Ancient, British and World Coins, Tokens, and Historical Medals

Mary (1542-1567), Mary, Queen of Scots, beheaded, 1587, cast copper portrait medal by Tassie in high relief, bust r., wearing cap, ruff, and cloak, reverse legend in 10 lines, 53mm (MI 139/98; cf. BDM p. 25 [illustr.]). Extremely fine (£80-100)

From a series of medallicportraits of Scottish monarchs by James Tassie, begun at the end of the 18th century, but never completed, perhaps due to his death in 1799. All are very scarce today.