1966 900th Anniversary of The Battle of Hastings Gold Medallion Set - 3 Pieces

1066 - 1966 Battle of Hastings Gold 3 Medallion Set by John Pinches

This impressive set of three gold medals was issued to commemorate the 900th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings. It comprises of three different sized medallions; 4 oz, 3.75 oz and 1 oz. The set contains just over 7 troy ounces of gold. 

These medallions are struck from 0.9167 (22 carat) gold and come presented in a fitted leather box.

This set is accompanied by a John Pinches certificate, stating the weights, diameters, fineness, and that this was set number 2 of 500!

The edge is plain, apart from a serial number, 2 on our featured specimen, and a London hallmark with date letter k, the maker's mark JP.

Battle of Hastings

When King Edward of England (Edward the Confessor) died in 1066, he left no heir to the throne. The Anglo-Saxon King, Harold Godwinson, became his successor, which led to a three-way battle between the King, Harald Hardrada (the Viking king of Norway) and William, the Duke of Normandy. Harald Hardrada was killed at the Battle of Stamford Bridge, leaving King Harold and the Anglo-Saxons, and William and the French-Normans to fight for the crown.

The Battle of Hastings took place on 14th October, 1066. The Saxons created a shield wall of which the Normans spent most of the battle trying to defeat. Thinking the Normans were retreating, the Saxons left broke the shield in order to chase them, a mistake as the Normans has lured them away in order to kill them. Harold Godwinson was killed and the Normans defeated. William took the throne and was given the nickname William the Conqueror. The battle is famously shown on the Bayeux Tapestry.

The obverse features the shield and coat of arms of Hastings, above a longship with grotesque monsters at the prow and stern.

The legend and inscriptions read:

900^TH ANNIVERSARY (above the shield).
19 66 (at either side of the shield).
BATTLE OF HASTINGS (on the side of the boat).

The issuers signature appears at the bottom:

PINCHES LONDON

The reverse depicts a scene from the battle, presumaby taken from the Bayeux Tapestry, showing two mounted horsemen, one of whom holds his sword towards a standing soldier who is wielding a battleaxe. A number of arrows fly through the air.

The only inscription, in the exergue, on this side reads:

MLXVI (1066)