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Auction: 382 - The Numismatic Collector's Series Sale at NY INC
Lot: 438

University of Cambridge, Chancellor's Classical Gold Prize Medal, 1911, by W. Wyon R.A, awarded to Henry Evans Foster, VICTORIA D : G : BRITANNIARUM REGINA ., diademed bust left, rose below, rev. Youth seated left studying, Numeria standing on a plinth facing him, HENRY EVANS FOSTER, B. A. TRINITY COLLEGE, 1911. in exergue in two lines, 55mm, 90.15g (BHM 1981), scratched to the exergue and the edge band bruised, the surfaces lightly contact marked yet pleasingly matte, all relief detail pleasingly struck-up, about extremely fine and extremely rare, the lunettes unfortunately broken during a misguided attempt to test the gold, otherwise in original Wyon Presentation box which is in very good order

Henry Evans Foster (29 January 1889 - 1 January 1979), attended Trinity College after achieving a Classics Scholarship in 1907. He participated in Varsity Rugby matches between 1909, 1910, and 1911. Achieving 1st Class Hons., he was awarded this presitigious Chancellor's Classical gold Medal with a fellow pupil in 1911. He completed his masters in 1914, before enlisting in the colours during the Great War. Serving first in the Clerks and Works of Munitions, Foster later served in the Army Service Corps, and was fortunate enough to survive hostilities. After the war, he served as schoolmaster and university registrar at Aberystwyth (1939) and later at the University College, London.



The prize was first instituted in 1751, by Thomas Holies, Duke of Newcastle, and has continued by succeeding Chancellors. Each year two gold medals were awarded.

Sold for
$4,500

Starting price
$3500