Eimer 1323, BHM 1884.
68mm. By B. Wyon after J. Noel Paton.
Obverse with a tripod on which rests a laurel branch with legend around, reverse with a kneeling figure of Mercury supporting a lighted lamp, with Pegasus standing on rim. Edge engraved 'Rev John Thompson - Elected Honorary Member MDCCCXXX'.
Good Very Fine and toned. Very rare and an important association piece.
Rev John Thomson FRSE HonRSA (1 September 1778 – 28 October 1840) was a Scottish minister of the Church of Scotland and noted amateur landscape painter. He was the minister of Duddingston Kirk from 1805 to 1840. This is an unusual medal in that it is dated 1838 but a footnote in BHM states that it was first issued in 1855. The edge carries a date of 1830 in roman numerals and John Thomson died in 1840, suggesting this is a retrospective member’s medal, possibly given to a relative or similar, some years after the death of Thomson.