A Guide to the Exhibition of English Medals

by British Museum. Department of Coins and Medals; Herbert A. Grueber

10. Thomas Cromwell, 1538. Obv. Bust l., wearing cap and gown trimmed with fur. IMAGO D. THOMÆ CRVMVELLI REG'. SECRET'. AN^o. 38. Rev. Within garter, armorial shield of Cromwell, two coats quarterly: coronet attached to rim for suspension. Silver-gilt. Size 2·05. Cast and chased.

Thomas Cromwell, born 1490, was secretary to Wolsey, and afterwards promoted by Henry VIII. to the highest offices of the State; created Earl of Essex April 1540 and beheaded in July of same year.

11. Michael Mercator, 1539. Obv. Bust, three quarters l., wearing cap, fur cloak, &c. A REGE ANGLORVM PRIMI MILITIS CREATI EX VENLO EFFIGIES. Rev. MICHAEL MERCATOR ÆTATIS SVÆ XLVIII. GRATIA DEO ET REGI. MDXXXIX.; Engraved. Silver. Size 1·8. Cast and chased.

In 1528 Michael Mercator, or, as Sir Thomas More in writing to Wolsey calls him, Michael the Gueldrois, was sent to Henry VIII. by Mons. de Ysselstein, on a confidential mission respecting the affairs of the Low Countries. Again in 1538 in two letters of Floris d'Egmont, Count of Buren and Lord of Ysselstein, one to Henry VIII. and the other to Cromwell, we find him requesting the kind reception of Michael Mercator. These letters also refer to Mercator's artistic skill, and we learn from Puteanus or Du Puy that he excelled in medallic portraits, and that this medal, which is of contemporary workmanship, was executed by himself. It was on this second visit to England that he received the order of Knighthood from the King.

12. Another. Similar: bust in profile l., and reverse inscription in relief. Lead. Size 1·8. Cast.

EDWARD VI. 1547—1553.

13. Portrait, 1547. Obv. Half-length figure of King l., wearing cap with feather, doublet, chain, &c.; in r. hand, scroll. EDVARDVS V. (sic) DEI GRA. AN. REX; incuse. No reverse. Lead. Size 2·9. Cast and chased.

A contemporary cast in lead, possibly a proof from a silver plate. This medal is unique, and was obtained by exchange from the Museum at Geneva.

14. Coronation, 1547. Obv. Half-length figure of King r., crowned, in armour, holding sword and orb. Inscription in Latin in three circles giving his titles, date of coronation MDXLVII. XX. FEBRVA. &c. Rev. Two inscriptions, one in Hebrew, the other in Greek of the same import as that on obverse; above, Lambhith, i.e. Lambeth. Gold. Size 2·35. Cast and chased.

The first coronation medal executed in England. The inscriptions are similar to those on the medals of Henry VIII., struck to commemorate his supremacy over the church. (Nos. [4]-5.)