The medals of Soho near Birmingham
1830 Soho Mint royal Visit - Duchess of Kent - Silver Medal - Ex. James Watt Jr. - with Silvered-Tin Shells

Owner Comments:

At this point in my collecting journey, I have handled enough pieces to be a bit desensitized to the invariable high quality associated with the Watt Jr. Collection. That said, this piece is a notable exception. It is impeccably preserved and very deserving of the PF-66 Ultra Cameo designation, but that is only further complemented by the seeming rarity of this piece. Brown (2007) only lists this medal as being struck in copper and classifies it as Very Rare. The only auction record I can find for a copper example is from a 2000 DNW auction, that also included the medal struck for Victoria, both in a fitted case with a provenance to the King Farouk Collection. It sold for a mortifyingly trivial amount even by contemporary standards. The example illustrated in this set is struck in silver, but we know that it also exists in gold. As we will learn in the historical context section, the gold version can be safely ignored as it will never be offered to the public. So far, I have only been able to track down one other example struck in silver. To my knowledge, this second example has not reappeared on the market since it was sold in the auction of the Murdoch Collection in March of 1904 (Lot 457; Plate IV). Although I cannot prove non-existence, it seems unlikely that any other silver versions of this medal were struck.

The example in this set is from the James Watt Jr. Collection and has retained the original silver-lined tin shells. Yes, you read that correctly. The shells are not brass as one would typically expect. I have only seen a handful of these tin shells. I find it interesting that they were used to protect a silver medal. I can’t but wonder if there is a specific reason for this – yet another fun project to pursue! Sadly, this medal was separated from the oddly inscribed wrapper that appeared in the 2002 auction. Despite numerous efforts, it has not been located. This medal appeared as a single item lot (277) and was described as “Visit of the Duchess of Kent to Soho, 6 August 1830, silver medal, obv., legend and date, rev., Britannia, from the same die as the last (B.H.M. 1436, not listed in silver), brilliant mint state, in [silvered tin] shells and wrapper, extremely rare”. It soared past the £400-600 estimate and hammered for £1600.

Historical Context:

So far, this set has primarily presented medals that were struck before Matthew Boulton’s death; however, to tell the entire story one must also take the opportunity to enjoy those pieces that carried on his legacy. In this case, the medal depicted celebrates a highly notable event – a royal visit from the English royalty! I can only assume that Boulton would have been filled with pride, especially given that a similar medal was set to be struck upon George III’s proposed visit in 1805 (Pollard, 1970).

Victoria was just 11 years old when she visited Birmingham with her mother, the Duchess of Kent, in August of 1830. Geroge IV had recently died, and the young princess was heiress presumptive. Her visit to Birmingham was a well-celebrated event, and we are very fortunate to have an account published in Aris’s Birmingham Gazette. I will reproduce the entirety of the entry but pause to highlight a section of considerable relevance to the current medal.

Aris’s Birmingham Gazette, August of 1830

“Their Royal Highnesses attended by Lady C Jenkinson, the Baroness Lehzen, Sir John Conroy, and suite, reached Dee's Royal Hotel about six o’clock on Wednesday evening (August 4), and were received by the gentlemen in attendance, who had been joined by Theodore Price, Esq., and by Mr. and Mrs. Dee. The apartments prepared for their Royal Highnesses were most elegantly and tastefully fitted up; preparations were making for brilliantly illuminating the front of the hotel; and every arrangement was effected to insure the convenience and comfort of the Royal party. An immense number of persons had assembled about the hotel, and the entrance hall was lined on both sides by respectable inhabitants, who waited to greet their Royal Highnesses on their entrance. Without they were hailed with loud acclamation, and within by the most respectful and cordial welcome. The Duchess received these attentions in the most graceful and condescending manner, and the youthful Princess was regarded by all with the deepest feelings of interest. The deputation had an interview with, and were introduced to the Duchess, and their congratulations and tender of services were freely and frankly accepted. The offer of the immediate attendance of military guard of honour was made to the Duchess, which she without hesitation declined. The Duchess and the Princess showed themselves afterwards at a front window of the hotel, and were loudly cheered the populace. Previously to dining, and after dinner, their Royal Highnesses again showed themselves, and were most enthusiastically greeted.

Agreeably to appointment, the deputation waited upon their Royal Highnesses on the following morning, and precisely at nine o’clock they proceeded to inspect the various establishments recommended to their notice. The carriage containing the Duchess and the Princess, Sir John Conroy, and the ladies in waiting, was preceded by three carriages in which were the gentlemen of the deputation, and the civil authorities in attendance, Messrs. Fairfax and Harley. In the course of the day the Royal party visited and minutely inspected the process of rolling metals at the rolling mill in Cambridge Street; the button manufactory of Messrs. Turner and Sons in Snow Hill; the papier maché manufactory of Messrs. Jennens and Bettridge; Mr. Thomason's manufactory and show rooms; Messrs. Bacchus and Green's glass manufactory, and the Britannia Nail Manufactory; at all of which their Royal Highnesses paid the greatest attention to the various objects of interest submitted to them, and in several instances were pleased to accept specimens of manufacture completed in their presence […].

On Friday morning the Royal party, attended as before, visited the rooms of the Society of Arts, where they were received by several of the members of the committee. […]. The Royal party next proceeded to the News Room, which they inspected, and on leaving entered their names in the register. They afterwards visited Rollason and Son's glass and china rooms, in Steelhouse Lane, with which they appeared much gratified.”

The next several sections are of particular interest and should be noted separately from the above text.

”The gentlemen of Birmingham now took their leave, the Duchess of Kent reiterating the expression of her grateful sense of their attention to the Princess and herself; and Mr. Watt, at the desire of her Royal Highness, previously communicated to him, undertook, in the absence of Mr. Boulton, to conduct the illustrious visitors to the great establishments of Soho, and Soho Foundry, commencing with the latter. They took the Dudley Road, to afford an opportunity of giving their Royal Highnesses, from Lee Bridge, a view of part of the improvements that have recently been carried into effect on the Birmingham Canal, and which in point of grandeur and utility surpass every similar work of modern times. The gates of the Soho Foundry, which a sense of national policy more perhaps than private convenience, keeps shut against the public, were thrown open, and their Royal Highnesses were shown the principal operations of the smithery, boiler making, casting of brass and iron, boring mills, turning and fitting departments, employed in making steam engines. The Duchess was pleased to express her sense of the benefit which had resulted to the country from the improvements in that machine, and her feeling of respect for the memory of their author, the late Mr. Watt. His son took the opportunity of introducing to their Royal Highnesses two of the few remaining disciples and assistants of his father, the venerable Mr. Murdock himself the inventor of the gas light and of other useful arts, and Mr. Peter Ewart, now of Manchester.

The party then proceeded to Soho, where Mr. Watt, in showing their Royal Highnesses the exterior of the elegant building which forms the front of the manufactory, explained that it was founded about seventy years ago by the late Mr. Boulton, and was the first and for many years the sole large manufactory in Britain being the parent of those vast establishments which have since overspread the kingdom. He apologised for the unavoidable absence of Mr. Boulton, and stated that he was commissioned by him to express his great regret and to act in his place. They were then taken to the manufactory of plated ware, where the gentry of the neighbourhood, who had attended to pay their respects, were introduced. The manufactory of steel goods was next shewn, and afterwards the Mint, where enough of machinery still remained to enable Mr. Watt to explain the different processes of coining. When they reached the press-room, a blank of gold was shown to the Princess, which being placed in the press, she assisted in striking a medal commemorative of her visit to Soho, having a beautiful figure of Britannia upon one side, and on the other this inscription: “Victoria, Magnæ Spes Altera Britanniæ. Soho, 6 Aug. 1830.”. The Duchess then assisted at the striking of another gold medal, having the same figure of Britannia, with the inscription: “Victoria Maria Louisa, Felix tu quoque Mater! Soho, 6 Aug. 1830.”. These, being put into handsome cases, were presented to their Royal Highnesses by Mr. Watt, in the name of Mr. Boulton, explaining that the modern improved machinery for coining had been brought to perfection by the late Mr. Boulton upon the spot where they then stood, and that all the machinery of the Royal Mint at the Tower, of those of Russia, Denmark, and many others had been there manufactured. After inspecting the rolling mill and a few of the subordinate parts of the Soho manufactory, the Royal party did Mr. Watt the honour to partake of a collation at Aston Hall, and having viewed the gallery and apartments of that ancient baronial mansion they took their departure for Malvern Wells at three o’clock.

We cannot conclude this article without remarking that the urbanity and good sense of her Royal Highness the Duchess, and the pleasing, unaffected manners and intelligence of the young Princess, have most agreeably impressed all those who had access to them; and we think the country may look forward with hope and pride to the development of the disposition and talents of this scion of the Royal House of Brunswick under such a guide and protectress.”

The previously noted sections above are fascinating and provide a good deal of important information. Interestingly, Matthew Robinson Boulton, Matthew Boulton’s son, is absent. In his place, James Watt Jr. has the privilege of escorting the Princess and Duchess. We also learn that the two versions of the Royal Visit to Soho medals were struck in gold and were done so with the assistance of the person commemorated by the medal. That is an insanely cool piece of information. In this moment, James Watt Jr. tactfully displays the ease with which these machines can be operated while simultaneously honoring the legacy of Matthew Boulton.

It is not surprising to me that Brown (2007) would not list the gold versions in his entry for this medal. After all, those two medals are likely unique and will never be offered for public consumption. However, it is odd that he would not list this medal struck in silver. That said, his work spanned thousands of medals and some omissions are expected.

We know from the account above that Watt Jr. was present when the gold medals were produced. This information paired with the common knowledge that Watt Jr. would often use retouched dies to fill vacant spots in his collection, makes it more than plausible that he may have personally struck the two silver versions shortly after the royal visit. Perhaps the second silver medal was intended for Boulton, but ultimately found its way to the Murdoch Collection. Those details are likely lost to history, but it is a fun point to ponder. As noted in Peck (1970), the reverse design is from the die of P-1328. The use of this die further illustrates the extended life of Soho dies and attests to the fact they were still in use, albeit in a greatly reduced capacity, well after the death of King George III and Matthew Boulton.


Obverse: Notably, the obverse design only includes a simple inscription that reads: VICTORIA MARIA LOUISA. FELIX TU QUOQUE MATER! SOHO. 6 AUG. 1830 in six lines contained within a toothed border and a thin outer rim. In this case, there was likely insufficient time to prepare a bust for either the Princess or the Duchess for this medal. Nonetheless, the simplistic nature of the obverse makes a bold statement about the importance of the event commemorated while also retaining on the reverse Küchler’s depiction of Britannia that is quintessential to the English coinage struck at the Soho Mint.

Reverse: Brittania is facing left wearing a close-fitting drapery sitting on a rock surrounded by waves. Her right arm is extended, and her hand holds an olive branch with 11 leaves and three berries. All the leaves are attached to the twig. Her left arm is down with a trident clasped in her hand, of which the middle prong bisects the second limb of the 2nd “N” in Britannia. An oval shield that adorns the crosses of St. George and St. Andrew (heraldically colored) is to her left side. Peck (1970) notes that the space between the shield and her hand is slightly larger and that two horizontal lines appear under her left hand. These appear to be a continuation of her gown. To the right of the shield is a banner with the Soho mint mark which reads “SOHO”. To the left of the shield is the letter K. A 3-masted warship appears in the sea in front of her. Peck (1970) notes that the ship does not have gunports and that the flag at the stern is striated. The sea is not curved like that of the 1799 halfpennies but is instead straight, leaving a clear exergue. The legend which is contained within a thin outer rim and a toothed border is as follows: BRITANNIA (even spacing).

Edge: Plain

Size: 34mm

Notes: I first stumbled upon this piece when I was still in graduate school. At the time, the asking price was well above my annual numismatic budget. Although I could not afford it, I loved the medal. Window shopping is free, so I opted to bookmark the listing and admire it from afar. You can imagine my despair when I realized that it had sold. The stark reality set in – this was an extraordinarily rare medal with an impeccable provenance. The likelihood of it resurfacing soon seemed bleak at best. It is oddly serendipitous that I would unknowingly become friends with the gentleman who purchased it all those years ago. As our friendship grew and our collecting journeys became more entwined, my friend generously offered to sell it to me. The serendipity does not end there, but I will reserve further discussion of the subject for an upcoming project focusing on the Tokens of the Soho Mint. Although my affection for copper is unabated, I admit that Britannia’s rendering in silver is rather appealing.

References:

Brown, L. A. (1980). A Catalogue of British Historical Medals: Vol. I The Accession of George III to the Death of William IV 1760-1837. London: Seaby Publications Ltd.

Peck, C. W. (1964). English Copper, Tin, and Bronze Coins in the British Museum 1558-1958. London: The trustees of the British Museum.

Pollard, J. G. (1970). Matthew Boulton and Conrad Heinrich Küchler. The Numismatic Chronicle, 10, 259-318.