Dassier%27s Kings and Queens

(This section updated on Wednesday, August 13, 2008)
I invite you to visit my on-line store:
http://prostores2.megawebservers.com/hedleybetts_com/StoreFront.bok

Jean Dassier, of Geneva, 1676-1763, was one of the most enterprising and prolific medaliists of the eighteenth century. He published his series of the medals of the Kings and Queens of England in 1731, dedicating it to George II. The medals were available individually and as complete sets. They were struck in bronzed-copper, damascened copper (the relief gilded in contrast to bronzed fields) and silver. Individual damascened and silver examples are rare, complete sets are of great rarity. The dies for the medals were eventually purchased by Sir Edward Thomason of Birmingham. He reissued the medals circa 1820. New obverse dies were also modelled after the originals and used to strike sets in whitemetal with new reverses that carried an inscription describing notable events of the reign of the individual depicted on the obverse.

WILLIAM I, THE CONQUEROR (Reigned 1066-1087)

WILLIAM I, 1066-1087. By Jean Dassier. AE 41mm. Obv: bust of William I, facing three-quarters right, in armor and wearing a winged helmet (symbollic of the swiftness of the conquest). Leg: GULIELMUS . I . CONQUAESTOR . D . G . ANG . REX. (William I, the conqueror, by the grace of God, king of England). Rev: An urn-shaped monument, on the pedestal of which are seated a captive and Angland lamenting her subjection. The pedestal is decorated with a bas-relief representing the surrender of the keys of London to William. MI I page 2, Eimer 1. Extremely fine. $75

WILLIAM II, RUFUS, Reigned 1087-1100

WILLIAM II, 1087-1100. By Jean Dassier. AE 41mm. Obv: Bust of William II facing three-quarters left, crowned, in mail and a mantle. Legend: GULIELMUS . II . D . G . ANG . REX. (William II, by the grace of God, king of England. Rev: A casket-formed tombs; a cherub's head and crossed torches adorn one end; on the other end are a Faun's mask and two leafless branches. Exergue: NAT. 1060. COR. 1087. MORT. 1100 (Bron 1060, crowned 1087, died 1100). MI I page 2. Eimer 2. Extremely fine. $75

HENRY I, 1100-1135. By Jean Dassier. AE 41mm. Obv: Crowned bust of Henry I, crowned in armor and wearing a mantle, viewed from behind with his head turned three-quarters left. Leg: HENRICUS . I . D . G. ANGLIAE . REX. (Henry I, by the grace of God, King of England). Rev: A tomb decorated with a bas-relief representing Anslem, Archbishop of Canterbury paying homage to Henry I. Exergue: NAT. 1070. COR. 1100. MORT 1135 (Born 1070, crowned 1100, died 1135). MI vol. I page 2, Eimer 3. Extremely fine. $75

STEPHEN, 1135-1154. By Jean Dassier. AE 41mm. Obv: Bust of Stephen, in armor and a plumed helmet, facing left. Leg: STEPHANUS D . G . ANGLIAE REX. (Stephen, by the grace of GOD, King of England. Rev: A tomb, on which is a winged infant, amid military trophies, leaning on globe, and holding a wreath, in allusion to Stephen's military character. On the sides are two bas-reliefs: one of them representing the battle of Lincoln, where Stephen was made prisoner; the other, his mother is supplicating his release from the Empress Maud. Two spectators stand to the left of the monument and a tree gorws to the right. Exergue: NAT. 1105. COR. 1135. MORT 1154. (bORN 1105, CROWNED 1135, DIED 1154). (The date of Stephen's birth is erroneous, he was actually born in 1096). MI volume I, page 3. A couple of slight spots, otherwise extremely fine. $65

HENRY II, 1154-1189. By Jean Dassier. AE 41mm. Obv: Bust of Henry II, facing right, wearing armor, a mantle and a crowned helmet. Legend: HENRICUS . II . D . G . ANG ET HIB . REX. (Henry II, by the grace of God, king of England and Ireland). Rev: A monument, on the pediment of which is the king kneeling at the shrine of Thomas Becket. Inscription on the monument: NATUS 1133 / CORONAT. 1155 / MORT. 1189 (Born 1133, crowned 1155, died 1189). A warrior seats at the foot of the monument amid military trophies. M I page 3, Eimer 5. Extremely fine. $70

RICHARD I, 1189-1199. By Jean Dassier. AE 41mm. Obv: Bust of Richard I, in armor, mantle and a helmet, facing three-quarters right. Legend: RICHARDUS . I . D .G . ANG . HIB . ET . CYPRI . REX (Richard I, by the grace of God, king of England, Ireland and Cyprus. Rev: A monument with the crowns of England and Cyprus on the corners.; on either side in bas-relief a lion trampling upon a stag and menacing another animal, in allusion to the name of Lion Heart. Above is a figure of Fame reclinin on clouds and holding a palm branch and trumpet, symbolical of the victories and military career of the king. Exergue: NAT . 1157 . COR. 1189. MORT. 1199 (Born 1157, crowned 1189, died 1199). MI I, page 3. Extremely fine. $70

JOHN, 1199-1216. By Jean Dassier. AE 41mm. Obv: Crowned bust, in a mantle, facing left. Leg: IOANNES D. G. ANG . ET . HIB . REX (John, by the grace of God, king of England and Ireland). Rev: A monument decorated with an oval tabletrepresenting the King's submission to Pandulph, the Pope's Legate. Below is the Papal tiara resting on a thunderbolt. Exergue: NAT. 1166. COR. 1199. MORT. 1216 (born 1166, crowned 1199, died 1216). MI vol. I page 4. Extremely fine. $75

HENRY III, 1216-1272. By Jean Dassier. AE 41mm. Obv: Bust of Henry, facing three-quarters right, in armor, mantle and a crown. Legend: HENRICUS . III . D . G . ANG . ET . HIB . REX. (Henry III, by the grace of God, king of England and Ireland. Rev: A square monument, with fluted pilasters and niches containing statues. Two figures and a tree on one side and a landscapre on the other. Exergue: NAT . 1206. COR. 1216. MORT. 1272. (Born 1206, crowned 1216, died 1272 {the correct year of Henry's birth was 1207]). MI I page 4. Extremely fine. $70

EDWARD I (REIGNED 1272-1307)

EDWARD I, 1772-1307. By Jean Dassier. AE 41mm. Obv: Buat of Edward I, in armor, mantle and a crown, facing three-quarters left. Legend: EDOUARD . I . D . G. ANG . ET .HIB . REX. (Edward I, by the grace of God, king of England and Ireland). Rev: A circular temple with three niches containing statues of Minerva (for Edward's Wisdom and military genius), Prudence and Hercules (an allusion to the magnitude and variety of Edward's enterprizes). At one side History is recording Edward's deeds while two onlookers admire the monument on the other side. Exergue: NAT. 1230 . COR. 1272. MORT. 1307. (Born 1230, crowned 1272, died 1307). MI I 5/2, Eimer 10. Several spots, otherwise extremely fine. $45

EDWARD II (Reigned 1307-1327)

EDWARD II, 1307-1327. By Jean Dassier. AE 41mm. Obv: Crowned, mantled bust of Edward II facing right. Legend: EDOUARD II D . G. ANG . ET . HIB .REX. (Edward II, by the grace of God, king of England and Ireland). Rev: A sepulchral monument decorated with a bas-relief representing Gournay and Maltravers about to cover up the body of the monarch, after his murder. Exergue: NAT. 1284. COR. 1307. MORT 1327 (Born 1284, crowned 1307, died 1327). MII page 5, Eimer 11. Extremely fine. $75

EDWARD III (Reigned 1327-1377)

EDWARD III, 1327-1377. By Jean Dassier. AE 41mm. Obv: Bust of Edward III, facing three-quarters left, in armor and wearing a laureate helmet. Legend: EDOUARD . III . D . G . ANG . FR . ET . HIB . REX. (Edward III, by the grace of God, king of England, France and Ireland). Rev: A circular temple with a niche containing a statue of Mars, symbolic of the king. On the base stand two putti one holding the Garter, the other a shield and palm branch allusions to the king's establishing the Order of the Garter and his victories. The base is inscribed: NAT. 1312.. COR. 1327. MORT. 1377 (Born 1312, crowned 1327, died 1377). MI I 9/8, Eimer 12. Extremely fine. $70

RICHARD II, 1377-1399. By Jean Dassier. AE 41mm. Obv: Crowned bust facing right. Leg: RICHARDVS . II . D . G . ANG . FR . ET . HIB . REX. (Richard II, by the grace of God, King of England, France and Ireland). Rev: A sepulchral monument, on which are two infants, one holding a cypress, the other a skull and a dagger, an allusion to the King's death. A bas-relief on the base represents him in the dungeon of Pontefract Castle with a crown, sword, and a broken scepter at his feet. Exergue: nat> 1366. COR. 1377. MORT. 1399. (Born 1366, crowned 1377, died 1399). MI volume 1, page 10/2. Extremely fine. $75

HENRY IV, 1399-1413. By Jean Dassier. AE 41mm. Obv: Bust, facing left, in a doublet and wearing a crown and a drape on his head. Leg: HENRICUS . V . D . G . ANG . FR . ET . HIB . REX. (Henry V, by the grace of God, king of England, France and Ireland). Rev: A sepulcharal monument, on which Death reclines amid military trophies. A bas-relief on the base depicts Prince John of Lancaster ordering the rebel chiefs to be arrested. Inscription on the pedestal of the monument: NATUS. 1366. CORONAT. 1399. MORT 1413. (Born 1366, crowned 1399, died 1413). MI volume 1, page 12/6. Extremely fine. $75

HENRY V, 1413-1422. By Jean Dassier. AE 41mm. Obv: Bust, in armor and a helmet, facing right. Leg: HENRICUS . V . D . G. ANG . FR . ET . HIB . REX. (Henry V, by the grace of God, king of England, France, and Ireland). Rev: A monument in the form of a sarcophagus on which Henry reclines amid captured arms. Fame is crowning him and sounding his praises. Inscription on the base of the monument: NATUS 1388. CORONAT. 1413. MORT. 1422 (Born 1388, crowned 1413, died 1422). MI volume 1, page 6. Extremely fine. $75

HENRY VI, 1422-1471. By Jean Dassier. AE 41mm. Obv: Crowned, robed, bust of Henry VI facing left. Legend: HENRICUS . VI . D. G. ANG . FR . ET . HIB . REX. (Henry VI, by the grace of God, king of England, France and Ireland). Rev: A monumental temple in which is a niche with a statue of Time holding a crown in one hand and manacles in the other, an allusion to the throne and the prison occupied by Henry VI. The base is inscribed: NAT. 1421. COR. 1422. MORT. 1471 (Born 1421, crowned 1422, died 1471). MI I 16/6, Eimer 17. Some excess metal, from being stuck with a rusty die, on the base of the monument on the reverse. Extremely fine. $70

EDWARD IV, 1461-1483. By Jean Dassier. AE 41mm. Obv: Bust of Edward IV, in armor and a helmet, facing right. Leg: EDOUARD . IV . D . G . ANG . FR . ET . HIB . REX. (Edward IV, by the grace of God, king of England, France and Ireland). Rev: A monument, decorated with a figure of Fortune between a dismasted ship and another sailing before a gale, an allusion to the trials of the king's life. Exergue: NAT. 1441. COR. 20 IUN 1461. MORT. 9. APRIL. 1483. (Born 1441, crowned 20 June 1461, died 9 April 1483) . MI I 18/4, Eimer 20. A spot at 11 o'clock on the obverse and 5 o'clock on the reverse, otherwise extremely fine. $60

EDWARD V, 1483. By Jean Dassier. AE 41mm. Obv: Draped bust of Edward V facing left. Legend: EDOUARD . V . D . G . ANG . FR . ET . HIB . REX. (Edward V, by the grace of God, king of England, France and Ireland). Rev: A monumnet on the top of which are two infants embracing in allusion to the affection of the King and his brother. In front is a bas-relief representing the murder of the young princes. The base is inscribed: NAT. 8. OCTOB. 1470. MORT 1483 (born 8 October 1470, died 1483). MI I p.18, Eimer 21. Extremely fine. $70

RICHARD III, 1483-1485. By Jean Dassier. AE 41mm. Obv: Diademed bust facing right. Rev: A sarcophagus, on which is lying a fury holding a crown and a dagger, the object of Richard's ambition and the means of his obtaining; hear her are the bodies of the murdered princes. At the side a suspended drapery represents the battle of Bosworth. Exergue: CORONAT . 6 . IVL. 1493. MORT. 22. AVG. 1485. (Crowned July 6, 1483, died August 22, 1485). MI vol. I page19. Extremely fine. $75

HENRY VIII, 1509-1547. By Jean Dassier. AE 41mm. Obv: Almost facing bust in a cap. Leg: HENRICUS . VIII . D . G . ANG . FR . ET HIB . REX. (Henry VIII, by the grace of God, king of England, France and Ireland). Rev: A square monument; at the side a bas-relief representing Hercules demolishing an altar, on which are the Papal tiara and keys; behind is the fire to which Henry consigned those who refused to acknowledge his supremacy; at the foot is Hymen, desponding, holding a lighted torch, symbolizing the one marriage undisolved at his death, while five extinguished torches at his feet rypify his previous marriages. MI I 52/54. Extremely fine. $90

EDWARD VI, 1547-1553. By Jean Dassier. AE 41mm. Obv: Bust of Edward VI, facing three-quarters left, in a hat with a feather, a doublet and a cloak with an ermine collar. Leg: EDOUARD . VI . D . G. ANG . FR. ET. HIB. REX. (Edward VI, by the grace of God, King of England, France and Ireland). Rev: A monument decorated with festoons of roses and a bas-relief of an infant strangling a dragon, in imitation of the story of the infant Hercules strangling the serpents. MI volume I, page 63/21. Extremely fine. $90

MARY I, 1553-1558. By Jean Dassier. AE 41mm. Obv: Bust of Mary facing three-quarters right. Leg: MARIA . I . D . G. ANG . FR . ET. HIB . REGINA. (Mary, by the grace of God, Queen of England, France and Ireland). Rev: A monument, seated before it, a figure of Popery holding a tiara and a cross. On the side of the monument hangs a medallion portrait of the Pope suirrounded by arms and implements of torture. Exergue: NATA . 18 . FEBRE . 1516 . cor . J . OCTOB . 1553 . MORT 17 . NOU . 1558. (Born February 18, 1516, crowned 1 October, 1553, died November 17, 1558). MI volume I, page 89/59. Extremely fine. $90

ELIZABETH I, 1558-1603. By Jean Dassier. AE 41mm. Obv: Bust of Elizabeth, in a high collar, facing three-quarters, left. Leg: ELISABETH . D . G. ANG . FR . ET . HIB . REGINA. (Elizabeth, by the grace of God, Queen of England, France and Ireland). Rev: A monument with a bas-relief depicting the destruction of the Spanish armada. Relgion on one side and Minerva on the other. Exergue: NATA . 7 SEPT . 1533 . COR . 15 . IAN . 1559 . M . 24 . MART . 1602 (Born September 7, 1533, crowned January 15, 1559, DIED March 24 1602 [sic]). MI volume I, page 185/193. Extremely fine. $90

CHARLES I, 1625-1649. By Jean Dassier. AE 41mm. Obv: Bust of Charles I, facing left, in armor and an ermine mantle. Leg: CAROLUS . I . D . G . M . BR . FR . ET .HIB. REX (Charles I, by the grace of God, king of Great Britain, France and Ireland). Rev: .An urn-shpaed monument, on which Britannia is seated and raising a pall under which appears the amputated head of the king. At one side is the axe and at the other is a rose fallen from its stem. Exergue: NAT . 13 . NOV . 1600 . COR . 2 . FEBR . 1626 . M .30 .IANV . 1649 (Born 13 November 1600, crowned 2 February 1626, died 30 January 1649). MI I 353/212, Eimer 164. A spot at 11 o'clock on the obverse, otherwise extremely fine. $90

OLIVER CROMWELL. By Jean Dassier. AE 38mm. Obv: Laureate, draped bust facing left. Legend: OLIVARIUS CROMWELL. Rev: A tomb decorated with the arms of Cromwell surmounted by a helmet between branches of palm and laurel; the side is inscribed: ANGLIAE . SCO . ET HIB . PROTECTOR (Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland); four putti, one points to Cromwell's titles, a second holds a mirorindicating prudence and is weeping over his death, typified by a skull. Another represents his success by a laurel wreath and the unanimity of the kingdom by a bundle of wands bound together. A fourth, as Hercules, symbolizes his power by the club and the fruits of his labors by three apples (the three kingdoms). Dassier included Cromwell in his series for the sake of continuity, but made the medal smller to distinguish it from those of the monarchs. MI I 435/87, Eimer 203. Slight spots, otherwise extremely fine. $120

CHARLES II, 1660-1685. By Jean Dassier. AE 42mm. Obv: Laureate, armored bust of Charles II facing right. Leg: CAROLUS . II . D . G. M . BR . FR . ET . HIB . REX. (Charles II, by the grace of God, king of Great Britain, France and Ireland). Rev: Mercury seated before a tomb, on which he is inscribing: NAT . 29 . MAI . 1630 . C . 23 . APR . . 1661 . M . 16 . FEBR . 1685(Born 29 May 1830, crowned 23 April 1661, died 16 February 1685). The base is decorated with a bas-relief of Cupid presenting a wreath to Venus. MI I 602/291. Slight traces of die rust, extremely fine. $75

JAMES II, 1685-1688. By Dassier. AE 42mm. Obv: Laureate, armored bust of James II facing left. Leg: IACOBUS . II . D . G . MAG . BR . FR . ET . HIB : REX (James II, by the grace of God, king of Great Britain, France and Ireland). Rev: Religion is seated on a square tombm mouring amid various symbols of the Catholic Church. The front is inscribed: NAT. 13. OCT . 1633 . CORONAT . 23. APR . 1685 . MORT . 5 . SEPT . 1701. (Born 13 OCtober 1633, crowned 23 April 1685, died 5 September 1701). MI II 215/537. Nearly extremely fine. $75

GEORGE I, 1714-1727. by Jean Dassier. AE 42mm. Slight spots on the obverse, otherwise extremely fine. $60

CAROLINE, Wife of George II. By Jean Dassier. AE 42mm. Some staining on the reverse near the rim and onto the edge, otherwise extremely fine. $40