Sir Richard Martin (1534-1617)

Sir Richard Martin (1534-1617), Warden, then Master of the Mint and Lord Mayor of London (1589 & 1594) and his wife, Dorcas, cast copper double-portrait medal, 1562, by Steven van Herwijck [Stephen of Holland] (c.1530-1565/7), his bust right wearing soft cap, cloak and small ruff collar, RICHARD MARTIN ÆT 28 AO 1562, rev., her bust left, in pointed bonnet, cloak and small ruff collar, DORCAS EGLESTONE VX RICHARD MARTIN ÆT 25, 58.5mm (MI 107/33; Eim. 45; Scher [1994] 169; H & P pl. 23, 6). A contemporary cast, some light tooling, good very fine with rich brown patina, excessively rare.

The silver example of this medal in the British Museum is catalogued in MI as "unique?". Martin was a goldsmith by profession, who in his work at the Mint, carried out reforms in relation to both the English and Irish coinage. . He married Dorcas (1537-1590), daughter of Sir John Ecclestone (or Eglestone) of Lancashire, in or before 1562. Both are buried in Tottenham Church.

Provenance: Ex. Papillon Collection, Bonhams, 25 March, 1998 (lot 8); Previously bt. Spink c. 1976.