Description:
English medal c.1897
Diameter 33mm
Medal struck to commemorate the 60th year of the reign of Queen Victoria, which had become the longest reign of any single British Monarch. The obverse features the diademed bust of Queen Victoria facing left over half a wreath of olive branches. The caption reads 'VICTORIA REGINA' (Queen Victoria). The reverse features the Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom. It bears the three lions of England in the first and fourth quarters, the single lion rampant of Scotland in the second quarter and the harp or Ireland in the third quarter. The Coat of Arms is surrounded by five spheres with a crown above. Each sphere contains symbols relating to the United Kingdom, its government and religion, and its industrial, naval and agricultural power. For example, one bears the scales of Justice and the cross representing faith and the Church of England. The spheres are separated from each other and the crown by six ribbons in bows. The inscription reads 'VICTORIA, QUEEN AND EMPRESS, 1837.1897, THE LONGEST AND MOST ILLUSTRIOUS REIGN ON RECORD'. Below is a number, possibly a factory number, suggesting the medal was mass produced.