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Medal 2017-251
William & Mary Coronation Medal
Medal 2017-251

William & Mary Coronation Medal

Date1689
Die Cutter Georg Hautsch
Mintmaster Lazarus Gottleib Lauffer
MediumSilver
DimensionsDiameter: 40.5 mm
Credit LineGift of James Melchor
Object number2017-251
DescriptionObverse: Laureate and cuirassed bust of William III facing to the right. WILL . III . D . G . ANG . SCO . FR . ET . HI . REX. PR . AVR . around, G.H below bust.

Reverse: Draped bust of Mary facing to the left, her haid decorated with strads of pearls. MARIA . D . G . ANG . SCO . FR . ET . HI . REGINA . around, LGL below bust.

Edge: CORONAT . D . XI . APRIL . ANNO . MDCLXXXIX around, in raised letters.
Label TextAlways a momentous occasion, a new monarch ascends to the throne of Great Britain amid fanfare and empire-wide celebration. Shortly after the Catholic King James II was ousted during the so-called "Glorious Revolution," his Protestant daughter and her husband the Prince of Orange were crowned as the jointly-ruling King William III and Queen Mary.

By the end of the 17th century, large numbers of commemorative "coronation" medals were struck in various qualities. Those dubbed official were usually of the finest design and execution and were produced in silver and gold. This example, produced in what is now Germany, is a testament to the large demand for William and Mary coronation medals throughout Europe and Britain.

Medallic Illustrations, Vol I, pp.666-667, no.35