18th Century Coronation Medal Designed By Isaac Newton

A coronation medal designed by Isaac Newton was discovered by a student at Oxford University.

14:25 20 March 2015

An 18th century coronation medal designed by Isaac Newton was discovered by postgraduate student Joseph Hone. He found a manuscript revealing that the scientist designed the medal in 1702 solely for Queen Anne’s coronation. 

 

The medal’s design symbolises the dual threats of France and rival Stuart claimants to the throne. 

 

Mr Hone, an English PhD student on a Oxford and Exeter university project, said: "The modern obsession with separating science and the humanities falls down when you go back a few centuries.” 

 

"It's not that he didn't see them as separate, but more that he saw them as inseparable."

 

"It tells us that Newton didn't conceive of himself as a scientist, but a master of lots of trades. The understanding of him as a great scientist is a later imposition, he would have seen himself more as a public servant."

 

Meanwhile, the co-director of the project, Paulina Kewes, from Oxford's English department, said: "The notes and sketches for this medal give us an insight into the politics surrounding Anne's succession and Isaac Newton's surprising role in them."