PDFPrintE-mail

Great Britain: Ascension of King Edward VII / British and Empire Coat of Arms

Great Britain: Ascension of King Edward VII / British and Empire Coat of ArmsGreat Britain: Ascension of King Edward VII / British and Empire Coat of Arms
Form: Circular
By: Arthur Fenwick, Birmingham
Date: 1901
Ref:  BHM: 3696 (bronze and WM); Laidlaw: 0948;
Variations:
SizeMetalMassValue
38.3 mmSilver20.3 gm$230

Edge: Plain.

Obverse: Crowned bust of the King in uniform with medals, left. Divided by the bust, across in ornate letters: "ER (left) 1901 (right)". Legend above left between ornaments: "EDWARD VII", above right between ornaments: "KING AND EMPEROR" and below: "GOD SAVE THE KING".

Reverse: Two shields inclined toward each other and overlapping. The left shield, representing the British Empire, is quartered with: (1) Star of India, (2) kangaroo – Australia, (3) scale balance – New Zealand and (4) beaver – Canada and with a small shield of the Cape Colony superimposed in the centre. On the right shield, the British Royal coat of arms. To the left, a garland with a rose (England), shamrocks (Ireland) and thistles (Scotland). To the right, a laurel branch. Above, the Imperial Crown. Two clasped hands across the divide between the shields at the bottom. On a ribbon below: “LONG MAY HE REIGN OVER US”. Above the ribbon, and below the hands: “RD. 355487”. Legend on a raised band above: "TO COMMEMORATE THE ASCENSION OF H.G. M.EDWARD VII TO THE BRITISH THRONE" and below between stops: "JANUARY 1901". Silver medal stamped: "A.F" below the ribbon on the left and with the Birmingham hallmarks for sterling silver (b 1901-2) on the right.

Notes: Comes inside an unmarked red leather case lined on the inside with white silk and blue velvet.

King Edward VII (Albert Edward; 1841-1910) was the eldest son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. He succeeded to the throne on his mother's death on 22 January 1902.

Fenwick used the reverse design of this medal on several other medals from this period. All bear the registration number 355487.