A complete set of seven silver medals in original case (clasp slightly damaged), JOHN PINCHES LONDON hallmark inside case. All numbered “Set 85” with edge punches. John Pinches Medallists Ltd. of London was a family of medallists, founded in 1840. Pinches was taken over by The Franklin Mint in 1969. I would estimate this set was struck sometime between 1937 or 1938 and 1952 (given the absence of a Queen Elizabeth II medal). According to a similar set sold on London Coins’ website from 2017, only 250 of these were produced. (Needless to say, the silver Conder token in the slab to the side in the main photo is not part of this set. And it’s sold, anyway!)
1. 1838 Young Queen Victoria Medal
size 45 mm
Obv. Very high relief Young Head facing left, signed D WYON
VICTORIA REGINA l-r, beading inside raised rim
Rev. BORN / MAY 24 1819 / ASCENDED THE THRONE / JUNE 20 1837 ? CROWNED / JUNE 23 1838
Edge on all: SET 85 JP Punch with Lion punch (Bull?) Mask punch (?) and M punch (?)
Lightly toned, hairlined on both sides from an old cleaning, prooflike fields and matte devices/letters. Gorgeous design.
2 .1897 Jubilee Head Victoria (60th Anniversary) Medal
size 35
Obv. Jubilee Head matron Victoria facing r. VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX ornaments and circles at edge
Rev. Three shields reverse (3 lions couchant, harp with angel front, dragon with fleur de lis, all in center with Crown atop)
Around IN COMMEMORATION OF THE SIXTIETH YEAR OF HER MAJESTY’S REIGN
Edge: As #1
Matte devices, a bit dark and lightly toned, prooflike fields.
3. (No Date [1902]) Edward VII Coronation Medal
size 35
Obv. Edward facing r. in high relief tasseled robe with beaded crown EDWARDUS VII REX ET IMPERATOR
Rev. Same central design as no. 2 with IN COMMEMORATION OF THE CORONATION OF H.M. KING EDWARD VII
Edge: As #1
Gorgeous toning on prooflike surfaces.
4. 1911 George V and Mary Coronation Medal
size 38
Obv. Both facing left in high relief, deeply concave field
Rev. King steering a ship with three trumpeters in front (seraphs?) on ocean waves, MAY ITS COURSE BE PROSPEROUS
Edge: As #1
Beautiful light toning.
5. 1935 King George V and Queen Mary Medal
(5 and 7 reordered chronologically, different from the photograph)
size 35
Obv. Both facing left in royal robes KING GEORGE AND QUEEN MARY MAY 6TH 1935
Rev. Crown with orb and sceptre on cushion
TO COMMEMORATE / THE 25TH YEAR OF / THEIR MAJESTIES / REIGN / 1910 – 1935
Edge: As #1
Beautifully toned prooflike fields and matte, high-relief devices.
6. 1936 Edward VIII Medal
size 35
Obv. Facing right, around EDWARD VIII KING AND EMPEROR
Rev. Bead and reel ornament encircling rim, center ASCENDED / THE THRONE / JAN 20th 1936 / ABDICATED / DEC 10TH 1936 / IN FAVOUR OF / H.R.H. DUKE / OF YORK
PINCHES LONDON in tiny letters below
Edge: As #1
Blue-gold obv. patina, prooflike centers and matte devices.
7. 1937 King George V and Queen Elizabeth Medal size 35
(5 and 7 reordered chronologically, different from the photograph)
Obv. Both crowned, royal robes, facing left in high relief
PINCHES LONDON in tiny letters at bottom rim
Rev. View of Westminster, around CROWNED WESTMINSTER ABBEY MAY 12th 1937
Edge: As #1
Lightly golden-toned prooflike surfaces with minor hairlines and a small thin scrape rev. left field.
Please note that while we have endeavored to describe this set as accurately as possible, there are no returns on this item since these are raw medals and we cannot control what might be done to them (or what they might have been exposed to) once they leave our hands. A couple of the pieces have been cleaned, unfortunately, most notably the large Young Victoria medal, and are accordingly hairlined. But there is great eye appeal remaining on all, and the high relief designs are a delight to see.
