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Auction: 344 - The Numismatic Collector's Series Sale at Grand Hyatt, NY INC
Lot: 204

Great Britain. Victoria. Medal in Acknowledgement of the Generous Gift of Baron da Boa Vista, 1850. Gold. 45.2mm, 66.3 gms. Young head of Victoria wearing tiara left, signed W. WYON. RA on truncation; VICTORIA D:G: BRITANNIARUM REGINS F:D:, rev. Within elaborate crowned wreath: FROM THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO THE BARON DA BOA VISTA; IN ACKNOWLDEGMENT OF HIS GENEROUS GIFT OF LAND FOR THE BRITISH CEMETERY OF PERNAMBUCO around, date below.
After Brazil's ports were opened to foreign shipping by Prince Regent Dom João, the country saw an influx of British subjects. The city of Recife, capital of the State of Pernambuco boasted 200,000 inhabitants in the early 1800's and its English colony had grown quite large. Under a provision of the 1810 Strangford Treaty between Great Britain and Portugal, vassals of HRH George III who died in territories of HRH, the Prince Regent João would be allowed to be buried in designated locations. In 1811 land was chosen in Bahia and Rio de Janeiro to bury British subjects, who not being Catholic, could not be buried in Catholic churches or their cemeteries.
In 1814, the Governor of Pernambuco allocated an area called Santo Amaro da Salinas in Recife for a British cemetery. Over the years, the English colony expanded it through the acquisition of neighboring lands - such as the land gift of Baron da Boa Vista.
Francisco do Rego Barros, Baron (1802-1870), Count of Boa Vista served as Provincial President of Pernambuco from 1837-1844 and was elected senator in 1850. He was greatly instrumental in helping to modernize and sanitize the city of Recife, while encouraging the flourishing of arts and sciences.
Extremely Rare, and possibly Unique. Hairlines in field. Two small rim taps. About Uncirculated.

Sold for
$8,500