Rights Holder: Derby Museums Trust
CC License:
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Unique ID: DENO-4E0E42
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A copper alloy post-medieval commemorative medal of Frederick the Great, struck around 1758 in celebration of Frederick's victory in the battle of Krefeld (see notes). Probably struck in Great Britain by John Kirk.
Obverse shows laureate military three-quarter figure to left (Frederick). Lettering around, toothed border: FREDERICK KING OF PRUSSIA
Reverse shows military three-quarter figure to right (Ferdinand, Prince of Brunswick). Lettering around, toothed border: FERDINANDUS PRINCEPS (Ferdinand was Field-Marshall at Krefeld).
Diameter 22 mm, thickness 1 mm. Weight 2.3 g.
Notes:
Probably struck in Great Britain by John Kirk. Frederick the Great & the Duke, Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick his Field Marshall. Struck for The Battle of Krefeld (sometimes referred to by its French name of Créfeld) a battle fought on June 23, 1758 between a Prussian-Hanoverian army commanded by Prince Ferdinand and a French army during the Seven Years' War.
It is suspected this might just be the work of John Kirk as the obverse inscription is in English, which points to an English maker. Kirk had engraved another medal of Prince Ferdinand (battle of Minden 1759) and he did make both expensive and cheap medals. The quaint manner of this portrait reminds one of those other portraits of Frederick the Great, on pieces struck during the Seven Year's War and, likewise, of Admiral Vernon medals. It is curious that the reverse is in Latin, but Kirk was conversant with both Latin and English.
After Minden, King George II of Great Britain gave the Duke the order of the Garter, and the thanks of the British.
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1758
Date to: Circa AD 1760
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 1 mm
Weight: 2.3 g
Diameter: 22 mm
Date(s) of discovery: Thursday 1st February 2018 - Wednesday 28th February 2018
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Other reference: Derby E8750
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Struck or hammered
Completeness: Complete
4 Figure: SK2841
Four figure Latitude: 52.96563684
Four figure longitude: -1.58456663
1:25K map: SK2841
1:10K map: SK24SE
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
No references cited so far.