Mary

Mary, Queen of Scots (1542-1587), silver counter, 1551, unsigned, Victory standing left holding wreath and palm branch, MARIA D G R S, rev., crowned M above 1551 within laurel wreath, 28.5mm (vide MI vol. I, p. 59 note; cf. Van Mieris III/289; Graham Goddard, 'Mary, Queen of Scots - and Hungary', Coin and Medal News, vol. 22, No. 10, Oct. 1985, p.25). A fascinating and unique medal, sharp extremely fine.

This piece appears to have been originally struck for use in the household of Queen Mary of Hungary (1522-1558), the original H in the obverse legend having been altered to an S and the date 1552 altered to 1551.

Provenance: Ex collections of the Dukes of Atholl (private sale to Spink's); Bt. Spink October 1985; Spink Auction, 29 March, 2006 (lot 284)