Rev. Britannia seated, I., at the foot of a rock, &c.; same
as the preceding.
Edge. Same as the preceding.
2'2. Med. Hist. xxxi. 1.
MB. N . M.
The variety with this obverse is more rare than the preceding.
These medals by John Roettier have the great fault of
being without date. The dies of the obverse, with very slight
alteration, are the same as were made for the naval reward
medals (Nos. 140,141). They eommemorate the extraordinary
efforts made by England during the year 1666 to increase her
navy, thus enabling her to put to sea after the lapse of a few
weeks the best fleet in regard to ships, artillery, and crew till
then possessed by this country. The type of the reverse may
also refer to the naval engagements of this year, some of which
resulted favourably to English arms. These medals were
executed early in 1667, and the figure of Britannia is a portrait
of Mrs. Stuart, afterwards Duchess of Richmond, who was the
fashionable beauty at Court at this time. Pepys, in his Diary,
under date 25 Feb. 1667, in speaking of this medal, says: “ At
my goldsmith’s did observe the King’s new medall, where in
little there is Mrs. Stewart’s face as well done as ever I saw
anything in my whole life, I th in k : and a pretty thing it is
that he should choose her face to represent Britannia by.”
(See No. 195.) The legend on the edge was probably a later
addition, and may record the Peace of Breda.
187. P eace of B reda. 1667. “ F avente Deo.”
Busts conjoined, r., of Charles II. and Catherine. He,
hair long, flowing behind, is in armour and mantle over the
shoulders : she wears slight drapery. Leg. carolvs . e t .
catharina . rex . e t . regina. Below, monogram, (John
Roettier.)
Rev. Britannia seated, I., on the sea-shore, holds her spear
CHARLES I I. 1667. 537
and shield: ships in the distance. Meridian sun. Leg.
FAVENTE DEO. Ex. BRITANNIA.
1*75. Med. Hist. xxxi. 3.
MB. At. Bodley, Art.
More rare than the preceding.
Struck by John Roettier at the same time and on the same
occasion as the preceding. The dies of this medal are in the
British Museum.
18.8. Naval Victories. 1667. B ritannia.
Britannia seated, L, on the sea-shore, holds her spear and
shield, two genii hover over her with a wreath of laurel;
meridian sun; distant ships.
188. Naval Victories.
2‘7. (See Woodcut.)
MB. lead.