1887 Victoria Golden Jubilee Large Silver Medal

Veiled Bust Of Queen Victoria

The obverse of this large silver medal features a highly detailed left-facing bust of Queen Victoria wearing the Small Diamond Crown, elaborate jewellery, various decorations and a long lace veil in a nod to her decades-long state of mourning following the death of her consort, Prince Albert. This portrait was designed by Joseph Edgar Boehm, whose initials can be seen on Victoria's shoulder.

Allegorical Reverse Design

A complex allegorical scene appears on the reverse of this medal. The design centres on an enthroned figure, representing Empire, holding a sword and an orb, with two lions by her side. To her left is the personifications of Science, Letters and Arts, to her right Industry and Agriculture. At her feet is Mercury, reclining, accompanied by 'the Genius of Electricity and Steam'. Below this, five shields bear the names of the continents: 'ASIA', 'AMERICA', 'EUROPE', 'AUSTRALASIA' and 'AFRICA'. Above fly two cherubs holding a wreath that holds the entwined letters 'VRI' and clutching shields bearing the dates of Queen Victoria's accession (mdcccxxxvii) and jubilee (mdccclxxxvii) in Roman numerals. At the very top of the reverse is the word 'IN · COMMEMORATION'. This design is attributed to Boehm and the British painter and sculptor Frederic Leighton, 1st Baron Leighton.

Official Royal Mint 1887 Jubilee Medal

This 77-millimetre silver medal is one of several variants bearing the same design issued by The Royal Mint as souvenirs to mark Victoria's Golden Jubilee. As well as this official issue, a great number of unofficial medals were also struck with a great deal of variation in portrait and general design.