Page 45 - The Lugdunum Auction 21

This medal was minted in 1545 by the English
King Henry VIII and commemorates his as-
sumption, 10 years earlier, of the Title of Sup-
reme Head of the Church of England.

Also known in silver, it was intended to be given
out as a diplomatic gift stating and promulgating
the new and prestigious title of the King.

But it might also have been handed over, pro-
bably by Henry VIII himself, as an award, to an
important and loyal supporter, as some characte-
ristics of this medal suggest.

What’s very interesting, is that this specimen is
pierced suggesting that it might have been pro-
udly displayed or worn as a pendant by the reci-
pient. The bust of the King, as the position of the
hole suggests, being shown in priority.

This medal commemorates the assumption by
Henry VIII of the Title of Supreme Head of the
Church of England, a decision that will mark
the end of half a millennium of relation with the
Henry VIII, 1509-1547
Pope and the Western Church.
It therefore marks the begin of the English Reformation which over the following centuries will evolve
into the Anglican Church as it is known today.

An extremely rare medal

What’s really exceptional, is that this specimen is one of only five known to exist in gold, four of which
being held in museums. One is in the collections of the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, one in the collec-
tions of the British Museum in London, one in the collections of the Hunterian Museum of Glasgow and
finally, one is at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich.

In other words, and to the best of our knowledge, this medal is unique, as it is the only specimen in gold,
in private hands available on the market.

Numismatic importance & symbolic power

This medal is considered as the first English commemorative medal ever minted. Its weight and value are
almost five time higher than the Sovereign, the largest English gold coin struck at the time.

It is also, along the coins produced by Henry Bayse, a milestone in the iconography of the English coinage
as it marks the end of a four centuries long tradition of idealised representation of the ruler as a Medieval
king and by doing so, it marks the begin of its representation as an individualised modern monarch.

Although less impressive, the reverse playes an important role in the symbolic power of this medal. The
use of both Greek and Hebrew inscriptions to proclaim the assumption of his new Title, was intended to
show off, that the king was an educated ruler of its time. A time, when the desire to return at the origins
of the holy books, the Ancient testament for the Hebrew and the Greek for the New Testament, will mark
the turning point of the religious reformation in Europe.

If you want to learn more about this exceptional medal, do not hesitate to watch
our special presentation video on our website www.lugdunum-numismatik.com
(Highlights page) or by using this QR-Code