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
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