A Guide to the Exhibition of English MedalsBritish Museum. Department of Coins and Medals
History
A Guide to the Exhibition of English Medals
British Museum. Department of Coins and Medals
Medals -- Great Britain
15. Condition of England, 1554? _Obv._ Half-length figure
of Queen l., wearing coif with veil, embroidered gown,
pendant pearl, &c. MARIA I. REG. ANGL. FRANC. ET HIB. FIDEI
DEFENSATRIX. IAC. TREZ. _Rev._ Mary, as Peace, seated r.,
holding olive branch and palm, and burning instruments of war;
behind, group of suppliants; in distance, circular temple.
CECIS VISVS TIMIDIS QVIES. Copper. Size 2·6. Cast and chased.
The design on the reverse of this medal is probably emblematic of the
condition of England. By Evelyn and others it was supposed to refer to
the suppression of Wyat's rebellion, and to the encouragement given
to the Papal party. It was probably executed by Trezzo during his
residence at Madrid.
16. Portraits of Mary and Philip, 1555. _Obv._ Half-length
figure of Queen l., same as preceding. _Rev._ Half-length
figure of Philip II., king of Spain r., in armour. PHILIPPVS
REX, &c., IAC. TREZZO F. 1555. Copper-gilt. Size 2·6. Cast and
chased.
This medal was executed some little time after the marriage of Mary and
Philip in 1554.
17—18. Another. _Obv._ Bust of Queen l., wearing coif with veil
and embroidered gown. MARIA I. REG. ANGL. &c. _Rev._ Bust of
Philip r., in armour. PHILIP. D. G. HISP. REX. Gold and silver.
Size 1·45. Cast and chased.
The portraits are similar to those on the previous medals.
ELIZABETH. 1558—1603.
19. Badge of Garter. _Obv._ Bust of Queen l., wearing coronet
of pearls, large ruff, &c. Inscr. of Garter. _Rev._ Ornamented
shield, royal arms supported by angel. Inscr. of Garter.
Silver. Oval. Size 1·9. Cast and chased.
Probably executed for presentation on special occasions.
20. "Phœnix Badge," 1574. _Obv._ Bust of Queen l., wearing
pearls in hair, ruff, &c. ELIZABETHA D. G. ANG. &c. Around—
"Hei mihi quod tanto virtus perfusa decore"
"Non habet eternos inviolata dies."
_Rev._ Phœnix amid flames: above, monogram of Queen, crowned,
and 1574 engraved roughly; around,
"Felices Arabes, mundi quibus unica phœnix"
"Phoenicem reparat depereundo novam"
"O miseros Anglos, mundi quibus unica phœnix"
"Ultima fit nostro, tristia fata, solo."
Silver. Size 1·75. Cast and chased.
The legends may indicate the apprehension for the Queen's life
occasioned by the severe plague, which visited London in 1574.
21. Defeat of the Spanish Armada, &c., 1588—9. _Obv._ Bust
of Queen in high relief, facing, crowned, wearing high ruff,
&c., and holding sceptre; and orb. DITIOR IN TOTO NON ALTER
CIRCVLVS ORBE. _Rev._ Bay-tree uninjured by lightning on
inhabited island inscribed, NON IPSA PERICVLA TANGVNT: border
of leaves. Gold. Oval. Size 2·35. Cast and chased; with ring
for suspension.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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