Stock No. 3261	William III coronation - anti Jacobite silver medal
Very interesting satirical anti Jacobite silver medal, struck in Holland by Jan Smeltzing for the English coronation of William III, 11/21 April, 1689. Obverse: Bust of William III, right, laureate, hair long, with no drapery. Legend: GULIELM : III D . G . BRITANN : LIBERTATISQ : RESTITUT. (William III, by the grace of God, King of Britain, Restorer of religion and liberty.) Below, a rose. Reverse: The arms of Britain, suspended from an orange tree entwined with rose and thistle. The words ITE MISSA EST (Depart, it is dismissed) issue from clouds above, as well as lightnings directed against James dropping his crown and sceptre and Father Petre carrying away a pyx and the young Prince with his windmill. Both are fleeing, accompanied by the snakes of Discord. Exergue: INAUGURATIS MAIESTATIBUS, EIECTO PAPATU, EXPULSA TYRANNIDE, BRITANNIA FELIX. 1689. (Their Majesties crowned, Papacy (represented by Father Petre) ejected, Tyranny (James II) expelled, Britain is happy. 1689). See "Medallic Illustrations", vol. I, p. 671/43. Maker :- Jan Smeltzing

Condition :-Extremely Fine
Circa :- 1689
Size :- 1.9 inches (48.3 mm) diameter
This medal is one of a group of satirical anti Jacobite medals struck in Holland. The words of the legend on the medal's reverse, ITE MISSA EST, are those used in the Church of Rome at the dismissal of the congregation after the celebration of the mass. The inference being, according to "Medallic Illustrations", that James and the Papists, having celebrated the mass, were in consequence unworthy to be present at the sacred ceremony of the coronation and were therefore dismissed. "M.I" rates this medal as rare.

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