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
1727, Great Britain. MULE OF IMITATION OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDALS OF ANNE (Obverse) AND CAROLINE (Reverse).
1727, Great Britain. MULE OF IMITATION OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDALS OF ANNE (Obverse) AND CAROLINE (Reverse). By Thomas Tibs (after John Croker). Bronze 24mm. $125. Sorry, SOLD
Price: $0.00
SKU: 15836-JG
1727, Great Britain. IMITATION OF THE OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF GEORGE II. Unsigned
1727, Great Britain. IMITATION OF THE OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF GEORGE II. Unsigned (After John Croker). AE 33.5mm. Eimer 511, MI II 479/5. $75. Sorry, SOLD
Price: $0.00
SKU: 15782-JG
1937, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF GEORGE VI. In its original box
1937, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF GEORGE VI. By Percy Metcalfe. Silver 30mm. $35. Sorry, SOLD
Price: $0.00
SKU: JG15860-3A
1761, Great Britain. IMITATION OF THE OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF GEORGE III silver-colored
1761, Great Britain. IMITATION OF THE OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF GEORGE III. Unsigned (after Lorenz Natter). Silver-colored base metal 35mm. $150. Sorry, SOLD
Price: $0.00
SKU: 15818-JG
1727, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF GEORGE II. Variety
1727, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF GEORGE II. By John Croker. Silver 34mm. Variety. $300. Sorry, SOLD
Price: $0.00
SKU: 15825-JG
1727, IMITATION OF THE OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF GEORGE II.
1727, Great Britain. IMITATION OF THE OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF GEORGE II. By Thomas Tibs (After John Croker). Bronze 34.5mm.
Price: $0.00
SKU: 15785-JG
1727, IMITATION OF THE OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF GEORGE II. Brass
1727, Great Britain. IMITATION OF THE OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF GEORGE II. Unsigned. Brass 24mm. $35. Sorry, SOLD
Price: $0.00
SKU: 15790-JG
1761, Great Britain. IMITATION OF THE OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF CHARLOTTE.
1761, Great Britain. IMITATION OF THE OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF CHARLOTTE. By Lorenz Natter. Bronze 33.5mm. $125. Sorry, SOLD
Price: $0.00
SKU: 15807-JG
1714, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF GEORGE I. Variety with stops.
1714, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF GEORGE I. By John Croker. Silver 34mm. $300. Sorry, SOLD
Price: $0.00
SKU: 15879-JG
1937, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF GEORGE VI. Small silver with matt finish
1937, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF GEORGE VI. By Percy Metcalfe. Silver 32mm. $60. Sorry, SOLD
Price: $0.00
SKU: 15851-JG
1911, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF GEORGE V. Bronze
1911, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF GEORGE V. By Bertam MacKennel. Bronze 51mm. $50. Sorry, SOLD
Price: $0.00
SKU: 15877-JG
1702, England. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF QUEEN ANNE. Another die variety
1702, England. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF QUEEN ANNE. By John Croker. Silver 35mm. $300. Sorry, SOLD
Price: $0.00
SKU: 15826-JG
1702 IMITATION OF THE OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF ANNE
1702, England. IMITATION OF THE OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF ANNE. Unsigned (After John Croker). Bronze 25.5mm. $60
Price: $0.00
SKU: 15783-JG
1727, CORONATION OF GEORGE II AND CAROLINE.
1727, Great Britain. GEORGE II AND CAROLINE. (Mule of the obverse of the official coronation medals). By John Croker. Silver 35mm. Apparently unrecorded. $750. Sorry, SOLD
Price: $0.00
SKU: 15839-JG
1727, Great Britain. IMITATION OF THE OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF GEORGE II. By Tibs
1727, Great Britain. IMITATION OF THE OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF GEORGE II. By Thomas Tibs (after John Croker). Bronze 35mm. $50. Sorry, SOLD
Price: $0.00
SKU: 15900-9S