Photo Credit: COINS-OF-THE-WORLD-Bought-and-Sold
Silver George IV Coronation Medal from 1821
Buy It Now Price: $292.50 (price as of 2017; item no longer available)
Pros:
-Here is an excellent example of an official George IV coronation medal, struck in silver by the renowned Italian medal engraver Benedetto Pistrucci in 1821.
-This George IV coronation medal measures 35 mm (1.38 inches) in diameter and weighs about 17 grams (0.55 troy ounces)
-The official George IV coronation medal shows a bust of the new king on its obverse. The reverse depicts a coronation scene with George IV being crowned by the winged angel of peace while personifications of the British realms – Britannia, Scotia and Hibernia – swear allegiance to him.
-Benedetto Pistrucci was a famous Italian gem, medal and coin engraver who lived from 1783 to 1855. In 1815 Pistrucci immigrated to London where, due to his superlative technical skills, he was soon appointed as the Chief-medallist to the Royal British Mint. He is perhaps best known for having created the iconic design of Saint George slaying the dragon that has graced the reverse of British gold sovereigns uninterrupted from 1817 to the present.
-King George IV ruled the United Kingdom from 1820 to 1830 and was best known for indulging in extravagant excess. He drank too much, kept many mistresses and racked up massive debts. In keeping with his lifelong theme of personal excess, George IV’s coronation cost a staggering £243,000, the equivalent of a sizable fortune in early 19th century Britain.
-Almost every British monarch for the last several hundred years has had official, and oftentimes several varieties of unofficial, coronation medals struck upon their ascension to the throne. This George IV coronation medal is official, which is generally more desirable than an unofficial version. It is also struck in silver, which has more cachet than bronze versions of the same medal.
–Antique European art medals are extremely undervalued in today’s asset market. I especially like coronation medals for their royal associations. In light of the fact that this George IV coronation medal is also almost 200 years old and struck in solid silver, the asking price of $292.50 seems a bargain.
Cons:
-If you’re willing to wait, you might be able to find a similar George IV coronation medal in the low to mid $200 range. I don’t think that is a sure thing by any stretch of the imagination, however. In any case, you can always make a lower offer to the seller if you think $292.50 is too expensive.
-This coronation medal is on the smaller side. Many antique art medals significantly exceed the size and weight of a U.S. silver dollar. This is not one of those medals.
-There is very little else negative that I can say about this piece. An investment-grade, 200 year old silver British coronation medal in good condition for less than $300? Sign me up!
