CNG 99, Lot: 1316. Estimate $500. Sold for $300. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SCOTLAND. John Murray, 3rd Duke of Atholl. British. AR Medal (37mm, 17.87 g, 12h). The Death of John Murray. By J. Kirk. Dated 1774. IOANNES · MURRAY · ATHOL · DUX, bareheaded bust right, wearing ornate frock coat and sash / QUIS TEMPERET A LACHRYMIS (who shall refrain from tears), female figure seated slightly left on ground in attitude of mourning; behind, view of hills with clouds above; in two lines in exergue, NAT · VI · MAII · MDCCXXIX ·/OB · V · NOV · MDCCLXXIV. BHM 192; EPM 256; Eimer 756. Near EF, toned.

Through his wife (and first cousin), the daughter of James Murray, the 2nd Duke of Atholl, John Murray succeeded to the sovereignty of the Isle of Man. Negotiations for the union of the island with the British Crown had already been going on before Murray became duke. However, the 1765 Act of Parliament, which purchased the island’s sovereignty and its dependencies for £70,000, while retaining many of the duke’s hereditary rights and privileges, made the duke and duchess very unpopular on the island. Tensions became so great that the 42nd Regiment of Foot, or Black Watch, was stationed on the island to maintain order. Ironically, their commander was the duke himself.