Rare Depiction of the Coat-of-Arms for Northern Ireland

344, Lot: 641. Estimate $100. Sold for $300. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

NORTHERN IRELAND. Elizabeth II. 1952–present. AR Medal (44mm, 71.07 g, 12h). 50th Anniversary of the Northern Ireland Parliament. Obverse bust by T. H. Paget, reverse by Christopher Ironside. Issued in 1971. ELIZABETH II REGINA, crowned and draped bust right / NORTHERN IRELAND above, 1921 – 1971 below, coat-of-arms and supporters of Northern Ireland. Eimer 2123. Superb EF, toned.

One of the few medals or coins that uses the coat-of-arms for Northern Ireland. As the government of Northern Ireland (and therefore its parliament) was abolished in 1972, its coat-of-arms can technically no longer be used.

“Following the partition of Ireland in 1920 and the secession of the Irish Free State from the United Kingdom in 1922, Neville Rodwell Wilkinson, Ulster King of Arms, designed the great seal and flag of Northern Ireland in 1923. In January 1924, he held discussions with Northern Irish officials in London regarding the coat of arms. The final design was completed by Wilkinson's deputy Thomas Ulick Sadleir for approval by the Northern Ireland cabinet in April 1924. The artwork was approved and the Royal warrant signed by George V and issued through the Home Office on 2 August 1924 and registered in the Register of Arms in Dublin as follows:

Royal Warrant Government of Northern Ireland

Argent a cross gules, overall on a six pointed star of the field ensigned by an Imperial crown proper a dexter hand couped at the wrist of the second.
Given at our Court of St. James in the 15th year of our reign 2nd August 1924 by His Majesty's command.

The supporters were granted in 1925, and consist of a red lion supporting a blue banner bearing a gold harp and crown, and an Irish elk in proper colours, supporting a banner of the arms of the De Burgo Earls of Ulster, the basis for the Flag of Ulster.”