1890/107
Jewel & Medal Collection - Worcestershire Museum of Freemasonry
Silver Medal: Death of King Charles XIII. 1818
Date:- 1818 - Classification:- Person; Death
Country of Origin:- Sweden -
Order:- Craft (& Freemasonry General)
Description
Struck by the Grand Lodge of Sweden, in Stockholm. The legend of the reverse is from Ovid. Hildebraud II., 291, says “The eulogist of King Charles in the Grand Lodge said that with his own hands while G.M. he had written the laws and by-laws of the Order, and attested the immense value of the work of the Masonic Fraternity.” Marvin describes this medal from an impression in the Pythagoras Collection. Merzdorf’s description has some literal errors. Findel says the king delivered to his adopted son and successor, Charles John, the gavel of office, May 27, 1811. This was seven years previous to the date of the medal, and can only be explained by the theory that all Swedish Masonic rites acknowledge the King as the highest power.
OBVERSE.—Bust of King Charles to right, under which in small letters, “N. Frnmerie.” Legend, “Carolus XIII. Rex Sveciae Et Norviegiae” (Charles XI1I., King of Sweden and Norway).
REVERSE.—An altar tomb; on the pedestal of which are two weeping genii, with reversed and expiring torches. Between them at the foot of the tomb are Masonic working tools—the square, compasses, level, gavel, and trowel. Legend above, “Aeternus Tamen” (Yet eternal). In exergue, in four lines, ‘ Protectori Et. Per. XLV. Ann Supr. Mug. L Fr. Mur. Svuci MDCCCXVIII.” (Protector and for forty-five years Grand Master of the Masonic Fraternity of Sweden, 1818).
Properties
55 mm. Silver
