1830 Great Britain Gilt Bronze Medal Freemasons Masonic Charity and Benevolence
Description: A beautiful uncirculated bronze gilt medal from Great Britain. This is the 1830 Masonic or Freemason medal of Honorable Testimonial of Masonic Charity & Benevolence. The obverse of the medal shows a mother seated with two children and the eye of providence above the scene. The date MDCCCXXX (1830) below. The reverse has the inscription "HONORABLE TESTIMONIAL OF MASONIC CHARITY & BENEVOLENCE INSTITUTED BYH:R:H: AUG: FRED: DUKE OF SUSSEX GRAND MASTER" and having the Masonic insignia of the interlocked angle and compass. The is a very shiny medal in great shape. It is beautiful and shows a beautiful bright gold colors with lots of luster. Please carefully review the photos as they are part and parcel of our description.
Additional information: The following is information found on the web about this medal " the Grand Lodge Charity Jewel (sometimes called the Sussex Jewel). Inaugurated in 1830 this was awarded to masons who became stewards of more than one of the charities (at first just the Girls and the Boys, then the Benevolent Institution as well). The central device, struck as a circular medal, is of Charity nursing a girl in the uniform of the Royal Masonic School for Girls and a boy holding a book, under a triangle containing the eye of the Great Architect, underneath the image is the Latin date for 1830. The reverse of the jewel bears the inscription “Honorable Testimonial of Masonic Charity and Benevolence Instituted by H:R:H: Aug Fred: Duke of Sussex M:W: Grand Master”.
Date: The medal is dated 1830.
Origin: Great Britain.
Artist: Unknown.
Weight and Size: The medal measures ~35 millimeters in diameter and weighs ~20.9 grams.
Maker: Unknown.
Marks: Plain edge with no markings.
Reference: BHM (British Historical Medals - By Laurence Brown) 1463.
Condition: I would grade the medal as a nice uncirculated. The medal is in great condition with no observable wear and retains most of its original luster with beautiful clear fields. It has a few scratches and display a die crack imprint at about 11:00 O'clock on the reverse. Other than that it is a great looking medal worthy of a spot in your collection of Masonic and Freemasons related collection. Please view photos for additional condition information and to appreciate the beauty of the medal.
