Great Britain: International Exhibition: Building / Britannia and Commerce
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Form:
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Circular
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By:
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Messrs. Pinches, London |
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Date:
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1862 |
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Ref:
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BHM: 2739, 2740; Laidlaw: 0899;
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Variations:
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| Size | Metal | Mass | Value |
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| 51 mm | Aluminium | | $170 | | 51.1 mm | White Metal | 42.5 gm | $60 | | 41.8 mm | Bronze | 41.2 gm | $75 | | 42 mm | Bronze (no WEST FRONT) | | $75 | | 41.5 mm | White Metal (incuse, No WEST FRONT) | 20.4 gm | $75 |
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Edge:
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Plain.
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Obverse:
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View of the west entrance to the exhibition building. On a plinth below: "WEST FRONT". Legend above: "INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION". In the exergue: "OPENED MAY 1ST. / MDCCCLXII (in an arc)".
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Reverse:
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Seated figures of Britannia (right) and Commerce (left). Britannia holding a wreath in her right hand and the British Union flag in her left with items of art, manufacture and industry on the right. Commerce holding a flag marked: "EUROPE / ASIA / AFRICA / AMERICA / AUSTRALASIA" with ships at anchor on the left and items of trade below a harbour wall. Signed round the rim at the foot: "PINCHES LONDON".
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Notes:
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BHM records that the 51 mm were made in bronze, white metal and aluminium (RR) and the 42 mm medals were made in in bronze and white metal. Varieties are found in which the words: "WEST FRONT" are missing from the plinth and the lettering on the flag held by Commerce is incused.
The 1862 International Exhibition was held from 1 May to 1 November, beside the gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society, South Kensington, London.
South Africa was represented only by Colony of Natal, the Cape Colony having refused to allocate funds. There were exhibits of agricultural products, notably from the rapidly growing sugar industry. Aspects of Zulu culture and the flora a fauna of Natal were on display.
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