CNG 85, Lot: 1585. Estimate $400. Sold for $400. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

STUART. Anne. 1702-1714. AR Medal (44mm, 37.17 g, 12h). Queen Anne’s Bounty. By J. Crocker. Dated 1704. ANNA · D : G · MAG : BRI FR : ET · HIB : REG :, laureate and draped bust left; I·C below / Anne seated right, holding scepter and presenting charter to members of the clergy kneeling left; PIETAS · AVGVSTÆ · on banner above; PRIMITIIS · ET · DECIMIS ·/ECCLESIÆ · CONCESSIS ·/MDCCIV · in three lines in exergue. MI 251/43; Eimer 404. Near EF, lightly toned.

From a California Collection of British Historical Medals.

Following Henry VIII’s transition away from the Catholic church, the Pope’s levy of the first-fruits and tenths become payable to the crown rather than the clergy. Following the insistence of Bishop Burnet, Anne transferred this revenue back, establishing a fund for poorer members of the clergy which later became known as ‘Queen Anne's Bounty.’