Owner Comments:
These medals are not particularly rare, but finding an example with the original box is no easy task. Sadly, the box was damaged in transit and the lid is no longer attached to the base. Nonetheless, it makes for an impressive display. As readers may know, the Soho Mint shut its doors for good in 1850. There were not many medals struck at the Soho Mint after the death of Matthew Boulton in 1809 and the number of speculative pieces continued to decline sharply after the death of the Küchler. The current medal is an odd curiosity in this context. James Peters, a Jeweler, commissioned the Soho Mint to strike these medals to commemorate the Marquis of Camden’s installation as Chancellor of Cambridge University. As it turns out, this is just one medal in a series sold by Peters. To my knowledge, this is the only one struck at the Soho Mint. He advertised his medals in the Cambridge Chronicle and Journal on July 3rd, 1835. It reads (with minor formatting edits):
________________________________________________________________________________________________
CAMBRIDGE
INSTALLATION MEDALS.
UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF THE
Most Noble the CHANCELLOR.
JAMES PETERS, JEWELLER, St. Mary’s Street,
most respectfully announces that he has just completed
A MEDAL
To Commemorate the INSTALLATION of the
MARQUIS CAMDEN
As Chancellor of this University.
Executed in the most beautiful style, by the first Artist at the Soho.
On the obverse is a correct LIKENESS taken from Life by his Lordship’s permission, within the following inscription:
“Joan: Jeffreys: March: Camden: Nobilis: Acad: Cantab: Cancell: 1835.”
The reverse has a Perspective View of the Interior of the Senate-House, shewing correctly the whole of that splendid Room, and the motto:
“Deum Timeto: Regem Honorato: Virtutem Colito: Disciplinis Bonis Operam Dato.”.
Prices of Silver in Case £.1 s.1 d.0
Prices of Bronzed in Case £.0 s.10 d.6
Prices of White Metal in Case £.0 s.5 d.0
J. P. has also received a splendid assortment of descriptions of
JEWELLERY,
Suitable for the present occasion, of the newest and most fashionable articles.
Cambridge, July 2, 1835
________________________________________________________________________________________________
We learn a few important tidbits of information regarding this medal from the above. First, we learn that the medal was undeniably struck at the Soho Mint. Second, we learn that the Marquis of Camden sat for the capture of his likeness. Third, we learn that these medals were struck in silver, bronzed copper, and white metal. The ad states that the medal was engraved by
first Artist at the Soho, but does not explicitly state who. This leaves a bit of mystery as the medal is not signed by the engraver. Nonetheless, we comfortably rule out Droz for obvious reasons. Of course, Droz was also technically not the first engraver concerned with the medals struck at the Soho Mint. This will be a topic of discussion for the write-up of the 'Otaheite' medal (i.e., the Resolution and Adventure Medal). The ad also implies that these medals were only sold with a case, which is odd given how hard it is to find an example that has retained the original titled case. It does not appear that many of these cases have survived, so I opted to provide a picture for those interested to the right. Beyond this information, I think it is incredibly cool to find a nearly two-century-old advertisement for a Soho medal!
Historical Context: The Marquis of Camden of elected and installed as the Chancellor of Cambridge on July 4th of 1835. The prestige of both the man and the institution that he was elected to represent all but ensured a wealth of publications that we now can peruse. In this case, The Blackburn Standard published a highly detailed account of the event in their July 15th paper. It reads:
________________________________________________________________________________________________
INSTALLATION OF THE MARQUIS OF CAMDEN
AS CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF
CAMBRIDGE
The festivities connected with this event, which have been so long and so earnestly anticipated, commenced on Saturday last. On that day the Messiah was performed in St. Mary’s. The performance, however, appeared to come rather heavily off, and in spite of the intrinsic excellence of the music, the interest of the audience evidently flagged before the conclusion of the entertainment. The company was not yet sufficiently numerous in the town to afford a very brilliant audience, and the only persons of distinction noticed as present on the occasion were the Bishop of Bath and Wells, and Sir C. Wetherall.
In the evening the Marquis of Camden arrived in the town. He was received in form by the Vice Chancellor and Heads of Houses, and afterwards dined in private with the Vice Chancellor.
On the following day the Chancellor, according to immemorial usage, proceeded to the Church of Great St. Mary to hear divine service. The Vice-Chancellor walked on the left of the Noble Marquis, and the Duke of Northumberland, as High Steward, on his right. They were followed by Noblemen and Gentlemen, each wearing the dress to which his collegiate rank, in either of the Universities, entitled him. Among them were the Marquis of Downshire, the Earl of Devon, Lord Brownlow, Lord Canterbury, Lord Brecknock, Lord Farnborough, Chief Justice Tyndal, the recorder of London, Sir H. Hardinge, Sir R. Inglis, and Mr. Goulburn. These were succeeded by a considerable number of Doctors, both of Law and Divinity, Heads of Houses, Fellows, Proctors and Tutors. In the afternoon. The Noble Marquis again proceeded to church, attended as in the morning. The promenade in the evening closed the ceremonies of Sunday.
Soon after eight the Chancellor, and his academical robes of ceremony, made his appearance, and, in a slow pace, proceeded from Trinity, along the majestic line of buildings in Trinity-street, Senate House Hill. Prince George of Cambridge walked on the left of the Noble Marquis. He was unattended upon his occasion by any other person of rank. The illustrious Prince, from his unassuming and gentle deportment, seemed to have won completely the goodwill of the spectators, many of whom expressed their opinions in strong, though often homely, sincerity of language. Having passed very slowly along Senate-House hill, the Marquis entered King’s, at the principal gate, and walked in the rear of the line of Colleges between that and Trinity. There were a few constables in attendance to keep the footway clear, and to prevent inconvenient crowding, but throughout the whole of his progress there was not the slightest tendency to riot or disorder of any kind.
On Monday morning a breakfast was given by the Master of Sidney to about 500 persons, and various other entertainments of a similar description, but on a less extensive scale, ushered in the day. The attention of the public, however, was directed to the entry of the Duke of Wellington, who was to come from the seat of Earl Delawarr, and who consented to a sort of triumphal escort, planned in his honor by the yeomanry and farmers of the neighborhood. According, numerous parties of horsemen extremely well mounted began to assemble in Trumpington (two miles from Cambridge), between eight and nine o’clock, and by half-past nine o’clock 400 or 500 were collected to welcome the noble duke on his arrival. Among this body were many gentlemen farmers of considerable property. A number of carriages, gigs, and vehicles of various kinds, contributed to swell the cavalcade. The horsemen had decorated themselves and their steeds with branches of laurel, and the company in carriage bore similar tokens of triumph and welcome. Some barouches which brought out young men from Cambridge, were ornamented with bouquets of flowers. The villagers turned out in mass to see the show and make holiday. About half-past nine it was announced that his grace was at hand, and shortly afterwards he drove up in an open carriage and four, which came by a crossroad into the London road at Trumpington; He was accompanied by the Earl and Countess Delawarr. The reception which the noble Duke met with was of the most cordial description, and only to be exceeded in enthusiasm by the welcome that awaited him at the Senate-house. The farmers cheered to the top of their voices, and waved their Laurel boughs, and the Duke acknowledged the welcome in a way that showed he was fully sensible of its heartiness and value. At the same instant, with his usual decision and power of arrangement, he pointed out the course proper to be taken, in order to avoid confusion in the procession. The horseman, whose numbers were increasing every moment, preceded, and the carriage is followed in the line. As the procession advanced, its members swelled, and by the time it had approached within half a mile of Cambridge there were several thousand people on horseback, in carriages, and on foot in the noble duke’s train. The enthusiasm of the people increased with their numbers, and when the noble Duke arrived opposite Addenbrooke’s hospital, they insisted upon taking the horses from his carriage, and drawing him into Cambridge in triumph. Flags were displayed from many of the houses, and every door and window from basement to roof was thronged with spectators. Some climbed upon the roofs, and the college along the line of the procession contained their full complement of gazers. Dr. Barnes, the venerable master of Peterhouse, appeared to view the spectacle with a great deal of interest. Gentlemen waved their hats and ladies their handkerchiefs, the one clash shouting and the other smiling with all their might. The whole thing wore the air of triumph.
” they had climbed up the walls and battlements, to towers and windows – yea, to chimney tops,”
to welcome the Duke; and such was the zeal and enthusiasm of the people that –
” you would have thought the very windows spake, so many greedy looks of old and young their casements darted their desiring eyes upon his visage.”
A band proceeded the cottage, but its notes were frequently drowned amidst the noisy congratulations that resounded in all directions. The Senate-house now became the center of attention. It was filled up with more attention to convenience than ornament, and adapted to the combination of perhaps 1,800 individuals. At the upper end was raised a platform, on which was placed the throne for the new Chancellor, which was handsomely covered with Crimson velvet, and over It was suspended the Marquis arms, richly emblazoned on crimson silk. A few minutes after 10 o’clock the ladies were admitted to the seats reserved for their accommodation, and at about 20 minutes after that hour the impatience of the under graduates was no longer to be restrained, and they were admitted to the galleries, which were filled in an instantaneous rush. The theater was now crowded in every part but the raised platform, and presented a very gay and interesting spectacle. No sooner, however, were the young men fairly settled then they commenced the customary demonstrations of feeling towards the various personages connected with the proceedings or public characters in general. The first and foremost did they raise a tremendous shout for the “Chancellor”. The Chancellor having been duly honored, the “King” produce loud and deafening cheers from all parts of the Senate-house; and the name of the “Queen” elicited still louder plaudits. “The Duke of Wellington” was received, in his absence, with overwhelming applause, which shook the building to its center, so loud and hearty was the cheering. “Prince George of Cambridge,” was repeatedly called out, and each time the call was followed by the loudest demonstrations of regard.” The University of Oxford,” “The Princess Victoria,” “The Ladies,” “Sir Robert Peel,” “The House of Peers,” “The Vice-Chancellor,” “The Duke of Northumberland,” “Church and State,” “Mr. Goulburn,” and “the late Ministry,” we're all, and particularly the ladies in Sir Robert Peele, loudly cheered. By this time it drew near 11 o’clock, and the men having cheered themselves hoarse waited for breath and the arrival of the Chancellor. The Vice-Chancellor was warmly greeted on his arrival as was also Prince George of Cambridge, who was dressed in a Hanoverian uniform, with a star on his left breast. Somewhere about 12 o’clock the splendid cortege entered the building, and the bedels leading the way before the Chancellor, who wore the collar, riband, and George of the Garter, the more distinctive mark of the order being buckled of course round his left leg. He wore a black velvet cap, with a very large and heavy gold tassel dangling from it, and a black velvet robe, most magnificently trimmed with very deep bars of gold lace on the collar, down the sides, and round the edge of his train, which was borne up by a gentleman who followed. Has he advanced up the center of the area, followed by all those distinguished persons whose names we shall have occasion to mention presently, a most appealing shout of welcome and congratulation burst from all the gownsmen, and the cheers continued to long after he had taken his stand in front of the chair set for him, and his train had been carefully thrown by the trainbearer over the back of it. At last the sound seized, but in a moment the thunder of the human voice again shook the edifice and a manner almost unexampled, for the name of the Duke of Wellington was no sooner heard, than every tongue paid its vociferous but cordial tribute to the hero of Waterloo; the ladies of course are expected, who, however, displayed their enthusiasm in the waving of handkerchiefs and scarves, which they kept up as long as the cheering lasted, full five minutes. The Duke never looked better. He was dressed much as usual, except with the addition of a small star. The enthusiasm of the tenants of the galleries was, however, by no means exhausted; and the cheers of gratulation, and the hiss of scorn, each for its appropriate rallying word, was not spared. “The ladies” - )cheers)- “again” – (cheers), - and “one cheer more.” – (cheers.) – “The Bishop of Exeter.” – (Great cheering.) – “The King” – (Applause.) – “The Queen” – (Vehement cheering.) – “Prince George.” – (Great applause) – “The High Steward.” – (Cheers.) – “Church and State.” – (Loud cheers.) – “The Duchess of Northumberland.” – (Cheering.) - “The University member, Goulburn, and Law.” – (Great cheering) – “The three Universities.” (Cheers; some called out, “No, no, the two Universities.”) – “The Bishops.” – (Very loud cheering) – “The Bishops again.” (Cheering repeated.) – “One cheer more.” – “Sir Robert Peel.” – (Enthusiastic and long continued cheering) – This call was repeatedly made and was constantly responded to in the same manner. “His Majesty’s Minsters.” – (Deep groans and hisses.) - “His Majesty’s late Minsters.” – (Very loud cheering.) – “Lord Morpeth.” – (similarly complimented.) – “Lord Melborne escaped with a smaller portion of disapprobation, but was still soundly hissed. “Lord Brougham.” – (Great Hissing) – “Three groans for O’Connell” – “Three cheers for order” – (much laughter), - “Sir James Graham” – (Cheers.) – “Lord Lyndhurst” – (much applause), - “Lord Abinger” – (Cheers) – “Sir Edward Sugden” – (very great cheering) – “Lord Canterbury” – (enthusiastic cheering) – “Sir Charles Wetherell” – (great cheering), - “Lord Eldon” (Loud and continued applause.) – When tranquility was restored the congregation proceeded to the ceremony of granting honorary degrees to the several aspirants to that honor, but they had only got through one when it came to the turn of the Duke of Wellington to have the grace proposed for his degree. As soon as he advanced so take the customary oaths and subscribe his name and the University books, a loud shout similar to that which had saluted him after his entrance, and as long sustained, greeted him; and when he retired among the circle of doctors, her voice calling out “three cheers for Dr. Wellington” contributed not a little to the amusement of the audience. When these proceedings were over the public orator, the Rev. Mr. Tatham, after bowing to the Chancellor, proceeded to present to him seriatim the subjoined list of noblemen and gentlemen who were admitted to the honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Law on this occasion: -
Prince Pozzo di Borgo, Duke of Grafton, Marquis of Bute, Marquis of Downshire, Marquis of Exeter, Marquis of Northampton, Marquis of Douro, Earl of Hardwicke, Earl Amherst, Earl Brownlow, Lord Lyndhurst, Lord Abinger, Lord Teignmouth, Lord Lisle and Dudley, Lord Castlereagh, Lord Camden, Lord Burlington, Lord A. Fitzclarence, Lord Clive, Lord Prudhoe, Sir E. Sugden, Sir J. Graham, Sir N. Tindal, Sir J. Parke, Mr. Baron Graham, Hon. R. Clive, Hon. G. R. Trevor.
The following were admitted doctors, ad eundem: - the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Duke of Wellington, the Bishop of Exeter, the Bishop of Llandaff.
The following received degrees of A.M. : - Lord Boscawen, ad eundem; Ho. W. W. Forrester, Hon. H. Manners Sutton; Sir Francis Chantrey, Sir G. Rose, Sir P. Malcolm, Sir E. Kerrison, Sir C. Wetherill.
Messrs. Goulburn and Howes declaimed, and we're presented with medals by the Chancellor. The Duke of Cumberland, and the Marquis of Londonderry, who were not present at the commencement of the proceedings, arrived in the Senate shortly before their termination at five o’clock. The Duke of Cumberland was received with hearty applause.
In the evening, after the ceremonies of the Senate-house were closed, the Chancellor, with the High Steward, Heads of Houses and distinguished visitors, dined with the Vice Chancellor at Jesus College. There being no hall in the house nearly large enough to accommodate the guests, a temporary dining room was constructed, by means of an awning, sufficiently large to cover and completely one of the small quadrangles. The entertainment was of the most splendid description, and arrangements were made for the accommodation of a large number of spectators.
On the same evening was held a concert in the Senate House, at which the attendance was quite as numerous as at any of the preceding assemblies. By some singularity and judicious arrangement one entrance only was left accessible, and the greatest inconvenience, not unmingled with danger, was the consequence. Grisi, in Dall asilo della pace, and the polacca from Puritani, Caradori Allen, in Jack o’ Hazeldean, and Grisi and Lablache, in the buffo duet Guardate che figura, were the stars of the evening. Each of these pieces received that enthusiastic applause to which the well known merits of the respective artists are so much entitled.
On Tuesday the doors of the Senate House were opened precisely at 10 o’clock. The only mark of popular feeling that was displayed before the arrival of the Chancellor was on the entrance of the Prince George of Cambridge, who was the first of the distinguished visitors to make his appearance, and who was received with cheers. At half-past eleven the Chancellor entered, followed by the Dukes of Cumberland, Wellington, Northumberland, Grafton, Prince Pozzo di Borgo, and most of the other distinguished guests before enumerated. The appearance of the Chancellor and his company was hailed with vociferous and prolonged applause. Then commenced volleys of cheers and hisses, such as those of the preceding day. When order was restored, Dr. Turton, Regius Professor of Divinity, went through the form of conferring a degree of doctor in divinity on Dr. Bowes; three degress in civil law were conferred by Dr. Geldart, Regius Professor of Civil Law, and four degrees of doctor and medicine by Dr. Haviland, Regius Professor of Physic. The ladies were greatly amused by the ceremonies of the ring and the salutation which took place in conferring those degrees.
In consequence of the overcrowded state of the area, several ladies and some gentlemen fainted, and were carried out. The prize poems were then recited, and the prizes awarded. The first was by Mr. Whitehead of St. John's, and was on the death of the Duke of Gloucester. Mr. Jacob Ind. Smith, of Trinity, then recited the Greek Sapphic ode on Delos, and Mr. Drury, a prize owed in Latin Alcaics on Belisarius. The same gentleman gave a Greek and Latin epigram, both of which were extremely clever. The recitations were concluded by translation in Greek Iambics from act 2, scene 2, of the third part of Shakespeare's King Henry VI, by Mr. Kennedy, of St. John's college, who is the 4th brother in the same family that has received this prize.
The installation ode was written by the Reverend C. Wordsworth, fellow of Trinity College. The music was composed by T. A. Walmisley, Mus. Bac., organist of Trinity and Saint John’s. The performance of this ode was received with enthusiastic applause, and at its termination “God save the King” what sung, Caradori singing the first stanza, Sapio the second, and Sapio and Stockhausen the third, the audience joining loudly in the chorus. The Chancellor then departed amid loud cheers and the company dispersed as quickly as they could.
In the evening, the preceding strictly connected with the installation terminated by a grand concert in the Senate House. The audience, however, was but thin, and a general air of languor and exhaustion appeared to pervade the company, which was not dissipated till a late hour in the evening. Rubini, Caradori, and Stockhausen, exerted themselves with their usual success, and Machin obtained an enthusiastic encore.
Wednesday
In the morning, a grand selection of sacred music was performed in Saint Mary's church, and long before the concert began the church was crowded throughout a very fashionable audience. The Coronation Anthem opened the performances. Selections from Whitfields oratorio of the Crucifixion, from Beethoven's Mount of Olives, and from Spohr’s Last Judgment, formed the principal part of the entertainment. Nothing, however, of the day excited so much astonishment and admiration as Harper's wonderful performance on the trumpet.
After the conclusion of the concert, the chancellor, accompanied by the Duke of Wellington and other distinguished auditors, proceeded from great St. Mary's Church to the Pit Press, of which the noble Marquis (Camden) may be considered the founder. For some time past active exertions have been made at the Pit Press, under the superintendence of Mr. J. W. Parker, of London, to prepare a new and unique edition of the Bible, of which a splendid copy, printed upon vellum with red borders, is to be presented to His Majesty. The first sheets of this extraordinary production were ready to be struck off; and as the illustrious visitors felt a very strong curiosity upon the subject, they requested Mr. Parker to allow them to go into the printing room. Mr. Parker, of course, felt great pleasure in complying with their request, and, pointing out the way, was followed by the whole party, together with a large bevy of ladies. After a curious and minute examination of the mysteries of the place some of the illustrious and noble visitors thought they should like to take a printing themselves. It was thought that nothing could be more worthy of the trial of their skill then the copy of the Bible intended for His Majesty. They were, therefore, conducted to the several presses, in the first sheets of this splendid work were struck off by the hands of the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, the Lord High Steward, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Duke of Cumberland, Prince George of Cambridge, the Duke of Wellington, and the Earl of Hardwicke. When the sheets were taken from the press they were shown to Mr. Parker, who pronounced the workmanship excellent. With this compliment the illustrious party retired, seemingly charmed with the exertion they had made.
In the course of the morning a deputation of farmers and agriculturalists from the neighbourhood waited on his grace the Duke of Wellington with an address, which we subjoin. Of the parties to the address we can only say, that we firmly believe that a more numerous, intelligent, and respectable body of the classes to whom they belong, never united on any similar occasion.
TO HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON
We, a deputation from the members of the Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely Farmers’ Association, and others, who had the gratification of escorting your Grace into Cambridge on Monday, now seek the permission to offer to your Grace our hearty congratulations on your Grace’s arrival in this town, to say how proud we feel in seeing your Grace here, and to express our most sincere hope that your Grace’s life may be prolonged many years, to excite the admission and gratitude of every Englishman.
Boss with us avail ourselves the opportunity afforded us by paying our unanimous respects to your Grace, we hope that we may be permitted to allude for a moment to our condition as farmers. The whole of our rent, tithes, and taxes are now paid out of our fast diminishing capitals, instead of out of the profits which such capitals and our own industry ought to return; the government takes no notice of our petitions, and unless the Conservative aristocracy of the Kingdom, of which we look upon your Grace as the leader, espouse or cause, we shall be he retrievability ruined.
With a view to explain our situation we humbly take the liberty to present to your Grace a copy of a letter from Mr. Bernard, of King's College, addressed to the editor of the Agricultural Magazine, which appears to us of the utmost importance. That letter we firmly believe clearly shows the true cause of the distress in which we are involved.
We do not now venture to ask your Grace's opinion of that letter. We wish you to enjoy the festivities of the university undisturbed so long as you remain amongst us; but we do entertain a hope that when your Grace shall have returned to London, Mr. Bernard's letter will have the honor of your Grace’s perusal, And that we may have the satisfaction of finding that its views, as to the cause of our sufferings, meet your Grace’s approbation.
We cannot conclude the short address without again expressing our fervent hope for the prolonged life and continued happiness of your Grace.”
The Noble Duke received the deputation in the most cordial manner, and in reference to the address, and the compliment paid him by the farmers on this occasion, as well as upon his entrance into the town, spoke to the following effect: -
“Gentlemen, - when on my entrance into the town I was unexpectedly met by numerous body of the farmers in Yeomanry area of the county, I was much gratified indeed by the display of friendly disposition towards myself, but this additional manifestation of your good wishes does indeed surprise and gratify me. With regard to the distress existing amongst those engaged in agriculture, And prevalent indeed amongst other interests of his Majesty's dominions, I sincerely deplore it. The interest of agriculture is that upon which the happiness of this country and that of every other mainly depends; and you may rely upon it for that if Mr. Bernard's letter, alluded to in your address (to which I will pay every attention to), suggests anything practicable, or if anything occurs to myself which I think will promote the prosperity of agriculture, I shall exert myself for that purpose to the utmost of my ability.
Gentlemen, - I again repeat to you the sense I have of the cordial good feeling towards me, manifested by you in escorting me into Cambridge, and not less am I obliged by the address which you have now presented to me, and from which I offer you my very sincere acknowledgments.”
The Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor, and the distinguished visitors, went in the evening to dine with the Master and Fellows at St. John's College. The festivity was prepared under the large tent erected for the purpose already mentioned.
The multi-day celebration was tiring to read about, so I imagine the exhaustion noted by the author at the event was palpable. Nonetheless, we can say with utmost confidence that the installation of the new Chancellor was well received. It is interesting to note the petition delivered to the Duke of Wellington on behalf of the local farmers. Agricultural societies played a large role in British domestic prosperity for decades prior. Of course, this position was not recognized without the concerted effort of those involved. As is usually the case, those in power seemed to have discovered ways to exploit this group in the hope of stuffing their pockets. It would be interesting to see if the Duke of Wellington took any action on the issue or if he too was deaf to the pleas of the agriculturalists.
Obverse: The draped bust of the Marquis of Camden is depicted facing left. Unlike most contemporary depictions of people of notoriety, the top of his head is bare (i.e., he is bald). It appears that some hair remains at the back of his head and appears relatively thick. In keeping with contemporary fashion, he has a sideburn that extends half-past his cheek, but it is neatly trimmed so that the jawline is completely bare. His bust is tightly wrapped with a cloak with raised collars. The engraver took care to include minor details that suggest the cloak was made of some type of fur. The cloak is suspended by a brooch on his chest, which consists of a single large circle flanked by a halo of smaller circles. The outer edges of the cloak are decorated with vertical facets. A ribbon with two bows and two loose ends appears on his left shoulder. An ornate chain with two alternating main designs rests around his shoulders and droops toward the center of his chest. A badge can be partially seen affixed to his left breast. The date
1835 appears immediately below the bust. The obverse legend reads:
JOAN : JEFFREYS MARCH : CAMDEN : NOBILISS : ACAD : CANTAB : CANCELL : , or,
John Jeffreys, Marquis of Camden, Chancellor of the most noble University of Cambridge 1835. The entire design is contained within an inner recessed thin circle, which is further contained within a larger outer rim.
Reverse: The reverse design has too many nuanced details to describe, but I will do my best to provide something beyond the general description provided by standard references (e.g.,
Interior view of the Senate House at the University of Cambridge). In the foreground of the main device appear four well-formed pillars in the classic design, with two on either side close to one another. The middle is intentionally left open. It is in this space that we see the tiled floors that give way to the central stage. A total of five people in academic robes are depicted at varying distances from the viewer. Statues displayed on pedestals can be seen on either side of the hallway. The vaulted room affords enough space for an upper gallery with large windows and an ornate guardrail. The ceiling is coffered with ornate designs within each subsection, which vary in size and design. Although the main device is allowed to fill the entire space between the vertical rims, it is sharply cut a straight line at the top and bottom to create exergues. A winged female figure flying left appears at the top “exergue”. Her right arm is extended downward holding a laurel wreath. Her left arm is closer to her chest and holds what appears to be a palm branch. The reverse legend is contained within the bottom exergue. It reads:
DEUM TIMETO : REGEM HONORATO : VIRTUTEM COLITO : DISCIPLINE BONIS OPERAM DATO.. I believe this translates to
Fear God, honour the King, practise virtue, pay attention to good studies. The entire design is contained within an inner recessed thin circle, which is further contained within a larger outer rim.
Edge: Plain
Size: 44mm
Notes: I have always been enticed by the architectural medals of this period, but I have remained disciplined as they were not struck at the Soho Mint. This medal is the only exception, and it allows me to enjoy the spectacular reverse design guilt free. The perceived depth is amazing and there is no shortage of detail even in the most minute portions of the design. Although I have not been able to identify the engraver with certainty, I can say with confidence that they were incredibly talented.
This medal is cataloged by Brown (1980) as BHM-1685, and is rated as normal rarity (i.e., “an average number of specimens struck and fairly frequently encountered”) across the three metals it is recorded to have been struck in (e.g., silver, bronzed copper, and white metal). Eimer (2010) records this medal as E-1282 and illustrates a silver example on plate 139.
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.
Eimer, C. (2010). British Commemorative Medals and Their Values. London: Spink & Son Ltd.