Medals
Medals have been minted to celebrate Coronations throughout history. The Royal Mint has made many of these medals for different monarchs over the years.
Gold medals would often be given to important people who were involved with the Coronation and silver medals were given out to the crowds of well-wishers.
Below you can see the medals for all the Kings and Queens from James I in 1603 to Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. Can you work out who is who?
Not all Coronation crowds of the past were as well behaved as you might expect. The tradition of giving medals to the crowds watching the event could sometimes get quite dangerous.
During the Coronations of William IV in 1831, and Queen Victoria in 1838, medals were thrown into the crowd causing a scramble to get hold of them which sometimes resulted in fights and injuries. Many of these medals would land on the floor and people ended up scrabbling around on the ground trying to grab one.
In one incident an official who was handing out medals was bundled to the ground and his sword was broken into pieces.
Today Coronations are much calmer, and we no longer throw medals out to the crowds.
Download our activity sheet and make a mobile using coronation medals. Can you design your own coronation medal for King Charles III?