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Description:
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Badge of the mathematical scholars of Christ's Hospital, uniface in thin plate. Obverse: Three figures, two being female, stand on the sea-shore with a Bluecoat boy in the foreground. One representing Arithmetic (left) holds a tablet, her left hand resting upon the boy's head. Mathematics holds a triangle and compasses (centre) and the male figure of Astronomy holding an armillary sphere (right) with a cross staff visible above his right shoulder. Above on clouds the infant Fame is shown blowing a trumpet and one cherub holds a caduceus, signifying genius. Zephyrs blow a favourable wind upon ships below in distance (left). Legend: 'AVSPICIO CAROL SECVNDI . REGIS . 1673.' (Under the auspice of King Charles II.)
These silver badges were struck for sewing to the coats of the 40 mathematical scholars of the nautical school - known as the Royal Mathematical Foundation - established within Christ's Hospital School (the Bluecoat school) in 1672 by Charles II.
This is a mint-condition unperforated example, but they were usually pierced round the rim for sewing: PLT0746 is a pierced example. The design is a simplified variation of the reverse of the foundation medal of the mathematical school, also by Roettier (see MEC0878). It is assumed they were struck in batches, the early ones being silver but none being hall-marked. They are therefore not precisely dateable except to say that at some point in the mid-18th century, when it was found that boys were selling them for their silver value, they were replaced with the same design in silver plate. In 1686 Henry Stone provided funds for a further 12 mathematical scholars, who had a different silver badge, of which the die was paid for by Sir Isaac Newton. This was also later changed to plate for the same reason.
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