Description:
London medal, 1851
Diameter 38mm
Medal struck at the International Industrial Exhibition of 1851 to celebrate the event. The obverse features the bust of Prince Albert with the name 'W. S. Taylor London' underneath. The inscription reads 'H. R. H. PRINCE ALBERT/ STRUCK IN THE BUILDING OF THE EXHIBITION'. The reverse features the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom, a crown above an oval shield bearing the arms of England (three lions), Scotland (single lion rampant) and Ireland (harp) within a garter. The garter bears the legend 'HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE', 'Shame On Him Who Thinks Evil Of It', which is the motto of the Order of the Garter. Attached to the garter at the base is a single fleur-de-lys. Flanking the shield are the Lion representing England and the Unicorn representing Scotland. Below is a banner bearing the legend 'DIEU ET MON DROIT', 'God and My Right', interlaced with roses for England, thistles for Soctland and shamrocks for Ireland. The inscription around the outside reads 'GREAT EXHIBITION OF THE INDUSTRY OF ALL NATIONS/ LONDON 1851'.