England - 1678 Charles II "Popish Plot" Medal - VERY RARE & DESIRABLE! NGC AU58

Description: This medal is a highly sought-after piece of history from England in 1678 during the reign of Charles II. It features an intricate design that commemorates the infamous "Popish Plot". The medal has been certified by NGC as AU58, indicating an overall well-preserved appearance. Made of white metal, this medal is a valuable addition to any collection. Its circulated status adds to its historical significance and the rarity of its condition. Manufactured in the United Kingdom, this medal is a must-have for coin and medal collectors alike. STUART - Charles II. 1660-1685. AR Medal (37mm, 25.64 g, 1h). Commemorating the Popish Plot, 1678. [By G. Bower]. • O • WHY • SO • FICKLE •, janiform head composed of monk in a cowl and a Jesuit in a biretta / BIRDS • OF • A • FEATHER • FLOCK • TOGETHER • • •, six heads. MI 579/252; Eimer 260a.NGC AU58 - An exceptional example and is the finest and ONLY piece graded by NGC! Rare and very sought after! The faces on the reverse maybe those of Lord Clifford, Lord Ashley, the Duke of Buckingham, Lord Arlington and the Duke of Lauderdale, all members of the King's cabinet sometimes referred to as the Cabal, an acronym of their names. The Popish Plot was part of a conspiracy against Catholics. The two main protagonists were a pair of corrupt clergymen, Titus Oates and Israel Tonge, who in 1678 claimed to have uncovered a 'Popish Plot' to murder Charles II and replace him with his Catholic brother, James. Such claims might well have been rejected out of hand, but for two co-incidences which occurred at this time and lent credibility to their case. The first was that Edward Coleman, one of the conspirators and also Secretary to both the Duke and Duchess of York, had actually been in treasonable correspondence with France; the second was the murder of Sir Edmund Berry Godfrey, the magistrate before whom Titus Oates swore his testimony. Godfrey's body was found strangled at the foot of Primrose Hill. The Gunpowder Plot and the widespread belief that the Fire of London had been started by Catholics, led the public to believe their suspicions were justified. A wave of paranoia swept through the nation and plots and sub-plots abounded. This was fueled by the financial slump of 1678 to 1679 and the consequent unemployment in London. As a result, the Whigs, led by the Earl of Shaftesbury, won a great majority in the House of Commons and passed the "Exclusion Bill" in an attempt to keep James from the throne (although the bill failed in the House of Lords). James was forced into exile. It was later discovered that Oates and Tonge had lied and the Whigs, having capitalized on near civil war, then suffered a decline in popularity.

Price: 1975 USD

Location: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

End Time: 2024-12-24T00:28:55.000Z

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