Allan Wyon was a member of the celebrated dynasty of coin, medal and seal engravers. He became Chief Engraver of Her Majesty's Seals. Allan Wyon co-authored with his brother, Alfred Benjamin Wyon, the first major study of the 'Great Seals of England', published in 1887.

The Wyons are some of the most celebrated and talented coin and medal engravers in England. Their period of activity extends from before the middle of the eighteenth century to almost the end of the nineteenth century. It is believed that Peter George (II) Wyon came to England from Cologne, Germany, during the reign of King George II. He brought with him a boy who grew up to be George (III) Wyon. George (III) Wyon in turn had two sons, Thomas (I) and Peter, both of whom distinguished themselves as medallists and engravers of dies for coinage. Thomas (I) had three sons: Allan Wyon, Benjamin, also a medallist, and Joseph Shepherd. Benjamin had two sons, Joseph Shepherd and Alfred Benjamin, both of whom also became medallists. Peter was the father of William Wyon, the most famous of the Wyon family of artists. William, in turn, was the father of Leonard Charles Wyon.

Allan Wyon designed medals in 1899 for the National Gallery of Victoria and Russell School of Engineering University of New South Wales (Forrer Supp.). Around 1900 he designed the University of Sydney Prize medal (NU 20521).

References:
Christopher Eimer (medals and medallic art) website http://www.christophereimer.co.uk/single/8489.html, accessed 18/2/2004.
Historical and Commemorative Medals in the Collection of Benjamin Weiss http://www.historicalartmedals.com, accessed 18/2/2004.

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