Protection from on High

945451.

Sold For $1750

STUART. James II. 1685-1688. AR Medal (43mm, 30.48 g, 12h). “Tutamen ab Alto”. By G. Bauer. Struck 1685. · IACOBVS · II · D G · MAG · BRI · FRAN · ET · HI · REX, laureate and draped bust right / · TUTAMEN AB · ALTO (protection from on high), angel standing facing, head left, holding flaming sword and olive branch; to left, chair of state, upon which rests the British crown; rays from heaven above. MI 611/18; Eimer –. Good VF, toned, a few minor marks. Very rare.

The reverse of this medal, struck shortly after James’s accession, emphasises the divine nature of kingship which was central to Stuart ideology. The absolutist style of James’s rule would play a large part in his undoing.