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

1603, Official Coronation Medal of James I

 

Country: England

Artist: Unsigned (possibly by C. Anthony)

Material: Silver, 29mm

Price: $950

SKU: 15835-JG 

Add to cart
1626, Official Coronation Medal of Charles

1626, Official Coronation Medal of Charles I

 

Country: England

Artist: Nicholas Briot

Material: Silver, 30mm

Price: $950

SKU: 15781-JG 

Add to cart
1633, Scottish Coronation of Charles

1633, Scottish Coronation of Charles I

 

Country: Scotland

Artist: Nicholas Briot

Material: Silver, 28mm

Price: $950

SKU: S15c-E0933 

Add to cart
1661, Official Coronation Medal of Charles II (Gold)

1661, Official Coronation Medal of Charles II (Gold)

 

Country: England

Artist: Thomas Simon

Material: Gold, 29mm

Price: $6,000

SKU: 15824-JG 

Add to cart
1685, Official Coronation Medal of Mary of Modena (Wife of James II)

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 

Add to cart

1821, Great Britain. CORONATION OF GEORGE IV. Unsigned. Silver 34mm. BHM 1083 variety.

1821, Great Britain. CORONATION OF GEORGE IV. Unsigned (possibly by J. G. Hancock). Silver 34mm. BHM 1083. Variety with a loop for suspension (unrecorded thus). In its original case. $450

Price: $450.00

SKU: 62320=JD

1821, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF GEORGE IV. Bronze

1821, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF GEORGE IV. By Benedetto Pistrucci. Bronze 35mm. $125. Sorry, SOLD

Price:

SKU: 15819-JG

1821, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF GEORGE IV. Cased

1821, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF GEORGE IV. By Pistrucci. Bronze 35mm. Sorry, SOLD

Price: $0.00

SKU: 15855-JG

1831, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF WILLIAM IV. BHM 1475

1831, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF WILLIAM IV. By W. Wyon after F. Chantrey. Bronze 33mm. $150. Sorry, SOLD

Price: $0.00

SKU: 4609-18003-10A

1831, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF WILLIAM IV. BHM 1475. Silver

1831, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF WILLIAM IV. By William Wyon after Francis Chantrey. Silver 33mm. Sorry, SOLD

Price: $0.00

SKU: S15-5300

1831, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF WILLIAM IV. Cased

1831, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF WILLIAM IV. By W. Wyon after F. Chantrey. Bronze 33mm. $175. Sorry, SOLD

Price: $0.00

SKU: 15856-JG

1838, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF VICTORIA. BHM 1801

1838, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF VICTORIA. By Benedetto Pistrucci.Silver 35mm. Sorry, SOLD

Price: $0.00

SKU: S20-5301

1838, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF VICTORIA. By Benedetto Pistrucci. Bronze

1838, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF VICTORIA. By Benedetto Pistrucci. Bronze 35mm. $150. Sorry, SOLD

Price: $0.00

SKU: 15833-JG

1902, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF EDWARD VII. (Without case)

1902, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF EDWARD VII. By George William DeSaulles. AE?55mm. Sorry, SOLD

Price: $0.00

SKU:

1902, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF EDWARD VII. (Without case)

1902, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF EDWARD VII. By George William DeSaulles. AE?55mm. Sorry, SOLD

Price: $0.00

SKU: 10399581

1902, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF EDWARD VII. BHM 3737. Bronze cased.

1902, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF EDWARD VII. By George William DeSaulles. Bronze 55mm. $60. Sorry, SOLD (January, 2022)

Price: $0.00

SKU: 15858-JG

1902, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF EDWARD VII. By George William DeSaulles. AE 55mm.

1902, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF EDWARD VII. By George William DeSaulles. AE?55mm.

Price: $60.00

SKU: 10399745

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

1902, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF EDWARD VII. Small silver.

1902, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF EDWARD VII. By George William DeSaulles. Silver 35mm. Sorry, SOLD

Price: $0.00

SKU: 10399600

1911, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF GEORGE V. BHM 4022. Bronze. Cased

1911, Great Britain. OFFICIAL CORONATION MEDAL OF GEORGE V. By Bertam MacKennel. Bronze 50mm. $75. Sorry, SOLD

Price: $0.00

SKU: JG15857-3A