"Lady Jane Grey" silver Fantasy Medal 1553-Dated MS63 NGC, Lis mm. 34 mm. IANE D G ANG FRA Z ET HIB REGINA MDLIII Crowned three-quarters bust left // IN TERRIS ANG ET HIB ECCLE CAPV SVPREM Crowned rose divides IR. Based on a design by Emery, a nineteenth-century private mintmaster who The Times labeled "an impudent and unprincipled forger." The tragedy of Lady Jane Grey has been well documented. A claimant to the English throne for nine days, support for her candidacy diminished quickly and shifted in favor of Jane's rival, the soon-to-be Mary I. Following a brief imprisonment, Lady Jane Grey was deemed a threat to the throne and was executed at age 16 or 17. This type rarely appears at auction and we anticipate lively bidding for this pristine example. An unusual and rare fantasy medal created by the notorious Emery at his "mint" approximately 1840. There are two styles known. The first mimics a pseudo hammered shilling. This second type here (Pagan-88) is a medallic impression from finely cut dies, in strong relief, and was stoutly struck in a plain edged collar. The 1971 Pagan article (really a monograph) in the British Numismatic Journal cites a hundred or so of his products created for collectors or as deceptions. Despite its unofficial manufacture nearly three centuries after the "’Nine Days’ Queen" was ousted, its rarity and subject make it highly collectible. Its infrequent offerings, even in British sales, adds to its allure. An example was cataloged in the illustrious Sotheby’s Montagu Collection sales (First Day, May 24, 1897, part of lot 15). Ex: Davisson’s Auction 39 (April 2020, Lot 335); Classical Numismatic Auction XII ( September 1990, Lot 1472A) HID09801242017 © 2023 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

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