Great Britain: British Empire Medal: Edward VII / Lord Roberts on Horseback
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Form:
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Circular.
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By:
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Frank Bowcher for Spink & Son, London |
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Date:
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1901 |
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Ref:
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AM: 66; Hern: 154; Eimer: 1859; Fearon: 352.5; Laidlaw: 0039;
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Variations:
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| Size | Metal | Mass | Value |
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| 103 mm | Gold | 790.4 gm | $34,000 | | 105 mm | Silver | 325 gm | $2,400 | | 101.1 mm | Bronze | 401 gm | $1,200 |
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Edge:
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Plain. Numbered. Silver medal marked: “PURE SILVER”. Bronze medal marked: "BRONZE". This gold medal stamped: "No. 3". This silver medal stamoped: No. 5". This bronze medal stamped No.24".
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Obverse:
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In the centre, encircled by a laurel wreath, a medal-like circular design showing crowned bust of Edward VII facing left with the legend : “EDWARD.VII.DG (left) REX.ET.I: (right)”. The peripheral design incorporates a variety of subjects. Standing to the left, the figure of Justice, behind her on a scroll: “IVSTITIA”, a view of the City of Pretoria above. Standing to the right, the figure of Industry, behind him on a scroll: “INDVSTRIA”, a view of the Houses of Parliament and Palace of Westminster above. At the top, the figure of Peace holding a dove in her right hand and an olive branch in her left. At the foot, a view of the City of Bloemfontein in front of which is a shield displaying the Union flag and ribbons inscribed: “TRANSVAAL”, “ORANGE RIVER”, and “COLONIES”. The legend at the top around the rim reads: “OPPRESSORVM CONSERVATOR”. Signed round the rim on the left: “SPINK.F / F.BOWCHER.INV.SC”.
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Reverse:
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Design dominated by the equestrian figure of Lord Roberts upon a rocky ledge, in uniform, left with head turned to the front. In flight above him, two winged angels; Victory, blowing her trumpet; and Fame, lauding Roberts with a laurel wreath. Behind him, against a background of mountains, rows of troops advancing towards the left and on the right an artillery piece. In an arc near the top left rim: “SOUTH AFRICA”, to the right across: “VIRTVTE / ET DVCTV.”. In the exergue: “PAX.QVÆRITVR.BELLO / 1901”. Signed round the rim on the left: “F.BOWCHER.INV.SC / SPINK.FECIT”
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Notes:
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Comes inside a leather shied-shaped case. The lid is in two halves which open on hinges to the left and right. The medal rests on a raised velvet-lined frame. The inside of each half-lid is lined with silk. One the left half-lid is a description of the medal’s obverse design and on the right a description of the reverse design. The maker’s name: SPINK & SON LONDON” is embossed on the inside edge at the bottom.
It is recorded that two medals were produced in gold, 50 in silver and 150 in bronze.
Curiously, the gold medal here is stamped: “No. 3” on the edge. Spink suggests that this third gold medal was special struck for King Farouk of Egypt. It sold for £17,000 at Spink’s auction No 8012, Lot 215 on 26th June 2008.
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