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Great Britain - 1814

Betrothal of Princess Charlotte (T. Webb)

Obverse:

Head of Princess Charlotte, right.

Legend:

CAROLETTA AVGVSTA

Size:

53 mm.

Reverse:

Figure of Spes standing, holding olive branch, cornucopia and rudder.

Legend:

SPES PVBLICA

Exergue:

IAN . VII . MDCCCXIV (January 7 1814)

BHM:

AR, AR gilt, AE, Pr. 53 by T. Webb published by E. Thomason.

AR RR; AR gilt RR; AE N; Pr. R.
Fi. 5360 & 61.
AM; BM; BMAG; ML; RC.

This medal records the hope for a fruitful outcome of the intended marriage of Princess Charlotte with Prince William of Orange. However, the Princess broke off the engagement after six months, which enraged her father. She remained in seclusion at Cranbourn Lodge Windsor until 1816. See also note to No. 409.
The obverse design of this medal was copied from a bust in the possession of the Hon. Henneage Legge of Aston Hall, Birmingham. The medal was struck by Edward Thomason in 1814. He sent examples in silver, silver gilt and bronze to the Marquis of Hertford, Lord Chamberlain to the Prince Regent, asking him to use his influence to present specimens to the Prince Regent, one to Princess Charlotte and retain one himself. It would appear that the bronze specimen went to Princess Charlotte. See Sir E. Thomason, Memoirs during half a century, London, 1845, p. 61.

from British Historical Medals 1760-1960 Volume I, p. 187

Betrothal of Princess Charlotte (T. Webb)