Eimer 1420, BHM 2285.
56mm. Bronze. By L.C & W. Wyon.
Obverse with bare head of Prince Albert, president of the Society, reverse with inscription within open wreath. Edge engraved 'Joseph Hopkins, Equatorial Motion for Telescopes - 1853'.
Extremely Rare. Extremely Fine and toned. Housed in fitted case of issue and accompanied by printed excerpts from the Worcester Herald of June 18th & July 2nd, 1853, outlining a description of the instrument which earnt him the medal of the Society of Arts.
This is the first of the Society's President's medals. In an order for the use of the Mint die press dated 25/08/1847, it is recorded that 52 medals were struck for the Society of Arts. The striking of a further 9 medals is also noted in the same memo (although via the BHM footnote it is unclear if this refers to the same medal), meaning a maximum possible mintage of 61 medals. Both Eimer and BHM only list this medal in silver, along with one gold presentation example. Eimer states this medal was issued from c.1853 and BHM says it was 'first used from about the year 1854'. Therefore, not only is this medal the only example in bronze that we can find record of, it is likely one of the earliest awarded medals. In fact, the accompanying excerpt from the Worcester Herald dated June 18th, 1853, states that 'The medal of the Society of Arts was awarded on the 10th instant to Mr Joseph Hopkins', suggesting that this was the 10th medal awarded. The same excerpt goes on to state 'The medal was presented to Mr Hopkins by his Royal Highness Prince Albert, at the anniversary meeting of the Society. His Royal Highness complimented Mr Hopkins on the ingenuity displayed in the invention.'