2-15. Snelling, xxxi. 3. Mazzuchelli, II. PI. clxxxv. 3.
MB. iE. Not uncommon.
One of Dassier’s series of medals of illustrious men. (See
No. 185, p. 558.)
Alexander Pope, the famous poet, born 22 May, 1688, died
30 May, 1744. (See also No. 221, p. 582.)
199. T r ib u t e to G e o r g e II. 1741.
Bust of George II., r., head bound with fillet, hair short; no
drapery. Leg. g e o r g iv s . i i . d : g : mag : b r i : er a : e t . h :
r e x . f : d . Below, l : n a t t e r . r.
Rev. Tetrastyle temple, within which is an armed statue of
Minerva. Leg. o p tim o p r i n c i p i . (T o the best of Princes.)
Ex. c io io c c x x x x i. l . n . e . (Laurence Natter fecit.)
2. The Student’s Hume, pp. 593-4.
MB. At. Very rare.
This is merely a complimentary medal to the King, not
struck upon any particular occasion. Mr. Hollis possessed a
specimen, and mentions it as “ an excellent medal.” At his
sale it was sold to Mr. Barrett, and may, perhaps, he the one
in the British Museum. It was executed by Natter soon after
his arrival in England. The device and legend of the reverse
occur frequently upon Roman coins.
200. R e s ig n a t io n oe S ir R o b e r t W a l p o l e . 1742.
Sir Robert Walpole, seated, I., his elbow resting upon a bag
of money: in his right hand he holds a paper inscribed, ia n .
18 1742. Leg. i am k ic k d out o f d o o r s .
Rev. A gateway, on which is erected a pole bearing a human
head. Leg. no s c r e e n . E x . Scroll ornament.
1*45. (See Woodcut.)
MB. lead. Rare.
This medal was struck soon after the re-assembling of Parliament,
18 Jan. 1742, when Sir Robert Walpole, in spite of
his unwillingness, found himself compelled to resign the office
of Prime Minister, and was created Earl of Orford. The bag
of money refers to the charges of bribery and corruption made
against him by his enemies, and on account of which his
impeachment was generally expected. The reverse is a sort of
pun upon his name, Wall-pole—a pole upon a wall bearing his
head as that of a traitor. After his resignation he was supposed
to have had much influence, and to have pulled, as though
behind a screen, the strings which worked the Government.
200. Resignation of Sir Robert Walpole.
At this time a general toast was, “ Success to the new Ministry,
and no screen.” In several satirical prints of the time a
screen is introduced, on which are represented various historical
events; whilst a mirror shows the persons behind the screen
by whose influence the events have been accomplished or attempted.
(See Letters of Horace Walpole, Earl of Orford, to
Sir Horace Mann, 1833.)
201. S ir R o b e r t W a l p o l e , E a r l o f Or f o r d . 1742.
Bust of Walpole, r., hair short, in mantle round the shoulders.
Leg. THE RIGHT HON : ROBERT EARL OF ORFORD.
Rev. Britannia, r., trampling upon Envy, places a coronet
on the head of Walpole, attired in the robes of a peer : London
in the distance. Leg. en v y sh a l l n ot p r e v a il a g a in st t h e e .
Ex. MDCCXLII.
1'55. Snelling, xxxii. 6.
MB. 2E. ■ Somewhat rare.