Official Coronation Medals of Great Britain
The tradition of issuing official medals for the coronations of British monarchs began in 1603 with the coronation of James I. Initially, these medals were distributed by being thrown into crowds, a practice later discontinued due to the chaos it caused. The medals were relatively small to facilitate this distribution. However, as die-breaking was common, new dies with minor variations were often produced. Many examples listed here show such varieties.
Early medals were struck in silver and gold, with some produced in base metals for public sale. By the coronation of Edward VII, medals were issued in two sizes. Interestingly, no official medal was issued for the coronation of Elizabeth II.
References:
- BHM: Brown, L.E., British Historical Medals, 1760–1960, Volumes 1–3, London.
- Eimer: Christopher Eimer, British Commemorative Medals and Their Values, London, 2010.
- MI: Hawkins, Edward, Medallic Illustrations of the History of Great Britain and Ireland, London, multiple editions.
- Wollaston: Henry Wollaston, British Official Medals for Coronations and Jubilees, Nottingham, 1978.
For unofficial coronation medals, visit the Royalty page.
1603, Official Coronation Medal of James I
Country: England
Artist: Unsigned (possibly by C. Anthony)
Material: Silver, 29mm
Price: $950
SKU: 15835-JG
1626, Official Coronation Medal of Charles I
Country: England
Artist: Nicholas Briot
Material: Silver, 30mm
Price: $950
SKU: 15781-JG
1633, Scottish Coronation of Charles I
Country: Scotland
Artist: Nicholas Briot
Material: Silver, 28mm
Price: $950
SKU: S15c-E0933
1661, Official Coronation Medal of Charles II (Gold)
Country: England
Artist: Thomas Simon
Material: Gold, 29mm
Price: $6,000
SKU: 15824-JG
1685, Official Coronation Medal of Mary of Modena (Wife of James II)
Country: England
Artist: J. Roettiers
Material: Silver, 35mm
Price: $750
SKU: 15842-JH
1603, Official Coronation Medal of James I
Country: England
Artist: Unsigned (possibly by C. Anthony)
Material: Silver, 29mm. $950. Sorry, SOLD
Price: $0.00
SKU: 15835-JG
1626, Official Coronation Medal of Charles I
Country: England
Artist: Nicholas Briot
Material: Silver, 30mm. $950. Sorry, SOLD
Price: $0.00
SKU: 15781-JG
1633, Scottish Coronation of Charles I
Country: Scotland
Artist: Nicholas Briot
Material: Silver, 28mm. $950. Sorry, SOLD
Price: $0.00
SKU: 15c-E0933
1661, Official Coronation Medal of Charles II (Gold)
Country: England
Artist: Thomas Simon
Material: Gold, 29mm. $6,000. Sorry, SOLD
Price: $0.00
SKU: 15824-JG
1685, Official Coronation Medal of Mary of Modena (Wife of James II)
Country: England
Artist: J. Roettiers
Material: Silver, 35mm. $750. Sorry, SOLD
Price: $0.00
SKU: 15842-JH
1761, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF CHARLOTTE. Variety
1761, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF CHARLOTTE. By Lorenz Natter. Silver 34.5mm. Variety varying in minor details such as spacing after the final stop on the obverse. BHM 66. Eimer 696, Wollaston 22. Sorry, SOLD
Price: $0.00
SKU: 15831-JG
1911, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF GEORGE V. Silver 30mm. Cased
1911, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF GEORGE V. By Bertram Mackennel. Silver 30mm. $60. Sorry, SOLD
Price: $0.00
SKU: 15854-JG
1902, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF EDWARD VII. Silver in RM envelope
1902, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF EDWARD VII. By George William DeSaulles. Silver 30mm. $25. Sorry, SOLD
Price: $0.00
SKU: 15887-JG
1727, Great Britain. IMITATION OF THE OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF CAROLINE. Signed T.T.
1727, Great Britain. IMITATION OF THE OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF CAROLINE, WIFE OF GEORGE II. Signed T.T. (Thomas Tibs). Bronze 25mm. Eimer 513, MI II 481/9, Plate CXLVIII/13. $60. Sorry, SOLD
Price: $0.00
SKU: 15788-JG
1727, Great Britain. IMITATION OF THE OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF CAROLINE
1727, Great Britain. IMITATION OF THE OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF CAROLINE. Signed I.G. (after John Croker). AE-gilt 33mm. Apparently unrecorded in MI. $125. Sorry, SOLD
Price: $0.00
SKU: 15848-JG
1727, Great Britain. IMITATION OF THE OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF CAROLINE. Brass
1727, Great Britain. IMITATION OF THE OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF CAROLINE, WIFE OF GEORGE II. Unsigned. Brass 24mm. $45. Sorry, SOLD
Price: $0.00
SKU: 15791-JG
1727, Great Britain. IMITATION OF THE OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF CAROLINE. Signed T.
1727, Great Britain. IMITATION OF THE OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF CAROLINE. By Thomas Tibs (after John Croker). AE 24.5mm. $45. Sorry, SOLD
Price: $0.00
SKU: 15829-JG
1727, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF CAROLINE. Variety
1727, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF CAROLINE. By John Croker. Silver 34mm. Variety
Price: $0.00
SKU: 15806-JG
1761, Great Britain. IMITATION OF THE OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF GEORGE III
1761, Great Britain. IMITATION OF THE OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF GEORGE III. Unsigned (after Lorenz Natter). Silver 35mm. Cf. BHM 21-24, Wollaston 21. $500. Sorry, SOLD
Price: $0.00
SKU: 15828-JG
1702, England. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF QUEEN ANNE. Die variety
1702, England. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF QUEEN ANNE. By John Croker. Silver 35mm.
Price: $0.00
SKU: 15841-JG