English: Medal, 1653, Thomas Simon V&A Museum no. 815-1904

Techniques - Struck or cast silver

Place - London, England

Dimensions - Height 3.8 cm (including loop), Depth 0.25 cm, Diameter 3.3 cm

Object Type - Portrait medallions were produced in considerable numbers for both sides during the Civil War. They could be worn to show loyalty, and may also have been given as rewards.

People - This medal portrays Sir James Harrington (b.1609), a Member of Parliament for the county of Rutland. He commanded part of the Parliamentary army at the battle of Newbury in 1644, an event recorded on the reverse of the medal. He is portrayed on the obverse (front), long-haired and wearing armour, in profile facing left. The reverse is inscribed with his offices and the date of the battle.

Abraham Simon (1617-1692) and his brother Thomas (1618-1665) were the most distinguished native-born medallists working in 17th-century England. They were also responsible for coinage minted under the Commonwealth. In this medal, the portrait was modelled in wax by Abraham and then cast in silver by Thomas. Although admired by Thomas Cromwell, who described him as 'ingenious and worthy of incouragement', Thomas Simon later worked for Charles II at the Royal Mint.

Materials & Making -

The medal was either 'struck' or cast. Struck medals were produced from metal dies engraved with the design in reverse. A flat disc was placed between the dies, which were then compressed, so that the design was reproduced on the metal. This technique meant that a high number of medals could be made using the same dies over and over, whereas the technique of casting medals was generally more complex and therefore usually suitable only for smaller numbers.