Lovely random low buck pickup commemorating Victoria & Albert's first visit to Ireland, 7 August 1849. This was a big, big deal at the time and a great many souvenir medals, tokens, store cards, and other trinkets were issued. Some of them such as the big 44mm silver medals, were executed with a very high level of craftsmanship; others, probably intended for the tourists and commoners, not so much. Ireland Visits thenceforth became a popular subject and many more were issued over the years, with different dates and designs.
I can't find a match for this one on either of thw two main references for the series and type, so it's going as a maverick for me despite having some similarities with larger types. It's not signed on either side.
Bronze medalet or token. 1849 (7 August)
24.0mm, 5.4 grams. Lovely reddish brown toning with good luster. Milled edge.
Obv: VICTORIA QUEEN OF G.B. & ALBERT PRINCE OF SAX: COB: / conjoined busts facing left, a dot below
Rev: THE FIRST VISIT OF A BRITISH QUEEN TO IRELAND AUG 7 1849 / Cláirseach (Celtic or Irish harp)
The reverse legend shows extensive recutting/repunching and at least two places where errors were corrected, so this issue may have been on the lower cost end of things for the tourist market.
Thanks for looking!
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Posted 02/11/2020 06:40 am
