medal
- Museum number
- M.8303
- Description
-
Bronze medal. (whole)
-
A race-horse galloping, left. (obverse)
- Production date
- 1734
- Dimensions
-
Diameter: 35.000 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
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- Curator's comments
- Medallic Illustrations 2, published in 1885, states:
Rare.
This is a proof of the medal founded about the year 1734 by George Berkeley, Bishop of Cloyne. Two of gold were annually awarded by him to Bachelors of Arts in the University of Dublin, as an encouragement to the study of the Greek language. In December 1751 Bishop Berkeley directed that the letters G . B, his initials, should be engraved on the die at the bottom, beneath the race-horse, whereby his medals "might be distinguished from medals given by others." The name of the medallist, John Kirk (KIRK FECt.) was also added. In the next year he gave the dies and the sum of £120 to Trinity College, Dublin, to be spent on the annual distribution of the two gold medals. From that date till 1856 these medals were given to such Middle Bachelors as had attended the Lectures of the Regius Professor of Greek with remarkable diligence for two academic years, commencing with the Term in which they had graduated in arts; but in 1856 all students, whether graduates or under-graduates, were declared eligible as candidates, and the medals are now awarded by examination.
- Location
- Not on display
- Department
- Coins and Medals
- Registration number
- M.8303
- C&M catalogue number
-
MB2 (Medallic Illustrations 2) (513) (68)
