Coronation Medals and Memorabilia

To mark the Coronation of King Charles III, we've been looking through our collection for coins, medals and memorabilia from coronations past.

Coins and medals in particular have been an important part of establishing a new leader's rule and presence throughout the world, since ancient times. 

All of the following items are from our collection - maybe you have some too?

 

William IV (Reigned 1830 to 1837)

A medal issued to mark the coronation of King William IV and Queen Adelaide at Westminster, on September 8 1831. 

Victoria (Reigned 1837 to 1901)

A medal issued to celebrate the coronation of Queen Victoria in 1838. 

The 'heads' side reads 'Victoria D[ei].G[ratia]. Britanniarum Regina F[idei].D[efensatrix].' which translates from Latin as 'Victoria, by the grace of God, Queen of Britain, defender of the faith'.

The 'tails' side reads 'Eremis Tibi Nobile Regnum - Inaugurata Die Junii XXVIII MDCCCXXXVIII', which translates from Latin as 'We shall be a noble kingdom to you' and 'Inaugurated 23 June 1838'. It shows Queen Victoria sat on a throne being offered the crown by women representing Britannia, Scotland and Ireland.

(Information from Royal Collection Trust)

Edward VII (Reigned 1901 to 1910)

A coronation medal issued for King Edward VII on 26 June 1902. 

The 'heads' side has the profile of King Edward VII with Queen Alexandra beside him, and their names inscribed above their heads in English.

The 'tails' side includes the inscription 'To commemorate the Coronation - June 26 1902', and two crests with 'Windsor and Eton and Neighbourhood' written below.

George V (Reigned 1910 to 1936)

A medal issued to commemorate the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911 by Elect Cocoa (owned by Rowntree's). 

The 'heads' side has the profile of George V and Queen Mary, with 'King George V' and 'Queen Mary' above their heads.

The 'tails' side reads 'Struck by the makers of Elect Cocoa. To commemorate the coronation of H.M. King George V and H.M. Queen Mary - 1911'.

Edward VIII* (Reigned 1936)

A medal made to commemorate the coronation of Edward VIII, which was due to take place in 1937. However, this never happened as Edward abdicated in December 1936.

The 'heads' side has the profile of Edward VIII, with 'Edward VIII - King & Emperor' above his head.

The 'tails' side is inscribed with 'Struck by the makers of Rowntree's Cocoa, Jellies & Gums' (linking it to the medal above for George V) and 'To commemorate the coronation of H.M. King Edward VIII - 1937'

George VI (Reigned 1936 to 1952)

A badge made to commemorate the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1937. 

It has George VI and Elizabeth in profile, with 'George VI & Elizabeth Crowned 1937' inscribed. It could have been pinned or sewn into clothing or a cap with the hook on the left-hand side.

Elizabeth II (Reigned 1952 to 2022)

A commemorative glass plate made to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, created locally by Bagley & Co in Knottingley. 

It has 'Queen Elizabeth II Coronation' engraved around the outside of the main dish, with 'June' and '1953' in shield shapes. The crown jewels are engraved in the middle, along with Elizabeth II's royal cipher. 

We've got two new displays looking back to Elizabeth II's coronation at Pontefract Museum and Wakefield One! Click here to find out more about the new Coronation Displays.