THE "CITY OF LONDON" SERIES OF MEDALS

(This Section updated on Wednesday, August 13, 2008)

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1831, Great Britain. THE OPENING OF LONDON BRIDGE. By Benjamin Wyon. AE 51mm. Obv: Bare head of William IV, right. Rev:  View of the bridge. BHM 1544, Welch 1, Eimer 1245. 700 specimens struck. Color a little uneven. Extremely fine. $175

1831, Great Britain. OPENING OF LONDON BRIDGE. By Benjamin Wyon. White metal 27mm. Obv: Armorial shield of the City of London. Rev: Bridge-House estates mark within an oak wreath. BHM 1545, Welch 2, Eimer 1247. A little dull, extremely fine. $45

1832, Great Britain. THE REFORM BILL. By Benjamin Wyon. AE 51mm. Obv: Liberty, kneeling, handing a scroll inscribed "REFORM" to Britannia. A medallion with the head of William IV above an inscribed monument. Rev: An inscription within a wreath with a crown above and the arms of the City of London below. BHM 1603, Welch 3, Eimer 1254. Cased. Insignificant spot on the obverse (near the rim at 4 o'clock), otherwise extremely fine. Sorry, SOLD

1834, Great Britain. FOUNDATION OF THE CITY OF LONDON SCHOOL. By Benjamin Wyon. Silver 58mm. Obv: Facade of the school. Rev: Knowledge seated, instructing a youth. BHM 1680, Welch 4, Eimer 1279. Cased. Some insignificant surface flaws, slight hairlines, otherwise extremely fine. Sorry, SOLD

1837, Great Britain. VISIT OF VICTORIA TO THE CITY OF LONDON. By William Wyon. AE 55mm. Obv: Diademed head facing left. Rev: Facade of the Guildhall. BHM 1775, Welch 5, Eimer1304. 350 struck. This is the most famous of Wyon's portraits. It was adapted for use on the first postage stamp, the "Penny Black." The obverse has been cleaned, but not harshly, leaving some luster, otherwise extremely fine.  $375

1849, Great Britain. OPENING OF THE COAL EXCHANGE IN THE CITY OF LONDON. By Benjamin Wyon. AE 89mm. Obv: Medallion portraits of the Royal Family with scenes of the arrival of Prince Albert, his children and dignatories. Rev: Interior view of the Exchange. 350 specimens struck. BHM 2357, Welch 6, Eimer 1435. Extremely fine. $525

1855. Great Britain/Italy. RECEPTION OF VICTOR EMMANUEL II AT THE GUILDHALL. By Benjamin Wyon. AE 77mm. Obv: Bust of Victor Emmanuel II, left. Leg: VICTORIUS EMMANUEL II REX SARDINAE IN LONDINIUM A PRAESIDE CIVIBUSQUE RECEPTUS (Victor Emmanuel II, King of Sardinia, received in London by the Lord Mayor and citizens). Rev: Londinia standing beside Britannia, seated and greeting Sardinia. Leg: LIBERI LIBERIS GRATULANTUR SOCIIS (Freemen congratulate their free allies). 350 issued. BHM 2567, Welch 8. Eimer 1499. In its original case. Lettering on the case somewhat faded, clasp not working. Extremely fine. $500

1855, Great Britain/France. RECEPTION FOR NAPOLEON III, EMPEROR FRANCE AT THE GUILDHALL. By Benjamin Wyon. AE 77mm. Obv: Conjoined busts of Napoleon III and Eugenie facing three-quarters left. Rev: Britannia introducing Gallia to Londinia. BHM 2561, Welch 7, Eimer 1496. 350 specimens struck. Extremely fine. $400

1863, Great Britain. ENTRY OF PRINCESS ALEXANDRA INTO THE CITY OF LONDON. By J.S. and A.B. Wyon. AE 77mm. Obv: Bare head of Princess Alexanra facing left. Rev: Londinia welcoming the Princess, who is led by the Prince of Wales. BHM 2783, Welch 9, Eimer 350 specimens struck. In its original case. Case scuffed, latch and hinge broken. Extremely fine. $400

1869, Great Britain. OPENING OF BLACKFRIARS BRIDGE AND HOLBORN VIADUCT. By G.G. Adams. AE 77mm. Obv: Diademed head head of Victoria, left. Rev: Views of the Bridge and Viaduct with two wreath. BHM 2906, Welch 11, Eimer 1604. 400 specimens struck.   In its original case. Gilding on case a little faded. Slightly uneven color and some insignificant contact marks, otherwise extremely fine. $375

1872, Great Britain. THANKSGIVING FOR THE RECOVERY OF THE PRINCE OF WALES. By J.S. and A.B. Wyon. AE 77mm. Obv: Londinia, attended by Britannia, inviting the Prince of Wales into St. Paul's Cathedral. Rev: Interior view of St. Paul's Cathedral. BHM 2928, Welch 12, Eimer 1618. 400 struck. Some insignificant spots in the detail of the reverse, extremely fine. $375

1873, Great Britain/Persia. VISIT OF NASR-ED-DIN, SHAH OF PERSIA TO THE CITY OF LONDON. Obv: Uniformed bust of Shah Nasr-ed-Din wearing a Persian fez and facing three-quarters left. Rev: Londinia standing before a view of St. Paul's and the Tower of London. BHM 2951, Welch 13, Eimer 1623. 400 specimens struck. One of the more sought after City of London medals that has realized as much as $1,400 at auction. Some abrasion on the high points of the obverse and a couple of small cuts on the fez; some insignificant discoloration on the reverse. $900

1874, Great Britain/Russia. VISIT OF CZAR ALEXANDER II OF RUSSIA TO LONDON. By Charles Wiener. AE 77mm. Obv: Uniformed bust of Alexander II facing left. Legend: ALEXANDER II RUSSORUM IMPERATOR (Alexander II, Emperor of Russia). Rev: Londinia attended by two cupids extending a welcoming hand to the Czar, Peace with outstretched arms and wings standing behing. Legend, in Gothic script: SERVORUM EMANCIPATOR LIBERAE CIVITATIS HOSPES. XVIII MAII MDCCCLXXIV. Exergue: LONDINI. (The liberator of the serfs and guest of a free city. 18 May 1874 at London). BHM 2981, Welch 14, Eimer 1634. In its original case. Color slightly uneven, two small edge bumps, otherwise extremely fine. Sorry, SOLD

1878, Great Britain. THE REMOVAL OF TEMPLE BAR. By Foot and Tebay. Made from lead removed from the roof of Temple Bar. 101mm and set in a brass frame to be used as a paperweight. Uniface. Obverse: Facade of Temple Bar. Legend on a ribband below: SIR C. WREN ARCHT. Legend around: TEMPLE BAR: ERECTED 1672, DEMOLISHED 1878; THIS EFFIGY OF IT WAS STRUCK FROM LEAD FORMERLY ON THE ROOF. BHM 3051, Welch 15, Eimer 1658. Unknown mintage, the rarest medal of the City of London series. A patch of metal pest and some solder on the reverse. $750

1880, Great Britain/Greece. RECEPTION FOR GEORGE I, KING OF GREECE. By George Gammon Adams. AE 76mm. Obv: Bust, left. Rev: Londinia accompanied by Britannia welcomes Hellas. St. Paul's Cathedral in the background. BHM 3077, Welch 16, Eimer 1668. 400 struck. Patina, a slightly uneven. Extremely fine. $725

1882, Great Britain. VISIT OF VICTORIA TO EPPING FOREST. By Charles Wiener. AE 75mm. Obv: Crowned, veiled bust of Victoria, left. Rev: Londinia and the Queen in the forest. BHM 3128, Welch 17, Eimer 1689. 400 struck. Color very slightly unven, extremely fine. $325

1882, Great Britain. OPENING OF THE NEW BUILDING OF THE CITY OF LONDON SCHOOL. By J.S. and A.B. Wyon. AE 76mm. Obv: Conjoined busts of Prince and Princess of Wales. Rev: The new building. BHM 3133. Welch 18, Eimer 1690. 400 struck. In its original case. Extremely fine. $375

Another without its case. Extremely fine. $325

1884, Great Britain. OPENING OF THE NEW COUNCIL CHAMBER, GUILDHALL. By J.S. and A.B. Wyon. AE 77mm. Obv: Londinia with various figures in attendance. Rev: a finely detailed view of the interior of the Council Chamber. BHM 3177, Welch 19, Eimer 1705. 400 specimens struck. In its original case. Extremely fine. $400

1885, Great Britain. ADMISSION OF PRINCE ALBERT VICTOR OF WALES TO THE FREEDOM OF THE CITY OF LONDON. By George Gammon Adams. AE 77mm. Obv: bust, right, within a wreath. Rev: The Prince receiving the Freeedom from the Chamberlain. BHM 3182. Welch 20. Eimer 1717. 400 struck. Extremely fine. $275

1886, Great Britain/India. COLONIAL AND INDIAN RECEPTION AT THE GUILDHALL. By Elkington & Co. AE 77mm. Obv: A mantle decorated with a crowned, royal shield. Three colonial shields upon crossed flags. Leg: TO COMMEMORATE THE COLONIAL AND INDIAN RECEPTION AT THE GUILDHALL, LONDON, 1886. Rev: Interior view of the Guildhall. BHM 3214, Welch 21, Eimer 1726. 450 struck. Extremely fine. $325

1887, Great Britain. QUEEN VICTORIA'S JUBILEE. By Anton Scharff. AE 80mm. Obv: Conjoined young and jubilee busts of Victoria, left. Rev: Britannia in a car drawn by lions and led by a putto. Justice and Prudence on either side. BHM 3284, Welch 22 Eimer 1732. 450 struck. Extremely fine. $475

1889, Great Britain. 700TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MAYORALTY OF THE CITY OF LONDON. By A. Kirkwood & Sons. AE 77mm. Obv: Two conjoined circles containing busts of Richard I and Queen Victoria; seven entwined circles above, St. George and the dragon below. Rev: St. Michael presenting the City sceptre to an allegorical figure of the City of London. BHM 3377, Welch 23, Eimer 1752. 450 specimens struck. In its original (but damaged) case. Case scuffed. Extremely fine. $425 

1891, Great Britain/Germany. VISIT OF THE EMPEROR OF GERMANY TO THE CITY OF LONDON. By Elkington & Co. AE 77mm. Obv: Conjoined busts of the Emperor and Empress facing right. The Emperor is in the uniform of the suirassiers. BHM 3412, Welch 24, Eimer 1768. 450 specimens struck. In its original case. The case slightly damaged. Extremely fine. Sorry, SOLD

1893, Great Britain. MARRIAGE OF THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF YORK. By G. G. Adams. AE 76mm. Obv: Conjoined busts, left. Rev: Londinia welcoming the couple, who are advancing in a triumphal car driven by Cupid and drawn by two horses. BHM 3452, Welch 25, Eimer 1780. 450 struck.  Extremely fine. $375

1893, Great Britain/Denmark. VISIT OF THE KING AND QUEEN OF DENMARK TO THE CITY OF LONDON. By Frank Bowcher. AE 77mm. Obv: Conjoined busts of Christian IX and Louise facing right. Rev: Londinia seated. BHM 3454, Welch 26, Eimer 1783. 450 specimens struck.  In its original case. Extremely fine. $275

Another without its case. $275

1894, Great Britain. THE OPENING OF TOWER BRIDGE. By Frank Bowcher. AE 77mm. Obv: Conjoined busts of Princess Alexandra, Queen Victoria and the Prince of Wales facing three-quarters left. Rev: A ship passing under the raised bridge. BHM 3476, Eimer 1790.  Extremely fine. Sorry, SOLD

1897, Great Britain. DIAMOND JUBILEE OF QUEEN VICTORIA. By Frank Bowcher. AE 76mm. Obv: Crowned, veiled bust of Victoria, left. Rev: Britannia, seated, receiving Londinia, Mercury and a figure symbolising Agriculture. BHM 3510, Eimer 1815. 500 specimens struck. Color a little uneven. Extremely fine. Sorry, SOLD

1900, Great Britain/South Africa. RETURN OF CITY OF LONDON VOLUNTEERS FROM SOUTH AFRICA. By Sir George Frampton. AE 77mm. Obv: Londinia, flanked by four allegorical figures blowing elephant-tusk horns, receiving a volunteer. Rev: The Union Jack and the Volunteer standard on a single pole atop a mound surrounded by trees. 550 specimens struck. BHM 3684, Eimer 1848. Color very slightly uneven on the reverse, otherwise extremely fine. $300

1902, Great Britain. VISIT OF KING EDWARD VII AND QUEEN ALEXANDRA TO THE GUILDHALL. By Searle & Co. AE 77mm. Obv: Conjoined busts, left. Leg: IN HONOUR OF THE VISIT OF THEIR MAJESTIES KING EDWARD VII & QUEEN ALEXANDRA TO THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF LONDON . 25. OCT . 1902. Rev: Londinia offering an Address to Their Majesties seated left with the Guildhall in the background. BHM 3868, Eimer 1874. 300 specimens issued. In its original case. Extremely fine. $525

1973, Great Britain. OPENING OF THE NEW LONDON BRIDGE. Silver-gilt 51mm. Obv: A view of the bridge. Rev: Arms of the City of London. In its original case with certificate. Eimer 2127. Toning a little uneven, extremely fine. $75

1973, Great Britain. OPENING OF THE NEW LONDON BRIDGE. AE 51mm. Obv: A view of the bridge. Rev: The arms of the City of London. In its original case. Eimer 2127. Extremely fine. Sorry sold.