Rare gold touch piece of Queen Anne

Code: 11504

This is an original gold Touchpiece of Queen Anne, dating from 1702 - 1714 AD. Another in the Royal Collection Trust can be viewed here RCIN 443192. It would appear Queen Anne gave out far fewer of these 'Touchpieces' during her reign than King Charles II and James II. Queen Anne was the last Monarch to revive this long tradition and it subsequently died off with her. What we can be certain of is that Queen Anne would have personally touched this gold coin as she performed the healing ceremony. The medal was officially pierced and presented on a white ribbon. Its nice in having some wear, demonstrating the recipient wore it and cherished it as a healing pendant and talisman. Further information on these 'Touchpieces' can be read at the Royal College of Physicians website "Touching for ‘the King’s evil’: a short history" Interestingly one of the last 'touchings' of Queen Anne was of Samuel Johnson, born in 1709, who in later years remembered the Queen as 'a lady in diamonds, and a long black hood.' ... The medal displays archangel Michael spearing the devil (depicted as a dragon), the other side depicts a naval frigate similar to Queen Annes Revenge captained by the notorious pirate "Blackbeard". A nice historical object in good antique condition. RARE!

DENOMINATION: Touchpiece

CULTURE: Stuart Britain

MONARCH: Queen Anne

DATE: 1702 - 1714 AD

MATERIAL: Gold

SIZE: 21.6mm diameter

WEIGHT: 3.02 grams

PROVENANCE: Formerly in the Michael Gietzelt Collection of Scottish Coins