DASSIER, Jean: England, 1731, Bronze, 41 mm
Obv: Bust of Henry II    HENRICUS. II. D.G. ANG. ET HIB. REX.
Rev: On monument the king is kneeling at the shrine of St. Thomas a Becket. Below, Mars seated amid military trophies, leaning on the shield of England and holding a Victory. The lilies of France on the standard and prostrate shield of Ireland indicate the scenes of the exploits of this military monarch.  NATUS 1133 CORONAT. 1155 MORT. 1189
Signed: I.D.
The correct date of the coronation is 1154.
Ref: M.I. i, p.3; Eimer 27/5; Eisler I, 254/7; Thompson 23/05

Henry II (1133-1189) (Henry de Anjou; Henry Plantagenet) was Duke of Normandy, Count of Anjou, Duke of Aquitaine and King of England from 1154 to 1189. Henry II greatly expanded his Anglo-French domains and strengthened the royal administration in England. His wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and his sons, Richard the Lion-Heart and John Lackland, ultimately brought about his defeat. He quarreled with Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, and was responsible for his murder, an act which outraged most of Europe. In 1174 Henry did public penance at Canterbury to atone for Becket’s death. (Thompson)