BHM 2078.
45mm. Silver. 66.3g. By W. Wyon.
Obverse with young bust of Queen Victoria, legend around. Reverse not visible due to the silver mount. This medal is fairly common in bronze, however, the footnote in BHM states that no gold or silver examples have been met with by the author. It goes on to say that '24 examples of the latter were fitted with an ornamental silver fastening and ribbon by Messrs Crook & Son of Pall Mall to be worn by members of the Gresham Committee at the foundation stone ceremony'. The Gresham Committee minutes for 21/01/1842 show that Wyon charged 1 Guinea each for the striking of 24 silver medals.
Encased within glass lunette and silver mount. Medal mint state and frosted. This is the only example we have been able to locate and with an apparent issue of 24 medals, it is excessively rare.
The obverse of this medal was intended for the rare Sea Gallantry Medal for Foreign Services and was also used on a personal medal for presentation by Queen Victoria. It appears again on the medal for the laying of the foundation stone of the new Royal Exchange. Therefore, it could theoretically be a presentation medal for either of these types, however, the fact that the 1842 Royal Exchange silver medal was known to have been issued with an ornamental silver fastening suggests it is this type. Also, silver examples of the other medal types that have been encountered have not been frosted.