We had some hard choices in PCI2010. Look at this beauty!!

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There were a lot of fantastic coins in PCI2010. I sure hope that we will make PCI2013 even bigger and better. Let's photograph those beauties and prepare to enter them.

 

Saor Alba's Scottish Coronation Medal by Nicholas Briot, handed out by King Charles I in 1633

A fascinating memento from Scottish and British history, this AR medal by Nicholas Briot was struck in 1633 to commemorate Charles I's very belated Scottish coronation that year. His coronation should have been much earlier, he ascended the throne in 1625, but he carelessly delayed said coronation until finally giving into demands that it be done in 1633. His introduction of Anglican liturgy into the coronation ceremony did little to endear him to his Scottish subjects, and things went decidedly sour thereafter. On his return trip to London his baggage including many crown jewels were lost in the Firth of Forth, just off of Burntisland. Subsequently alleged witches were brought to trial in London, on charges of causing the shipwreck. Things went down for Charles I from there on, both in Scotland and in England.

 

This lovely medal, with a lifelike portrait of the monarch, was commissioned to Nicholas Briot, a famous and skilled coiner. This medal was struck in a screw press, and is actually much better detailed as a result. One of these medals was struck piedfort in gold, which was presented to the King, he kept it as a pocket piece until his death in 1649. The silver examples like this one were thrown by the king to the crowds at the coronation ceremony.

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Recently I bought a Simon de Passe medal with Charles I and Queen Maria - I cannot find that I have imaged it yet so I must get to work.