1660 Charles II Pattern Broad / Restoration of the Monarchy medal

Charles II , Restoration of the Monarchy, 1660, Pattern Broad by T. Simon aureate bust right, wearing Garter badge over armour, hair falling over shoulder, signed s below, carolvs ii d g mag br fr et hi rex, rev. magna opera domini, crowned shield of arms, edge plain (Lessen, BNJ 1995, type Ba; Nathanson p.34; MI I, 463/59; N 2776)

An attractive specimen in Good very fine grade. The Restoration of the Stuart monarchy in the kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland took place in 1660 when King Charles II returned from exile in continental Europe. The preceding period of the Protectorate and the civil wars came to be known as the Interregnum. With new coinage urgently needed by the monarchy initially hammered coins were struck for Charles II, and it is believed this issue was a pattern by Thomas Simon for his proposed coinage or a medal issued to commemorate the restoration. 

* We note a PR55 graded specimen was sold by Atlas for $4,000, a almost identical example of this pattern was sold by Davisson Auctions for $2,600 and Spink sold a example for £2,400 hammer + 24% BP (£2976)

Provenance

Ex Lloyd Bennett (with old ticket pre dating 2006)