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Great Britain: Queen Victoria Golden Jubilee: Official Issue from Royal Mint

Great Britain: Queen Victoria Golden Jubilee: Official Issue from Royal MintGreat Britain: Queen Victoria Golden Jubilee: Official Issue from Royal Mint
Great Britain: Queen Victoria Golden Jubilee: Official Issue from Royal MintGreat Britain: Queen Victoria Golden Jubilee: Official Issue from Royal Mint
Great Britain: Queen Victoria Golden Jubilee: Official Issue from Royal MintGreat Britain: Queen Victoria Golden Jubilee: Official Issue from Royal Mint
Great Britain: Queen Victoria Golden Jubilee: Official Issue from Royal MintGreat Britain: Queen Victoria Golden Jubilee: Official Issue from Royal Mint
Form: Circular
By: L.C. Wyon after Sir J.E. Boehm (obv) and Sir Frederick Leighton (rev)
Date: 1887
Ref:  BHM: 3219; Eimer: 1733; Fearon: 338.1; Laidlaw: 0392;
Variations:
SizeMetalMassValue
77.4 mmSilver217 cm $650
77 mmCopper-Bronze218 gm$220
77.6 mmGilded Bronze210 gm$220
58.2 mmGold (22ct)84.1 gm$5,500

Edge: Plain. Thickness of silver medal ar rim is 5.6 mm.

Obverse: Veiled bust of Queen Victoria wearing small crown, left: Signed: "J.E.B." on the truncation. Legend: ""VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX".

Reverse: Enthroned figure Empire attended by three female figures, representing science, arts and letters, standing on the left and two female figures, representing agriculture and industry, standing on the right. Reclining below, Mercury and Genius. Above two winged figures, representing 1837 and 1887, holding wreaths with the: "VRI" monogram inside the overlap. At the top in an arc: "IN.COMMEMORATION". Signed: "FL" at the left end of the bottom step. In the exergue, flanked by laurel, five interlocked shields: "ASIA", AMERICA", "EUROPE", "AUSTRAL / ASIA" and "AFRICA"

Notes: Issued singly inside a red leather case with the Royal Arms embossed in gold on the outside of the lid and lined inside with white silk and blue velvet. Occasionally all three medals are found inside an oblong red fitted case lined with blue silk and blue velvet. On the inside of the lid, "(crown) / SPINK &SON / NUMISMATISTS & MEDALLISTS / 2 GRACECHURCH ST. LONDON / ESTD. 1772" and on the outside: "JUBILEE MEDALS / 1887".

Sometimes found with a card on which appears the description of the design of the reverse which reads:

In the centre a figure representing the British Empire sits enthroned, with the sea in the background, resting one hand on the sword of Justice, and holding in the other the symbol of victorious rule. A lion is seen on each side of the throne. At the feet of the seated figure lies Mercury, the God of Commerce, the mainstay of our imperial strength, holding up in one hand a cup heaped with gold. Opposite him sits the Genius of Electricity and Steam. Below, again, five shields banded together bear the names of the five parts of the globe, Europe, Asia, Africa, America and Australasia, over which the Empire extends. On each side of the figure of Empire stand the personified elements of its greatness – on the right (of the spectator) Industry and Agriculture; on the left, Science, Letters and Arts. Above, the occasion of the celebration commemorated is expressed by two winged figures representing the year 1887 (the advancing figure), and the year 1837 (with averted head), holding each a wreath. Where these wreaths interlock the letters V.R.I. appear, and over all the words β€œIn Commemoration.”

The reverse of the gold medal has a rope design round the rim.

Mintages:
Gold 944
Silver 2289
Bronze 4257