Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 19007 - Coins and Commemorative Medals: Winter Auction
Lot: 390

Prime Minister, The Right Honourable George Canning MP, Memorial Medal, 1827, in gold, by Galle, bare head left, signature below, rev. a la concorde des peuples in outer legend, liberte | civile | et religeuse | dans | l'univers | 1827 in centre, lamp hallmark on lower edge, 98.64g, 51mm. (Eimer -; BHM -; Wurzbach 1190), die flaws above head and an overt carbon spot to centre of reverse, otherwise extremely fine, and extremely rare in this metal, probably the only example in private hands

Upon his appointment as Prime Minister on 12 April 1827, Canning had to negotiate with the Whig leader Lord Lansdowne to form a coalition government after seven of the previous cabinet including Wellington and Peel resigned. Whilst initially successful, the pneumonia he had contracted at the funeral of the Duke of York in January of that year, plagued his premiership, leaving George Canning with the rather unceremonious title of the shortest serving Prime Minister in British history (at least at time of print!), surviving just 117 days in office before his untimely death in August 1827.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£4,000

Starting price
£2800