medal
- Museum number
- BNK,EngM.379
- Description
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Silver medal. (whole)
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Herschel's telescope. (reverse)
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Bust of Sir Isaac Newton, right, bare. (obverse)
- Production date
- 19thC(mid)
- Dimensions
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Diameter: 42.000 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
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- Curator's comments
- Medallic Illustrations 2, published in 1885, states:
Rare.
These medals were struck in gold, silver, and copper, by direction of the Astronomical Society, and were bestowed as honorary distinctions on such persons as from time to time distinguished themselves by any material discovery or improvement in the science. This medal was awarded for the first time in 1822. The recipient's name was engraved on the reverse. The inscription on the obverse is taken from verses written by Halley, and prefixed to the first edition of Newton's ‘Principia’.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1877
- Acquisition notes
- The Bank of England loaned their Collection to the British Museum in 1865 wishing to make it accessible to the general public. This remained as a separate Collection until 1877 when the Bank Directors decided it would be more useful to the museum and the public if incorporated into the national collection. The Bank of England collection was therefore presented to the British Museum in 1877, any duplicates being sold to create a coins and medals purchase fund.
- Department
- Coins and Medals
- Registration number
- BNK,EngM.379
- C&M catalogue number
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MB2 (Medallic Illustrations 2) (472) (88)
