STUART. temp. Charles I. 1625-1649. AR Gaming Piece (25mm, 2.72 g, 12h). Sovereigns of England Series – Henry V. From the school of van der Passe. Made circa 1635-1637.

Electronic Auction 483
Lot: 756. Estimated: $ 300

British Medals, Silver

Sold For $ 180. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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STUART. temp. Charles I. 1625-1649. AR Gaming Piece (25mm, 2.72 g, 12h). Sovereigns of England Series – Henry V. From the school of van der Passe. Made circa 1635-1637. HENRICVS V ANGLIÆ FRANCIÆ REX DOMINUS HIBERN, crowned and mantled bust left, holding sword over shoulder and gobus cruciger / Crowned coat-of-arms within Garter. Mitchiner, Jetons p. 1675, 16 and 4860. Toned. Good VF.

Gambling and games of chance have served as a form of entertainment and excitement during much of recorded history in one way or another, and many of these games necessitate some form of accounting during play. In early modern Europe, jetons were commonly employed for these purposes and allowed for skilled engravers to promote their artistry. One such engraver was Simon van der Passe, born in Utrecht circa 1585.

Van der Passe worked in England from 1616–1621/2, having founded a school after being exempted from the royal monopoly given previously to Nicholas Hilliard. This exemption allowed for the "graving and imprinting medailles" and small portraits of the king, and van der Passe utilized his technique for the production of numerous series of jetons or gaming counters, initially employing portraits of the Stuarts, James I and later Charles I with his wife, Henrietta Maria. Though Simon would return to Holland in 1621/2, his London-based school continued under the management of his brother, William. Subsequent issues of these jetons would feature Gustav Adolph and his wife, Maria Eleonora, the sovereigns of England, 'classical portraits' of historical and biblical figures, 'street cries,' and the commonwealth.

Of even greater interest and debate among numismatists over the past century has been the method of manufacture of these jetons. Their appearance at first glance would lead one to believe that they have been individually engraved owing to their incuse design. It is thought that, in fact, these ornate counters were skillfully cast and polished in order to generate this 'faux-engraved' effect.

Closing Date and Time: 6 January 2021 at 14:11:40 ET.

All winning bids are subject to an 18% buyer’s fee.