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Auction: 24123 - British and World Coins and Medals featuring the Pritchard Collection of 18th Century Provincial Tokens and Commemorative Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 965

Accession of Anne Official AR Medal, 8 March 1702, by John Croker for the Royal Mint, ANNA • D : G : MAG : BR : FR : ET • HIB : REGINA •, crowned and draped bust left, rev. ENTIRELY ENGLISH, heart surrounded by crowned wreath of laurel and oak branches, all set on pediment inscribed ATAVIS REGIBVS, edge plain, 35mm, 15.35g (Eimer 388; MI ii 277/1), minor hairlining to parts of the fields, with a most handsome flashy lustre upon a rich cabinet tone in hues of ochre, blue and purple, a most attractive striking, choice, thus highly desirable

The Pritchard Collection of 18th Century Provincial Tokens and Commemorative Medals



On Anne's accession to the throne in March 1702, she was immediately popular. It is said that she had a soft, sweet speaking voice and made a good impression, although her tendency to blush meant that some unkind observers compared her to an inn sign for the Rose and Crown! Fortunately for Anne, those naysayers underestimated her vigour as the last Stuart to sit on the English throne. At the Accession Council, held at St James' Palace, Anne vowed to continue the late king's policies, however, she did make a point of distancing herself from her Dutch brother-in-law, saying "As I know my heart to be entirely English, I can very sincerely assure you there is not anything you can expect or desire from me which I shall not be ready to do so for the happiness and prosperity of England." And it is this very message that we see replicated on her official Accession medal - 'Entirely English. Born of Monarch Ancestors'.



John Croker engraved the medal design. It is arguably the finest of the assorted designs struck for this occasion. The queen is elegantly crowned, her hair vivaciously ornate and on the reverse, a crowned heart, flanked by twirling branches of oak. Croker would go on to create many medals for Anne, George I and George II.

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Sold for
£1,000

Starting price
£150