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Auction: 25055 - British Medals and World Coins featuring The Hurter-Amman Collection of Ancient and European Gold
Lot: 733

NGC MS62 | *Top Pop* | Escape of Princess Clementina from Innsbruck, AR Medal, 1719, by O. Hamerani, CLEMENTINA • M • BRITAN • FR • ET • HIB • REGINA •, draped bust left, rev. FORTVNAM • CAVSAMQVE • SEQVOR, Clementina hurriedly departing in a carriage; Rome in the distance, DECEPTIS • CVSTODIBVS • •MDCCXIX• in exergue in two lines, 48mm, 48.10g (Eimer 484; MI ii 444/49; Woolf 36), some light contact marking and excess metal to the reverse rim, a charming design of minute detail, pleasing still to the higher points, richly cabinet toned to near-brilliant fields, extremely fine, in NGC holder, graded MS62 (Cert. #8222378-007) [*Single Finest Certified*]

Provenance

The Craven Collection of British Historical Medals



James III for some time had been urged to marry by his supporters. A number of James' court, Charles Wogan, was therefore sent to scour the courts of Europe for a suitable bride. He reported most favourably on Princess Clementina, grand-daughter of the King of Poland, then aged sixteen. A betrothal was arranged, but George I was against the marriage and persuaded the Emperor Charles VI to have her arrested and imprisoned in Innsbruck. The order to detain the Princess and her mother travelled slowly so Clementina's mother spent eight days at Innsbruck where, it is reported, she enjoyed the shopping. In consequence of this delay they were arrested and detained in Schloss Ambras. Diplomatic efforts to secure Clementina's release failed and the Prince turned again to Charles Wogan. The intrepid courtier succeeded in rescuing the Princess, at night, substituting a maid in her place and leaving her mother to offer explanations the following morning. They escaped to Bologna, where James had been waiting, arriving eight months late, but James had already left for Spain.

It is interesting to note that this medal was commissioned by Pope Clementine XI, thus implying a continuing papal interest in the re-establishment of Catholicism in Britain.



https://www.ngccoin.uk/certlookup/8222378-007/62/

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Estimate
£600 to £700

Starting price
£420