Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 24123 - British and World Coins and Medals featuring the Pritchard Collection of 18th Century Provincial Tokens and Commemorative Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 1040

Victoria Diamond Jubilee Medals (8) | Diamond Jubilee of Victoria, AR Medal, 1897, by The Mint, Birmingham, VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX, crowned and veiled bust left, rev. IN COMMEMORATION, VICTORIA 1837 - 1897; above, crowned coat-of-arms within Garter with lion and unicorn supporters; all set on wreath of oak and laurel, plain edge, 39mm, 28.25g, (Eimer -; BHM 3549), speckled and irregular toning, otherwise extremely fine; another, AR Medal, 1897, by Sale, VICTORIA QUEEN AND EMPRESS . DIAMOND JUBILEE 1897 ., crowned and veiled bust left, rev. H E RANDALL NORTHAMPTON MAYOR on banner above shield of Northampton, national flowers in angles, plain edge, 31mm, 13.02g, bruised on the rim, nevertheless extremely fine; another, AR Medal, 1897, by A. Wyon, VICTORIA QUEEN OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND, EMPRESS OF INDIA, crowned and veiled bust left, rev. IN ENGLAND'S STORY . A REIGN NE'ER EQUALLED . IN LENGTH OR GLORY . 20 JUNE ., crowned central shield with wreath around, plain edge, 45mm, 43.18g, (BHM 3575), with a pleasing blue tone to otherwise dull and dark grey surfaces, extremely fine; another, AR Medal, 1897, by E &C Ltd of Birmingham, VICTORIA . D . G . BR . REG . F . D . IND . I ., laureate, crowned and draped bust right, . MDCCCXCVII . below, rev. TO SIGNALIZE HER MAJESTY'S UNPARALLELED GLORIOUS REIGN, shields in quatrefoil, crowned portrait facing left, emblems around, plain edge, 45mm, 52.49g, with suspension loop, blanket of rich tone, much as struck; another, AR Medal, 1897, by J.M of Birmingham, VICTORIA, QUEEN AND EMPRESS, diademed and veiled bust left, rev. five line inscription within trefoil, emblems in angles, plain edge, 32mm, 15.65g (BHM 3599), rich cabinet toned, as struck; another, AR Medal, 1897, by unknown, VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX, crowned and draped bust left, 1897 below, rev. IN COMMEMORATION OF THE SIXTIETH YEAR OF HER MAJESTYS REIGN on banner, crowned trio of shields, plain edge, 36mm, 24.10g (BHM 3598), with a rich cabinet tone to flashy and lustrous fields, pleasing choice example; another, AR Medal, 1897, by J. Carter, VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX, crowned and draped bust left, rev. SIXTY YEARS OF A GLORIOUS REIGN COMPLETED, royal shield in Garter and wreath, 1837-1897 below, plain edge, 39mm, 23.82g (BHM 3536), rich cabinet tone to flashy and lustrous surfaces, pleasing choice; another, AR Medal, 1897, by F. Bowcher, VICTORIA QUEEN . AND . EMPRESS, crowned and draped bust left, dividing TO COMMEMORATE THE 60TH YEAR OF HER MAJESTYS REIGN, rev. imperial crown above VRI cypher, view of sea with lighthouse and ships in distance, five shields above, four shields and globe in exergue, plain edge, 38mm, 26.36g (BHM 3523), dark tone over lustrous surfaces, extremely fine (8)

The Pritchard Collection of 18th Century Provincial Tokens and Commemorative Medals



Queen Victoria was also the first British monarch to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee, prompting cause for a subsequent series of medals to mark the unprecedented national event. The second medal in this lot depicts the monarch of 60 years alongside the future kings Edward VII, George V and Edward VIII. As much as it was a historic and unprecedented occasion, it was also seen by some to be a political opportunity, to promote the idea of a global celebration fit for a monarch who ruled over 450 million people.



On 22nd June 1897, the aging Queen drove to St Paul's Cathedral where a Thanksgiving service was set to take place. At this late stage in her life, Victoria was struggling with severe arthritis and was therefore unable to climb the steps; as a result, the short service was delivered outside of the building. The Queen detailed her emotion when watching the crowds during the procession, calling their enthusiasm "truly marvellous and deeply touching. The cheering was quite deafening, and every face seemed to be filled with real joy."



Street feasts took place in large cities from London to Manchester, where free ale and tobacco was given out by Thomas Lipton; beacons across the UK were lit; there was both a garden party and a state banquet to mark the occasion and memorial fountains and towers were erected across the British Empire to mark the occasion. One newspaper wrote that "From one end of the land to the other, and indeed wherever the British flag flies, the day was marked in a special manner."


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

Sold for
£1,500

Starting price
£150