Obverse. Photo © Royal Mint
  • 500 Pounds 2023, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Charles III, Great Engravers Collection, The Petition Crown, Charles II Effigy
  • 500 Pounds 2023, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Charles III, Great Engravers Collection, The Petition Crown, Charles II Effigy
  • 500 Pounds 2023, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Charles III, Great Engravers Collection, The Petition Crown, Charles II Effigy, Proof, 2 coin set
Description

Great Engravers Collection continues with a two-coin set celebrating Thomas Simon’s revered Petition Crown. Made more than 350 years ago, many consider this coin a numismatic marvel. It is the fifth coin in the Great Engravers series.

The Petition Crown was a pattern coin produced in 1663 by Thomas Simon, a celebrated English medallist and coin-designer. The coin was submitted directly by the artist to King Charles II as a personal 'petition' against the contemporary coins designed by the Flemish brothers John and Joseph Roettiers, and for the further Royal consideration that only Simon's designs be used for all future specie now that machine-made currency had been adopted universally for the production of British coinage.

The rivalry between the Roettiers brothers and Thomas Simon resulted from a Royal competition to design this new milled coinage. For unclear reasons, Simon did not submit his trial design in time, resulting in the Flemish engravers winning by default and their coinage being issued for circulation in 1662. However, Simon's desire to win back the King's affections resulted in the development of this trial piece the following year.

Obverse

Depicts King Charles III’s effigy, surrounded by the Latin inscription. Engraver's initials on the neck.

CHARLES III DEI GRATIA REX FIDEI DEFENSOR means King Charles III, by the Grace of God King, Defender of the Faith.

Engraver: Martin Jennings (MJ)

•CHARLES III•D•G•REX•F•D•500 POUNDS•2023
MJ

Reverse

Depicts a reverse of Thomas Simon’s Petition Crown with laureate and draped bust of King Charles II right, legend around.

Charles II of England was born in 1630 and ruled from 1660 until his death in 1685. He was the son of Charles I and the last monarch of the House of Stuart. His reign was marked by the restoration of the monarchy after the English Civil War and the Great Fire of London. He was known for his wit, charm, and love of pleasure, but also faced political turmoil and religious conflict during his reign.

CAROLUS II DEI GRATIA means Charles II by the Grace of God

Design: Thomas Simon

CAROLVS II · DEI · GRA
Simon

Edge

Both coins in the set feature beautifully recreated raised edge lettering, with over 200 letters etched across two lines: Thomas Simon humbly prays Your Majesty to compare this, his trial piece, with the Dutch, and if more truly drawn and embossed, more gracefully ordered, and more accurately engraved, to relieve him.

THOMAS SIMON · MOST · HVMBLY · PRAYS · YOVR MAJESTY TO · COMPARE · THIS· HIS · TRYALL · PIECE · WITH · THE · DVTCH · AND · IF · MORE

TRVLY · DRAWN & EMBOSS'D · MORE · GRACE: FVLLY · ORDER'D · AND · MORE · ACCVRATELY · ENGRAVEN · TO · RELEIVE · HIM·

500 Pounds

Five Ounce Silver Proof Coin

Great Engravers Collection
The Petition Crown, Charles II Effigy

Subscribe series
KM#
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Gold
Fineness 0.9999
Weight 156.3 g
Diameter 50.6 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Mint

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