Denomination: Medallion
Period: Victorian
Date: 1897
Origin: Tower
Mint, London, engraved by George William Saulles
Condition: EF
toned
Obverse: Mature
head of Victoria wearing draped crown, left, legend around
Reverse: Young
portrait of Victoria facing left, legend either side
Size
and Weight: 25.5mm, 9.65g
References: British
Historical Medals #3506
Features
and Provenance: Victoria was born in 1819 and enjoyed the
longest reign of any British monarch until, that is, Elizabeth II. This long
reign resulted in an extensive coinage in gold, silver and
copper; additional mints were opened too, in Australia, to produce gold
sovereigns. The coinage can be
split into three distinct head types: the young head (of which our medal
has an example), the Jubilee head and the 'old' head. The young head,
showing the Queen with her hair in a bun was used until she was 68! For her
50th year on the throne in 1887, the head was updated showing her wearing
her smaller imperial crown which she had made in 1870 so she could wear it on
state occasions over her widow's cap (Albert, her beloved husband, had died in
1861). The final bust, issued in 1893, shows a mature Victoria, veiled and this
is seen on our medal too.
Condition
Summary. This varies with the age of coin and
there are grades between
Uncirculated
(U). As struck with no traces of wear
Extremely
Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear, all
parts of legend etc present, visible and clear
Very
Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher
parts of the relief, all parts of legend etc present, but maybe worn
Fine
(F). Wear on the coin and parts of legend
etc may be missing or not visible
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Code 23020643