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Auction: 25360 - The 360th Anniversary Sale
Lot: 12

GOLD TOUCH PIECE OF JAMES II

NGC XF45 | Touch Piece, or Gold Medal, c.1685, unsigned, IACO . II . D . G . M . B . FR ET . HI . REX., ship sailing left, rev. SOLI . DEO GLORIA., St Michael and the Dragon, edge plain, 2.07g, 11h (Eimer -; MI I, 611/19).
Unpierced, some wear but with beautiful rosy gold toning throughout and a pleasing patina, extremely fine, in NGC holder, graded XF45 (Cert. #8534305-001).

Touch pieces were traditionally used as talismans, blessed through the monarch's touch and then bestowed upon the sick or infirm to be worn around the neck. In a medieval ceremony, these tokens were presented as part of a ritual intended to cure "Scrofula," also known as the "King's Evil," and to affirm the monarch's divine legitimacy. As God's appointed representative on earth, the sovereign was believed to heal the afflicted through this sacred act. Most touch pieces were pierced so they could be worn by the recipient for protection. The touch piece served a ceremonial rather than monetary role, replacing the once-popular gold angel in this royal rite. Its design featured a royal ship, symbolizing the monarch. The tradition continued until the 18th century, when Queen Anne became the last ruler to perform the ceremony.



Provenance

From the Baumhauer Collection of British Medals
Bt Baldwins & Sons, April 2006, lot D57



https://www.ngccoin.uk/certlookup/8534305-001/45/

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Estimate
£1,000 to £1,500

Starting price
£800