Coronation of Charles I, 1626, silver medal by Nicholas Briot.

Coronation of Charles I, 1626, silver medal by Nicholas Briot, crowned and draped bust right, CAROLVS. I. D.G. MAG. BRITAN. FRAN. ET. HIB. REX rev. a celestial arm holds an upright sword, DONEC. PAX. REDDITA. TERRIS, in exergue, CORON. 2. FEBRV. 1626., 30mm, 7.51g (MI i 243/10; Eimer 106).Fine, rare.

In the highly competitive world of 17th century die-engraving, Pierre Regnier and Nicholas Briot were rivals at the highest level. When Briot attempted to introduce technologically advanced minting methods in France, and monopolise them, Regnier pushed back, his efforts ultimately resulting in Briot's move to England. While Regnier continued at the Paris Mint with a traditional labour force and techniques, Briot's innovations were welcomed in London by Charles I and it is Briot who became synonymous with the coins and medals of that reign. Regnier's marriage medal then, and Briot's coronation medal, represent a sea change in British numismatics.

The marriage between Charles and Henrietta Maria was originally intended as a useful political union bridging the Protestant / Catholic divide but ironically the devoutly Catholic queen refused to attend a protestant coronation ceremony or be crowned by a Protestant bishop. She was never crowned queen, the king refusing her proposed compromise of allowing a French Catholic bishop to perform a separate ceremony for her alone. Despite their cultural and religious differences, in time the couple did become devoted to one another.