Henry VI, from Jean Dassier's English Sovereigns series (1731), bronze

Obv: robed and crowned bust of Henry VI left, name and titles around

Rev: a monument temple with a niche, in which stands the figure of Time holding a staff in one hand and chains in the other, biographical dates in exergue

Condition: Good extremely fine or better; Diameter: 40mm

References: MI i p.12; Eisler I 258/17; Thompson 15

Notes: The references on the medal's reverse are "alluding to the throne and the prison alternately occupied by this unhappy Prince" (Medallic Illustrations). Thompson (p.27) says "Henry was a pious and studious recluse whose incapacity for government was one of the causes of the Wars of the Roses. The death of Prince Edward in the Battle of Tewkesbury sealed Henry's fate, and he was murdered in the Tower of London soon afterwards."

Price £35