Historical and Art Medals, Numismatic Books

Sweden, Queen Desideria, 1823, a copper medal by J.-J. Barre, bust right, rev. crowned arms in wreath, 41mm (BDM I, 131). Extremely fine (£40-60)

Désirée Clary (1777-1860), one-time fiancée of Napoleon, married the future Carl XIV of Sweden in 1798 and took the self-styled title ‘Countess of Gotland.’ She had herself crowned Queen in 1829 although her husband had taken the Swedish crown in 1818