A coronation medal of Edward VI (1547-1553)
Henry Basse, Robert Pitt, John Lawrence, 1547
Created in 1547 to commemorate the accession of Edward VI, this die-struck silver coronation medal shows the nine-year-old king dressed in a crown and armour and holding a sword and orb.
It is a rare example of the first coronation medal ever to be made in England.
The dies for the medal were executed by the chief engraver of the Tower Mint, Henry Basse, with under engravers Robert Pitt and John Lawrence. The inscription in Latin on the obverse, and in Greek and Hebrew on the reverse, describes Edward as King of England, France and Ireland, defender of the faith, and the supreme head on earth of the Church of England and Ireland. The heading ‘Limbith’ on the reverse suggests that this wording may have originated from Lambeth Palace, possibly scripted by Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, himself.
The Ashmolean’s world-class collection of coins and medals contains nearly 350,000 items, including remarkable holdings of British medals from the Tudor period to the present day.
More information
Title of artwork, date
A coronation medal of Edward VI (1547-1553), 1547
Date supported
2021
Medium and material
Silver
Dimensions
6.5cm diameter
Grant
15000
Total cost
45000
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