Lot 4318
Great Britain. Death and Memorial Medal, 1649. Eimer 158. Medallic Illustrations volume 1, 341/190. By R. Rawlins. Dated 1648, in the old style. Obverse, armoured and draped bust of King left, CAROLVS.D:G: MAG: BRIT. FRAN: ET HIB REX. FIDEI. DEFENSOR. Reverse, island rock buffeted by a severe storm. IMMOTA. TRIVMPHANS ('Triumphing unmoved'). Pristine mint state with superb dark blue toning over mirror fields. Rarely seen these days in high grade. Much finer than the Eimer catalogue plate coin, and presumed to be the finest known specimen. This medal appears to be struck on a slightly heavier (piedfort) flan than usual (approximately.10 grams) and is probably an early striking or presentation piece. Excessively rare in this condition. NGC graded MS-64. WINGS Approved.
* This medal, the theme of which is the fortitude of King Charles I in the face of terrible danger, draws from this passage in Dryden's Aeneid.
'But, like a rock unmov'd, a rock that braves.
The raging tempest and the rising waves,
Propp'd on himself he stands: his solid sides
Washed off the sea-weeds, and the sounding tides,
So stood the pious prince unmov'd; and long
Sustain'd the madness of the noisy throng.'. Estimated Value $1,600 - 1,800
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