Summary

Alternative Name(s): London World Exposition 1862 Medal

Class 1 bronze medal awarded to Sir Frederick McCoy 'for collection of fossils, illustrating the order of the sedimentary rocks, and for good engraved plates of fossils' at the International Exhibition, London. The medal was struck by the Royal Mint, London.

The exhibition was held in South Kensington, 1 May - 15 November 1862. The exhibition's organizers hoped to surpass the wildly successful London World Exposition of 1851, and certainly more exhibits were displayed from more exhibitors in more countries. It was possibly too ambitious, the architecture of the exhibition was soundly criticized, and the recent death of Albert and non-attendance of Queen Victoria at the opening cast a solemn mood.

Physical Description

Obverse: Britannia seated on a raised dais beside a crouching lion surrounded by six women representing Industry, Agriculture and The Arts,and inscription. Reverse: Inscription within a wreath of oak.

Obverse Description

Britannia seated on a raised dais beside a crouching lion surrounded by six women representing Industry, Agriculture and The Arts, in small letter below the lion, D. MACLISE R.A. DES. LEONARD C. WYON FEC.

Reverse Description

Within a wreath of oak, 1862 / LONDINI / HONORIS / CAUSA and in small letters the artist's name, L.C. WYON FEC.

Edge Description

Impressed, PROF. FREDK. McCOY. CLASS I

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