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Hansons Historica Auction – 26/27 August 2021

Hansons Historica Auction – 26/27 August 2021

Hansons held an auction of historic artefacts and coins on 26 and 27 August 2021. Some good work by the valuer as most lots achieved close to their estimates.

The full catalogue can be found here. To view any of my selected lots in the auction catalogue, click on the lot number.

There is a buyer’s premium of 25% (plus VAT) on the hammer price.

Featured Lots

Photo: © Hansons

Charles I mourning ring

Estimate: £10,000 – £12,000
Hammer: £9400

A mourning ring made in memory of Charles I. In the portrait the eyes are looking towards the heavens, which denotes the post-mortem nature of the piece. During his reign, his eyes would be looking forward.

Martyr

The band is engraved with “Martye populi” – a martyr of the people .

At his trial, the king refused to recognise the authority of the court as he believed that ‘a king cannot be tried by any superior jurisdiction on earth ’. In a speech delivered on the scaffold just before his execution, he proclaimed that he would die as ‘a martyr of the people’.

Shortly after Charles’s death, an account of his supposed sufferings in prison entitled Eikon Basilike  (A Royal Portrait) was published. This contributed to the creation of cult of religious martyrdom. This image of Charles as a martyred king helped sustain the royalist cause throughout the Commonwealth and Protectorate years.

Date of execution

On the underside of the ring is a small skull and the date, Jan 30 1648. We would now consider the date of Charles execution to be 30 January 1649, using the start of the new year as January 1st rather than 25 March, which was the new year until 1752.

Restoration of the monarchy

The restoration of the monarchy in 1660 saw the production of large amounts of commemorative jewellery. This was worn openly either by genuine long-term supporters of the monarchy or those who claimed to have been royalists all along.

Selection of other lots

Photo: © Hansons

Roman Gold Ring

A gold Roman ring dating to the 2nd Century AD. It was found in Newark, Nottinghamshire in 1988.
Estimate: £2,000 – £3,000
Hammer: £1800
Photo: © Hansons

Roman Horse Brooch

A copper-alloy Roman horse brooch dating to the 2nd Century AD.
Estimate: £100 – £150
Hammer: £140
Photo: © Hansons

Viking period silver-gilt pin

A Scandinavian dress pin with a twisted upper shaft and finials in form of two opposed birds, dating to Circa 10th-11th century AD. 
Estimate: £400 – £600
Hammer: £340
Photo: © Hansons

Anglo-Saxon Button Brooch

A 6th century copper alloy button brooch.
Estimate: £150 – £200
Photo: © Hansons

Chess Piece Type Seal Matrix

A medieval seal matrix that a lamb and flag. The legend reads “S’ IOh DE LIIDEL’ AT ELEN” – the seal of John, probably from a place identified as Elen.
Estimate: £200 – £300
Hammer: £170
Photo: © Hansons

Medieval gold ring

A 14th Century gold ring inscribed with “DU BON CUERE” – “of good heart”. This is a common inscription for the period and comes in several variations. These rings are associated with the culture of chivalry, prompting gifts or tokens as expressions of love. These inscribed rings are routinely grouped together with inscribed rings known as “posy” rings. However, strictly speaking the “posy” ring is a later sixteenth-century phenomenon.
Estimate: £2,000 – £2,500
Hammer: £2400
Photo: © Hansons

Medieval Heraldic Brooch

A silver heraldic brooch dating to 13th-14th century.
Estimate: £200 – 3300
Hammer: £170
Photo: © Hansons

Cunobelinus, Silver Unit

Cunobelinus “Winged Victor” silver unit  c. AD8-41. Obverse: Bust right, CVNO behind, BELINVS in front, beaded border. Reverse: Winged Victory standing on globe, TAS behind, CIIOV in front, beaded border
Estimate: £300 – £500
Hammer: £300

Galba, Denarius

A silver denarius of Galba. He became emperor after the suicide of Nero in AD 68 was murdered on January 15th 69 AD by the troops of Otho.
Estimate: £150 – £200
Hammer: £180

Julian II, Siliqua

A silver silique of Julian II from AD 361-2 which was minted in Arles, as shown by CONST in the exergue of the reverse. The mint at Arles was opened in AD 313. Early issues use the AR or ARL mintmark. In AD 318 the city was renamed Constantina to mark it as the birthplace of Constantine II and the mintmark became CONST or CON. In AD 340, after the death of Constantine II, ARL was reintroduced. After AD 353 it remained CON or CONST.
Estimate: £40 – £60
Hammer: £50
Photo: © Hansons

Edward IV Half Ryal

Edward IV Gold Half Ryal.  Light coinage, 1464-70 AD. Mint mark, long cross fitchee
Estimate: £1,500 – £2,000
Hammer: £1600
Photo: © Hansons

James I Laurel

James I Gold Laurel  Third coinage, 1619-25.
Estimate: £800 – £1,200
Hammer: £1000
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