Lot 2413
Great Britain. Victoria Diamond Jubilee Medal, 1897. By G.W.de Saulles. A piedfort piece struck in brass. 98.59 grams. 56 mm. Edge plain. Unique in this thickness and metal. Obverse; Old veiled head of Queen by Thomas Brock, as on the currency coins of 1893-1901. VICTORIA ANNVM REGNI SEXAGESIMVM FELICITER CLVADIT XX IUN MDCCCXCVII around bust. Reverse; Young portrait of Queen by William Wyon, dividing inscription LONGITVDO DIERVM IN DEXTERAEIVS ET IN SINISTRA GLORIA. NGC graded AU-55. Estimate Value $1,500 - 2,000
*This is the official Royal Mint issue. 3,275 examples were made in gold, 19,498 made in silver, and tens of thousands made in copper. From the Royal Mint records it appears that a few pieces were made in brass, although this metal was never adopted for the regular issue medals.
The Royal Mint Museum states that they have a few trial strikings (to test color types at the time) in the RM collection, but nothing which matches the thickness (or consequent heavy weight) of this medal. Therefore it must be considered unique as a piedfort, and probably the only brass experimental piece in private hands. The weight of this piece at 98.59 grams is actually heavier than that of the gold version (93 grams). A fascinating piece of Victorian numismatic history.
Comes with official gold embossed red case and Royal Mint letter.
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