medal to them by Spink and the purchase of a similar piece from them by Roger, it is almost certain that these two medals are one and the same.

William & Mary (1689 – 1694) Coronation of William of Orange and Flight of James II 1689, large gold medal by J. Smeltzing.